View Full Version : Isn't this gimik similar to what an egr does?
tbaleno 08-12-2006, 10:12 PM One of the google ads on this site is for this company. Looking at the stuff it looks like it does something similar to what an EGR valve does? Anyone seen devices similar to this? I was thinking of starting a known usless gimik thread.
http://www.condensatorsales.com/html/what_s_a_condensator_.html
tigerhonaker 08-13-2006, 10:17 AM Hmmm???????????????? :confused:
tiger
psyshack 08-13-2006, 01:39 PM Thats a catch can. And thats all it is.
there is some merit to catching the heavy HC's from the crank case blow by and not burning them.
FE/MPG it has no maerit at all.
hobbit 08-13-2006, 05:45 PM I was just reading about a month ago how someone had installed
a "catch-can" for his PCV hose -- basically one of those little
oil traps for air compressors. There was some benefit or other
stated, and unfortunately I don't remember where I was reading
this... but having just pulled and inspected my throttle body
and PCV hoses [yes, there are two in the Prius] and found everything
quite clean, I'm not too worried about it. One fairly clear
confirmation is that by keeping the oil level slightly below
the full mark [as Toyota tends *not* to during oil changes that
they do] greatly reduces the amount of oil that flies up the PCV
system and ultimately lands in the bottom of the manifold common
chamber as that "oil sump" many people have noticed. Mine has
virtually disappeared and I wiped out the last of it with a
napkin two days ago.
.
_H*
condisales 05-25-2007, 12:24 PM Hello,
I'm Tom from the company that manufactures and sells the Condensator.
I'm writing on your forum to answer this thread.
The Condensator is more than a catch can, there is a separator basket which will separate light distillates or Naptha from the heavy hydrocarbons.
We have quite a bit of data indicating a drastic reduction in CO and hydrocarbons from the exhaust. The range of reduction is sometimes in the high 90's in percentages of reduction.
CO and Hydrocarbon reduction is an indication of more complete combustion.
There has been one scientific test (fleet of vehicles, track, burroughs mileage tester) A/B type testing.
The resutls were conclusive - the fitting of a Condensator will aid in the reduction of fuel consumption, the highest percentage was 27.97% the fleet average was 15.63%. The test was conducted by the US Navy. Fleet emissions on this test resulted in a drop of 75%. Various fleet managers have reported similar findings.
At any rate, the end result is less carbon - more miles.
Dismissing gadgets such as this as snake oil is a normal reaction to gas saving. Officially nothing works, or the manufacturers would already be using it. Some closer examination might prove benficial.
We've installed around 10,000 units last year, more than a few on hybrids. The collection canisters fill with heavy hydrocarbons just as a non-hybrid. However the emissions will be much better on one fitted with a Condensator. Some owners have reported gains, however their gains do not seem to fit our typical results. For instance, gains in city driving, none on highway and some gains on highway but not city.
Keeping the heavy hydrocarbon vapors out of the combustion chamber eliminates carbon residue. Oil does not burn very well and the introduction of the crankcase vapors impedes combustion. Further - what does not burn remains as soot and carbon particles. This material will eventually degrade the engine and reduce the efficiency of exposed sensors and the catalytic convertor. The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation system) will also be kept cleaner as the reduction in the exhaust emissions will be cleaner.
At any rate, no intrusion meant, nor an attempt for solicitation.
All The Best,
Tom
brick 05-25-2007, 01:57 PM So, it sounds like the supposed benefit comes from keeping the intake path and combustion chamber free of gunk? I still don't see how that would add up to a 15% improvement in fuel economy, particularly when applying this device to a relatively new vehicle that should be pretty much free of buildup to begin with.
tbaleno 05-25-2007, 02:37 PM condisales, I am glad you posted on this thread to give feedback about your product. It is good to see an owner of a company discuss their product vs just posting a link to their site.
donee 05-26-2007, 11:03 AM Hi All,
I made something like this for my brother's VW Scirocco (late 70's vintage). It had a problem with PCV blowby fowling up something or other - do not remember for sure - probably the plugs. Apparently the valve seals were shot, and he was not going to get a head job. By catching the oil blow out of the head in the contraption, he was able to run the car for a few more years, until he saved up the money for a new Scirocco (a 16V - which lost the timing belt at 40,001 miles - service spec was 40,000 miles). My version was fabricated from aluminum coil cover (from a WWII military radio), using stainless steel wool. We could pop off the cover, and dump out the oil into the recycle container.
condisales 05-29-2007, 11:41 AM tbaleno,
Please clean out your PM folder - it's full.
I also forget to mention the EGR system is completely different the than the PCV. The EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. A portion of the engines exhaust is returned to the combustion chamber - the intent is to change the temprature of combustion in order to reduce emissionsof Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX). Most people first learn of the EGR system when the EGR valve sticks and they mileage is affected.
At any rate the Condensator intercepts and separates raw crank case gasses which pass through the Positive Crankcase Ventilation system (PCV).
brick: Higher mileage is achieved by keeping the heavier vapors out of the combustion process. Air and fuel are supposed to be the only two components of combustion, motor oil impedes the process. Remove the heavier components from the mixture - voila better combustion.
Also it makes no difference if the engine is new, or old. They ICE will always produce blow-by. We recently had a fellow bring us his 2006 Civic hybrid, we installed the Condensator at 1,700 miles. The pint collection jar at 22,000 miles was nearly full.
Lastly, The Condensator is a bit more than a simple catch-can. The separator is what makes the main difference.
