[daztd]

I just installed an OCC and i know in the colder temps there will be more condensation build-up in the OCC. Will i have to worry about it freezing in the PVC lines coming in and out of the OCC? What about the condensation freezing in the OCC? I just drained my OCC after 1 week of driving and it seems to be mostly gas in there.....it appears to be gas with the foam stuff on top. I know you should drain it more often in the winter due to the condensation(weekly). I keep my car in the garage at home, so freezing isn't an issue there. But, when I'm at work the car is outside for 8hrs. Here in Chicago it can get very cold outside in the winter months. Should I worry about anything with the OCC in freezing temps? Thanks

 

[amp]

if its mostly fuel.. i wouldnt be concerned as the freezing point is considerably much lower than what you would encounter on a typical cold month in chicago..
if its pure water... then your looking at just 32F and below..

 

[black widow]

Last year i got some freezing issue at -10 so i will install an oil pan hearter pad on the OCC $35 shipped on Ebay so i will try this ....

 

[daztd]

Do u have the link to Ebay page to show me which oil pan heater u are talking about? Thanks.

 

[black widow]

Here an example , you can find some size and voltage .

Ebay item # 250712094867

 

[daztd]

UPDATED>>> Ok....just found out that the crap in my OCC was freezing up. First off, the stupid wing/butterfly drain thing sucks. It doesn't drain very well. It's best to use the screw plug wrapped in Teflon tape to seal everything up. I think it's time for a oil pan heater for the OCC.

Question....do you think mounting opt #1 is bad for cold months where freezing is an issue? Or is mounting opt #2 is better because it's closer to the engine and stays warm and never freezes?

 

[bova80]

if you are going to do an oil pan heater it would be best to get one you can turn on and off from in the car. if you have to plug it in like i know someone said they had then it just seems pointless to me as if you are that close to a plug you are probably already parking inside.

 

[daztd]

Bova.....have you ever had any issue with this?

 

[bova80]

not that i know of...i park in the garage and every time i empty it the stuff has come out. i usually empty it after driving since the hot crankcase air should melt anything in there if it is frozen. and if you empty it often enough every week to 2 weeks then it should never get high enough to cause a problem.

 

[daztd]

not that i know of...i park in the garage and every time i empty it the stuff has come out. i usually empty it after driving since the hot crankcase air should melt anything in there if it is frozen. and if you empty it often enough every week to 2 weeks then it should never get high enough to cause a problem.

Which mounting opt do u have Bova....#1 or #2?

Here's a quote from the Pontiac G8 club...."Ok, I'll bite. When you consider the design of the typical CC (steel wool/mesh filled...or nothing), for it freeze up such that it plugs it would almost have to be full or a funky installation where the water condensate pools in one of the lines. The exception *may* be the unit with the coalescent filters. I live in Northern VT where in the winter it will see -30 when parked outside. Now, granted it only sees the road for two or three weeks out of the winter (Xmas break and Feb break). I will say that during the winter there is more water in the CC, but I have not experienced any issues with PVC restriction.

Prior to installing mine, I did a good amount of googling on CC and did not see any references with respect to the PVC blockage freezing.

If you are concerned, then bypass it for the winter ... a double ended hose barb will work fine. "

^^^This is a good option^^^
​

 

[bova80]

mine is mounted on one of the horn brackets

 

[black widow]

Same mounting spot for me .

 

[black widow]

We have now (Montreal) -15 celcius outside so need minimum 15 minutes for the heater pad heat the crap out . Work great but you need a 110V outside plug .

 

[daztd]

How many watts is your heating pad? I'm about to check on the OCC after my drive home to see if things are frozen or a nice warm goo. lol

 

[daztd]

Wow....there was a lot of crap in there!! "IF" you have the butterfly/wing drain plug.....throw it away and just use the plug!!

 

[black widow]

Don't remember , i bought it last year , i think is 100W or 120W.

 

[daztd]

Ok, cool. I was thinking if I was to get one, it would buy the 50W or 100W.

 

[black widow]

I bought mine from this seller on Ebay , item # 250728993770

 

[micneill]

Okay I've run into this freezing issue. Managed with hair dryer and heater to empty the can. But i dont feel like laying on the ground every 4 days or so to make sure I don't mess shit up.
Couple questions. Has anyone put a oil pan or plug in heater on it? If so what's worked?
Also as long as its empty does it matter that's its probably freezing cold while I'm driving? It's located in the horn location.

 

[Final Impact]

Because the OP is still here, after all this time is there still a bunch of Gas in OCC? If so, Why? Can you sketch up a diagram of how its connected to PVC and intake? That seems crazy - yes it will smell like gas but NO it should not be gas. Just curious why this is happening much less why its full of water. Hmm.. .. ..