Well, this seems like a weird issue to have, in my opinion. Anyway, about a year ago, i bought and installed a Driven Fab catch can/expansion tank. Every other week or so, id remove the breather filter and inspect the contents of the tank. The only thing i ever saw, was a very small amount of oil and sludge. So little in fact, the supplied hand pump couldnt even suck it out. Around August, I chose to remove the metal vent baffles on the end of the hood, to get full venting. About 2 months passed and i neglected to check the contents of the catch can, mainly because my dip stick always showed correct oil levels, and prior experience gave me a good indication of what id find inside. One random day, i decided to pull the filter off and take a look. I was shocked to find that it was full to the brim with a brown liquid that i originally took to be oil. As you can imagine, by heart dropped into my stomach and a general feeling of terror swept over me. I quickly gathered up a clear 2 liter bottle, and the hand pump to get the liquid out. As i began pumping, i was perplexed to see that the liquid was clear. Other than a very slight hue of brown, presumably caused by the tiny amount of oil that it normally gets, the liquid was straight up clear water. So ive been trying to figure out how the hell regular water is managing to get into the catch can. Obviously theres nothing in the engine that uses straight water. The cooling system is running a 50/50 mix of the green stuff, and the oil is full. My only guess is that its somehow making it in through the hood vent. I just cant understand how its able to flow down the hood, into the vent, down onto the vertical element filter, and into the catch can, enough to fill it with like 32oz of straight rain water, over a couple of month period. Im on the east coast, and there hasnt been like an extreme amount of rain. Plus, im always cautious when im washing the car, not to let a bunch of water pour into the vents. Id prefer not to put the hood vent baffles back on, but its looking like i may have to. It just seems crazy that water is getting there. With the hood shut, you can look into the passenger side vent, and see whats directly under it, and the catch can filter isnt even directly under it! However, that is my only guess as to its origins. I know without a doubt its water too. I smelled it, and i checked every other fluid system in the engine bay just to verify nothing was low. The car has a SSP, aluminum skid tray and factory fender liners with one side slightly cut to promote airflow through the side oil cooler, but thats it. No other areas for water to enter that i can see. Has anyone ever heard of such insanity, or experienced it first hand?!?! Id be much interested in knowing if anyone has any additional theories about this. Maybe even a suggestion as to how it could be fixed, other than bolting the vent baffle back on. BTW, im running the full DF kit, with the steel braided AN lines, going to a metal valve cover, with the PCV valve eliminated. Then theres just the two silicone, coolant overflow/expansion hoses that go into the lower right side of the catch can. There shouldnt be any vacuum pulling through that breather filter, or any suction type force that would aide in pulling water in, other than gravity, so its got me baffled. Anyway, thanks for reading this, and leaving any type of response. Peace my dudes!
-WILL

 

It's pretty normal when the weather gets colder for a lot of water vapor to condense in a catch can. It happens most when the car is warming up so if you do a lot of short drives or drive repeatedly during the day when the weather is cold you're going to collect more than if you only commute in the car. Just keep it empty and carry on!

 

Cold weather, it's water vapor. Nothing to be concerned about.

 

Gasoline combustion gases are about 50% water by volume. Some passes by the piston rings and condenses in the catch can. Maybe you can locate it closer to the engine to keep it warm?

 

Careful, mine froze up and I burned 2 quarts of oil in 2 miles of low speed limping to a shop. The pressure fed back into my turbo drain and just pumped it into the turbine and compressor.

 

Cool. I appreciate everyone who posted an answer. The water vapor due to heat/cold, definitely makes sense. Its a lot more logical than it coming in through the hood vent. Ive been checking it and draining the water pretty regularly since i discovered its presence. I dont want it freezing up in the can like Warhawker's did. Doesnt sound like a great time. Thanks again guys.
-WILL

 

How do you like their catch can? I ordered one from them last November and it still hasn't shipped yet lol :/ Messaged them and they said they just moved locations and are working to get back up and running.

 

LOL... waiting months for a catch can. 100% **** that.

 

I've wanted one for so long but that wait time....smh zi've been looking for a good condition used one.