The F150 EcoBoost is a brilliant truck engine, but its direct-injection 3.5L and 2.7L V6 share one quiet weakness. Oil vapor from the PCV system gets pulled into the intake, bakes onto the back of the valves and intake tract, and slowly chokes airflow. Because fuel never washes the valves on a direct-injection engine, that carbon just keeps stacking up. A quality oil catch can sits in the PCV line, separates the oil from the air, and traps it in a small reservoir you empty during oil changes.
We looked at the catch cans EcoBoost owners actually run on F150s, trucks that tow, daily drivers, and tuned builds alike. We judged each on how cleanly it separates oil, how well it survives cold weather and heat soak, how easy it is to drain, and whether it is a true direct-fit or a universal can you have to plumb yourself. These are our seven picks, ranked best first.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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JLT 3.0 Oil Separator (Driver Side, F150 3.5L EcoBoost) Best Overall Direct-fit driver-side air-oil separator, 3 oz billet aluminum, vehicle-specific bracket and hoses |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit (F150 3.5L EcoBoost) Best Direct-Fit Kit Direct-fit baffled can, 50 micron bronze filter, 8 oz capacity, vehicle-specific hardware |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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UPR Products Plug N Boost Dual Valve Catch Can (F150 EcoBoost) Best for Tuned Builds Dual valve billet can, full boost and vacuum operation, vehicle-specific plug-and-play kit |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mishimoto Compact Baffled Oil Catch Can (Universal, 2-Port) Best Compact Universal Universal 2-port baffled can, 50 micron bronze filter, compact 60mm body, included mounting bracket |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Mann+Hummel ProVent 200 Oil Separator Best Heavy-Duty Filtration Coalescing filter separator, high oil-capture efficiency, integrated pressure regulation, OE-grade media |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Ruxing Universal Baffled Oil Catch Can (Aluminum, 2-Port) Best Value Universal Universal baffled aluminum can, internal filter and baffle, brass drain valve, mounting bracket included |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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EVIL ENERGY Universal Baffled Oil Catch Can (Aluminum, with Filter) Best Simple Setup Universal baffled aluminum can, internal screen and steel wool filter, twist-off drain, bracket included |
8.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. JLT 3.0 Oil Separator (Driver Side, F150 3.5L EcoBoost): Best Overall
JLT is the name that comes up first in almost every F150 EcoBoost forum thread, and for good reason. This is a vehicle-specific kit, not a universal can you have to adapt. The bracket bolts to a factory location, the hoses are already shaped to route cleanly, and the whole install takes most people under thirty minutes with hand tools. On the road it does the one job that matters most on a direct-injection engine, pulling oil mist out of the PCV stream before it can coat your intake valves with carbon. The internal bronze filter element and baffling separate fine mist that a hollow can would let slip right through.
The honest weakness is capacity. At three ounces, the reservoir is sized for a daily driver, not a truck that tows heavy in cold weather where blow-by climbs. If you tow often you will want to check and empty it more frequently than your oil change interval, otherwise it can fill and start passing oil through. Make absolutely sure you order the correct version for your year and whether you have the 3.5L or 2.7L, because JLT sells several similar looking kits. Get the right one and this is the catch can we would bolt on first.
- Vehicle-specific kit with pre-bent hoses and a bolt-on bracket for the EcoBoost
- Internal bronze filter media plus baffling for fine oil mist separation
- Clear or black billet body options with an easy thumb-loosen drain
Pros: True plug-and-play fit, no cutting or guessing hose routing; Catches a genuinely impressive amount of oil on direct-injection EcoBoost engines; Trusted name with Ford EcoBoost owners and proven over long mileage
Cons: Small 3 oz reservoir fills fast on towing or high-mileage trucks; You must confirm the exact part number for your year and engine
2. Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit (F150 3.5L EcoBoost): Best Direct-Fit Kit
Mishimoto builds this as a complete application-specific kit, which means everything in the box is meant for the EcoBoost. The can itself uses an internal baffle plus a 50 micron bronze filter so air has to change direction and pass through media before exiting, which knocks down the fine mist a simple empty can misses. The larger reservoir and built-in sight window are genuinely useful on a truck. You can glance at the oil level instead of pulling the can to find out, and the extra capacity means you are not draining it every couple of weeks if you tow.
Fit is solid but not easy on every truck. Depending on what else is crowding your engine bay, routing the hoses and seating the bracket can take patience, and a few owners reshape a hose slightly for the cleanest run. The can is also a little bulkier than a slim separator, which matters only if your bay is already packed. Those are small gripes against a kit that separates oil cleanly, looks the part, and carries a lifetime warranty. For most EcoBoost owners who want a true direct-fit, this is the one to beat after the JLT.
