***IMPORTANT INFORMATION***
IF YOU HAVE A MANN + HUMMEL PROVENT CATCH CAN INSTALLED (or if you plan on installing one). The ProVent 200 from MANN+HUMMEL has been redesigned.
What’s changed?
The Over Pressurisation Valve (OP Valve) in the ProVent 200 is to prevent over pressurisation of the crankcase vent system in the event of the separation element becoming blocked.
Previously the OP Valve was located within the inner lid, which sits within the ProVent Cap. Now it’s been converted so that the OP valve is integrated within the replacement element base.
Why has it been modified?
Due to environmental regulations catch cans can no longer “vent to atmosphere”.
In the previous ProVent 200 design the outlet valve allowed gases from the crankcase to vent to atmosphere.
Venting these gases is a necessary safety precaution so that pressure doesn’t build up too high in the engine crankcase. If pressure builds up this could to engine oil seals leaking.
While the need for over pressure protection is necessary, environmental regulations has urged Mann + Hummel to redesign their popular ProVent 200. Now, instead of releasing pressure through the cap and venting the gases into the atmosphere the new design has a valve in the bottom of the replacement element instead. If the element does not allow gases to flow freely and pressure builds up, in the new design the valve opens and allows the gases to flow back to the intake system of the engine unfiltered.
What this means is that the engine gases would cycle back into the engine as if the catch can was not present. The new style catch can is known as the I.V. version (internally vented) due to its new OP valve function. Cycling these gases back into the engine will not pose any significant damage.
The pressure relief valves for both styles are set to 50 millibar and operate the at certain engine rpm’s due to the pulsing of the engine crankcase. Under high loads when there is a large draw of air from the turbo it will also close off to stop air being drawn in through the engine seals, especially the crankshaft and cam shaft seals. If this valve was not present dirt could be drawn in through these seals. On certain vehicles the catch can is mounted near the fire wall so the driver may hear a vibrating or buzzing noise – this is normal operation of the Pressure Control Valve (PCV).
How does this affect you?
Mechanically this will not be an issue to you. As previously mentioned, instead of venting to atmosphere the gases will now be vented to the intake system of the car instead. However, if you have a catch can already installed there will be some changes when it is time to replace the element.
Firstly, a new style ProVent replacement element can be used in an old housing but an old style replacement element can not be used in a new housing. So when ordering a replacement element it is important to check that you are ordering a new, upgraded ProVent I.V. (internally vented) element. There is a conversion kit available for older style catch cans. It is the same price as purchasing a standard element and will include both a new replacement insert for the inner lid as well as the new replacement element vented at the bottom. This will involve removing old ProVent cap insert with the OP valve and replacing it with the new cap insert prior to inserting the newly designed element as shown in the video below.
The most important thing to remember is that
Maintenance of the catch can is critical:
DRAIN THE CATCH CAN EVERY 5,000km
and replace the element every 40,000km
If any ProVent catch can is not serviced as recommended the element becomes blocked and the valve will vent the gases externally on the old style and internally on the new style. Theoretically the elements should last 80.000k’s, but due to egr systems the carbon content in the engine vapours can cause the elements to block sooner so the recommendation is to replace the element every 40.000k’s and Drain the Catch can every 5,000km.
For further information please contact a Diesel Care technician on 1800 880 150.