I have done a search and read the thread which had much debate and little feedback. Let's set the record straight. Who has done it? Did you like it? Why? Did you not like it? Why? Also state how you did it; catch can, filter only etc.

 

I installed a catch can attached to the air pump bracket just in front of the washer reservoir. It never seems to catch anything but I'm waiting for colder weather to see if it cuts down on the remaining dipstick residue.

 

Get the recall done for the dip stick residue. That will solve the issue 100% I've done it.

 

Did it, caught absolutely nothing, not even a smidge, whether driving or tracking all day long. Took it off, silly urban legend that it does squat IMO, no surge in power, no nothing unless you perhaps have other more serious blo-by problems.

 

Going to bump this one as I have just spent a bunch of time cleaning out my throttle body and associated bits. Its the 2nd time its had to be done in 18 months, so I am installing a catch can and seeing if it helps.

 

I'm going to get a fuel catch can. I accidentally overfilled my oil one time and with hard driving, it caused a disaster in my intake...

 

I had a catch can installed in the summer. Everytime i checked, nothing is in there. The can is completely clean, only see a little bit of oil in the hose going into the can, that's it. That was in summer. Now, in the winter, i find there is all those brown/white looking stuff in the can, and also some on the dip stick. So, i would say it works for cold weather.

 

I've done the "breather" mod, not the catch can mod.

I can tell a change in throttle response. Simply put, the intake "feels" like it has one less vacuum to produce, giving you the sensation of quicker throttle response (and probably some). A couple of days before I did the "breather" mod, I changed my oil. That's the point of this breather mod is to remove the connection between the two. After changing the oil, I can feel a difference in throttle response also. The car feels slightly more sluggish, just the general opposite feeling you want. After getting that feeling (and realizing I do after every oil change), I figured the best way to remove the "sluggish" feeling from ever happening would be to remove the connection. After thinking that, I realized it's the same mentality I took with the flywheel, just trying to remove any sluggish feelings that were apparent. All mods are for that point.

 

I didn't think the mod was necessary until one day at the track I found my intake full of oil . Think it only happens in certain circumstances . IE when you are canning it and ambient temp is low .
Since installing the catch can I have had to drain about two tablespoons of oil out of it .
Yes it works - but not everyone will have a problem that requires you fit a catch can.

 

2006s and up have the redesigned PCV right?

 

yes - Mazda resolved the issue . Not sure of exact timing of the updated design .

 

Brettus could you feel a change in response with the PCV design?

 

I did the mod to stop oil getting in my intake .
I really think a lot of people are dreaming if they think a mod like this has any affect on performance .

 

Mine's an 06 and I got oil in my intake.

 

does yours have the updated design SE3P ?

 

How can I tell?

 

earlier models just have a hose going straight from the oil filler to the intake . later models have some extra stuff in there -not sure exactly what

 

I don't seem to have a hose going into the intake. Can someone that does take a picture and point it out? Mine's a March 2006 build.

 

I found the hose... apparently, it's not that secured either, it just pops right off. The hose goes from the oil filler to the intake manifold.

 

pic?

 

^yeah, I can't actually say I have ever seen this "catch can".

nvm. I did a search

 

was hoping to find something about "breather tanks", which separates air bubbles from the cooling system, but I only find stuff about the oil catch can.

Anybody have any links for a breather tank mod for the cooling system??
I didnt want to start a new thread...

 

I ended up putting a fully recirculating system on mine that feeds back into the sump.

As for the last question, get a thickish rubber hose the has to be squeezed into the overflow tank opening, then stick the top half of a plastic bottle into the top and fill up from that. This way you have raised the highest point for air to travel to.