- Application-specific kit with model-matched brackets, fittings, and hoses
- Internal baffle and 50 micron bronze filter for two-stage separation
- Larger reservoir with a sight window to check oil level at a glance
Pros: Excellent build quality and finish, feels engineered not generic; Bigger catch capacity than most direct-fit cans suits towing trucks; Backed by Mishimoto's lifetime warranty
Cons: Bracket and hose routing can be tight depending on engine bay accessories; A touch bulkier than a compact separator
3. UPR Products Plug N Boost Dual Valve Catch Can (F150 EcoBoost): Best for Tuned Builds
UPR’s Plug N Boost is aimed squarely at the EcoBoost owner who runs a tune or drives the truck hard. The dual valve design is the key feature. A standard catch can mostly works while the engine is in vacuum, but a turbo engine spends real time in boost, and that is exactly when blow-by and crankcase pressure spike. This system keeps separating oil under boost as well as vacuum, so you catch the mist that a vacuum-only can would let through when you are on the throttle towing a grade or running a tune. The billet body and quick-release drain are clearly built for people who pop the hood often.
The trade-off is involvement. A dual valve setup has more parts and a little more to understand than a single hollow can, and you commit to a draining routine because a hard-driven EcoBoost produces more oil to catch. It is plug-and-play with factory style connectors so nothing is permanent, but it is a system you maintain, not install and forget. For a stock daily that might be more than you need. For a tuned 3.5L that sees boost regularly, this is the can that earns its keep.
- Dual valve design separates oil under both vacuum and boost
- Billet aluminum body with quick-release billet drain plug
- Plug-and-play kit using factory style connectors, no permanent cutting
Pros: Works under boost, ideal for tuned and heavily driven EcoBoosts; Heavy duty billet construction and clean machined finish; Quick-release drain makes emptying genuinely fast
Cons: Costlier feeling system to live with as a daily due to draining habit; Dual valve setup is more to understand than a single line can
4. Mishimoto Compact Baffled Oil Catch Can (Universal, 2-Port): Best Compact Universal
If your engine bay is tight or you want to choose exactly where the can lives, the compact Mishimoto is a strong universal option that shares the brains of the direct-fit version. Inside is the same internal baffle and 50 micron bronze filter, so it separates fine oil mist properly rather than acting as a hollow holding tank. The small 60mm body tucks into spots a full size can will not, and the included bracket plus universal ports let you build a tidy, custom routed setup on the EcoBoost PCV line.
Because it is universal, you are doing the plumbing. You supply the hose, pick the fittings, and work out a clean run to and from the PCV system, which takes more thought than a plug-and-play kit. The compact reservoir also means you check and drain it more often than a larger can. None of that is hard for someone comfortable under the hood, and the payoff is a small, well-built separator that does the real job. For owners who want quality internals in a package they can place anywhere, it is an easy recommendation.
- Compact baffled body fits tight EcoBoost engine bays
- Internal baffle and 50 micron bronze filter for fine mist capture
- Universal AN style ports with an included mounting bracket
Pros: Small footprint slots into crowded engine bays easily; Same proven baffle and filter design as the direct-fit Mishimoto; Flexible mounting and porting for a custom clean install
Cons: Universal fit means you supply hoses and figure out routing; Smaller reservoir needs more frequent draining
5. Mann+Hummel ProVent 200 Oil Separator: Best Heavy-Duty Filtration
The ProVent 200 comes from the filtration world rather than the bolt-on parts catalog, and it shows in how it works. Instead of just baffling air, it pushes the crankcase vapor through a coalescing filter element that captures extremely fine oil mist that simple cans pass straight through. It also has an integrated pressure regulating valve to keep crankcase pressure in check, which is genuinely thoughtful engineering. On a high blow-by or heavily worked EcoBoost, this is about as serious as oil separation gets on a street truck, and the element is replaceable rather than disposable.
The catch is that this is an industrial separator, not an F150 kit. There are no model-specific brackets or pre-bent hoses, so you fabricate a mount, source fittings, and plumb it into the PCV system yourself. It is also physically larger than a tidy billet can, so finding a clean home for it in the EcoBoost bay takes planning. For someone who wants the highest possible separation and does not mind a custom install, the ProVent is the most capable unit here. For a quick weekend bolt-on, look higher up this list.