All The Best,
Tom
tbaleno 05-29-2007, 12:12 PM PM folder cleaned (a little) I should just increase its limit ;)
How about sending one to me for review? I assume it is simple to install? If you want to send one in for review PM me and I'll give you the details where to send it. I will promise to give a fair review.
condisales 05-29-2007, 01:43 PM tbaleno
PM Sent
BailOut 05-31-2007, 12:30 AM Tom/condisales,
I, too, thank you for taking the time to speak with us about your product rather than trying for the odd blind sale, even if your user name made me think I could rent Condi Rice for a while. However, I have a hard time agreeing that a $180 unit like yours, whose only claim to fame is separating out the lighter materials and letting them through, is worthwhile when compared to something like this: http://yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5294
Whether you catch just the heavy stuff or all of the stuff coming through the PCV the end emissions result is the same, and considering we're looking at just one teaspoon of total capture for 300 miles driven (which for me is 6 gallons of fuel) there could not be any appreciable MPG gain.
As such, what possible justification might you have for your cost of $180 vs. the $30 for a DIY catch can?
tbaleno 05-31-2007, 01:15 AM In fairness to him, you are comparing the results of a home made can to something that may have been fine tuned over time and may do a better job.
Time will tell. I am really looking forward to reviewing this product and giving it an honest evaluation. I'm still on the skeptical side, but the fact condisales seems to be standing behind his product gives me some hope that his product works as advertised.
BailOut 06-09-2007, 12:13 AM I just wanted to let everyone know that I made my own catch can with parts from Home Depot for less than $20. I used a Husky air compressor fuel filter and a pair of 3/4" thread-to-pipe connectors, as mentioned in the DIY I linked in my last post. The flip valve at the bottom of the filter's jar was more loose than I cared for, so I made a stop for it using 10mm of drip sprinkler tubing and a "goof plug" (a small plastic spike used to plug holes in flexible sprinkler lines).
1) Small Husky fuel filter: $12
2) 2 3/8" pipe fittings: $4
3) Drip sprinkler: $1.50
4) Sprinkler goof plugs: $2
Total: $19.50
After 500 miles about 3ml has been captured in it.
How anyone would think getting the lighter half out of that 3ml for feeding into the throttle body would boost FE at any kind of helpful, noticeable or measurable level is beyond me. How anyone would think that would be worth close to $200 is completely unreal.
psyshack 06-09-2007, 10:13 AM I just wanted to let everyone know that I made my own catch can with parts from Home Depot for less than $20. I used a Husky air compressor fuel filter and a pair of 3/4" thread-to-pipe connectors, as mentioned in the DIY I linked in my last post. The flip valve at the bottom of the filter's jar was more loose than I cared for, so I made a stop for it using 10mm of drip sprinkler tubing and a "goof plug" (a small plastic spike used to plug holes in flexible sprinkler lines).
1) Small Husky fuel filter: $12
2) 2 3/8" pipe fittings: $4
3) Drip sprinkler: $1.50
4) Sprinkler goof plugs: $2
Total: $19.50
After 500 miles about 3ml has been captured in it.
How anyone would think getting the lighter half out of that 3ml for feeding into the throttle body would boost FE at any kind of helpful, noticeable or measurable level is beyond me. How anyone would think that would be worth close to $200 is completely unreal.
Im with you Bailout
Ive used catch cans on V8's and V6's in the past with great success. And I need to build up some for my current 4 bangers. IMHO that muck you are seeing in your catch can is the stuff that varnishes out your intake tract. Makes for the huge deposits on the backside of valves and plugs CAT's. As a long term auto maint. tool I think they are great! But as a spot on mpg increaser. Snake oil! If it was such a break thru. Im sure there would be one on every car sold world wide.
psy
tbaleno 06-09-2007, 12:58 PM well, stay tuned for a review of this product. I haven't had a chance to put it in my car yet, I have to find a good mounting point and figure out where the hoses go. The instructions are kind of generic, but my understanding is that it has something to do with intake manafold and crankcase.
I have basic knowledge of engines but it might take me some time.
If anyone in the chicagoland area wants to help me with this then let me know.
psyshack 06-09-2007, 04:34 PM Tom
Find the PCV valve. then follow the hose to where it goes. Then find a mounting place for the unit. Then extend the hose's to your mounting area. Call it done. and say hello to your over priced catch can.
psy
tbaleno 06-09-2007, 10:08 PM now, what does a pcv valve look like ;)
SlowHands 06-11-2007, 01:02 PM Tom,
I can give you a hand if you still need it
psyshack 06-11-2007, 01:27 PM Tom just needs to go to a treatment center for addiction to Wii. Then he will find the right hose's and mounting spot.
:)
Hi Jeff:
Tom just needs to go to a treatment center for addiction to Wii. Then he will find the right hose's and mounting spot :)
___That is our Tom alright :D
___Good Luck
___Wayne
tbaleno 06-11-2007, 03:40 PM Mostly I need motivation and hand holding. Ask wayne about my egr install. Simple as could be, but without him I couldn't have done it ;)
Are you near the northside of chicago slowhands? Shouldn't take more than an hour I'm thinking.
SlowHands 06-11-2007, 10:21 PM Straight west of you near Oakton (Elk Grove Village)
Harold 06-12-2007, 12:26 AM What do you do with the collected material?:rolleyes:
BailOut 06-12-2007, 12:34 AM What do you do with the collected material?:rolleyes:
I put it into my oil recycling containers, along with the crankcase and gear oils, which I empty into the collection barrels at my local Kragen store. Jiffy Lube also accepts recycling drop-off but they are further away from me.
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