Clean or Replace the Engine Crankcase Breather?

[dtfeld]

Service manual says if these are not maintained on a "Regular Basis" , they will become clogged.

What is a regular basis" Once a month/year/oil change?

I'm getting a quote from cat for new ones, but thought I'd ask.

 

[marty51]

I clean mine at oil change. No need to purchase new ones.

 

[dtfeld]

How do you separate these? Do they screw off just like the other filters? Manual silent on that.

Also, what do you clean them in? Manual seems to indicate soaking them.

 

[marty51]

They come off easily...worm clamp as I recall. Wire filter so something such as brake cleaner will cut the oil residue. Dry thoroughly before reinstalling.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Deleted.

 

[JVM225]

Dave, here is the instructions I found for that task (now added to my list). They just specify a “non-flammable solvent”.

“1. Loosen hose clamp (1). Slide hose (2) from breather (4).

2. Loosen bolt (3). Remove breather (4) and O-ring seal.

3. Wash breather (4) in clean, nonflammable solvent. Allow the breather to dry.

4. Install a new O-ring seal.

5. Install the breather in reverse order of removal. Tighten bolt (3) to 7 ± 2 N·m (62 ± 18 lb in).

6. Slide hose (2) on to breather (4). Tighten hose clamp (1). Refer to the Torque Specifications.”

 

[dtfeld]

Thanks John! I guess I'll have to find that o-ring part #

 

[JVM225]

Thanks John! I guess I'll have to find that o-ring part #

Me too! Another rainy day road trip to my local Cat dealer.

 

[Bop]

I cleaned mine this week. A very simple process. Once you have the clamp loose you just wiggle the canister off. To put back on simply press down onto the male side. Make sure the clamp is seated properly when re-installing.

 

[JVM225]

We may be thinking of two different things here.
There is a “Vacuum Regulator Element” which gets removed, cleaned, dried, oiled, and re-installed just like the “Air Sep Element”
Then there is an “Engine Crankcase Breather” that Dave posted the graphic of.