- Coalescing filter media for very high fine-mist separation efficiency
- Integrated pressure regulating valve protects crankcase seals
- Heavy duty OE-grade build designed for diesel and high blow-by use
Pros: Class leading oil separation thanks to true coalescing media; Built to commercial standards for long, hard service; Replaceable filter element rather than just a hollow can
Cons: Universal industrial unit, needs a custom bracket and plumbing; Bulkier and less plug-and-play than a purpose-built F150 kit
6. Ruxing Universal Baffled Oil Catch Can (Aluminum, 2-Port): Best Value Universal
Not everyone wants to commit to a premium kit on a first catch can, and the Ruxing universal is the sensible value pick for trying one out on an EcoBoost. Despite the modest positioning, it is properly baffled with internal filter media, so it actually separates oil rather than just collecting whatever drips out. The aluminum body holds up to engine bay heat, the included bracket and fittings give you placement options, and the brass drain valve at the base makes emptying it a clean, tool-free job at oil change time.
You get what you pay for in fit and finish. This is a universal can, so you route your own hoses, confirm every connection seals tightly, and accept machining and anodizing that are a notch below the billet cans higher on this list. Some owners also swap the included hose for better quality line. None of that stops it from doing the core job on a daily driven EcoBoost, and for the money it catches a surprising amount of oil. As a no-fuss way to start protecting your intake valves, it earns its spot.
- Baffled aluminum body with internal filter media, not a hollow can
- Brass drain valve at the base for tidy, tool-free emptying
- Includes mounting bracket and fittings for a flexible install
Pros: Strong value for owners who want to test a catch can without a big outlay; Drain valve makes emptying clean and quick; Baffle and filter give better separation than a bare can
Cons: Universal fit, you supply routing and verify hose sealing; Build and finish are a step below premium billet cans
7. EVIL ENERGY Universal Baffled Oil Catch Can (Aluminum, with Filter): Best Simple Setup
The EVIL ENERGY can is the straightforward, approachable choice for an owner who wants to add a catch can to an EcoBoost without overthinking it. It is a baffled aluminum can with internal screen and steel wool media, a compact body, and a twist-off bottom that makes draining about as easy as it gets. You unscrew the base, pour out the captured oil, wipe it down, and reassemble, no special tools and no drain valve to fuss with. With the included bracket and fittings it goes in cleanly for most people in an afternoon.
It is honest about what it is. The steel wool and screen media catch oil well enough for a daily driver but separate less fine mist than the coalescing or bronze filter cans further up the list, so on a hard-driven or tuned truck you would feel the difference. The universal fittings sometimes want a wrap of thread sealant to seal perfectly, so check for weeping after install. Treat it as a simple, budget-friendly entry point rather than the ultimate separator and it delivers exactly that. For a stock EcoBoost daily, it is a reasonable, easy starting point.
- Internal baffle plus steel wool and screen media for separation
- Twist-off bottom for fast draining without tools
- Compact aluminum body with included bracket and fittings
Pros: Easy, approachable install for first-time catch can users; Twist-off base makes draining and cleaning simple; Lightweight compact body fits varied mounting spots
Cons: Basic filter media separates less fine mist than premium cans; Universal fittings may need thread sealant for a leak-free seal
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the F150 EcoBoost really need an oil catch can?
It is a very worthwhile upgrades on these engines. The 3.5L and 2.7L EcoBoost use direct injection, which means fuel is sprayed straight into the cylinder and never washes the back of the intake valves the way a port-injected engine does. Oil vapor pulled in through the PCV system bakes onto those valves and the intake tract as carbon, and over tens of thousands of miles that buildup can hurt airflow and drivability. A catch can intercepts that oil mist before it reaches the intake, so while it is not strictly required to keep the truck running, it directly addresses the EcoBoost’s best known long-term weakness.
Will installing a catch can void my Ford warranty?
A catch can on its own should not void your factory warranty. Under consumer protection rules a dealer generally cannot deny a claim simply because you added a part, unless they can show that part actually caused the failure. A properly installed catch can that only separates oil from the PCV stream is very unlikely to cause damage. The practical advice is to keep the install clean and reversible, avoid cutting factory lines where possible, and hold onto a stock configuration you can return to before any dealer visit. If you also run a tune, that is a separate matter the dealer may scrutinize more closely.
How often do I need to empty the catch can?
For most stock, daily-driven EcoBoosts, draining the can at every oil change is a sensible baseline. How fast it fills depends on how you drive, the weather, and capacity. Trucks that tow heavy, run a tune, or live in cold climates produce more blow-by and fill faster, sometimes well before an oil change. The safe habit is to check it often in the first few weeks after install so you learn your truck’s rate, then settle into a schedule. A can that overfills can start passing oil through, which defeats the purpose, so a quick glance under the hood is cheap insurance.
What is the difference between a direct-fit kit and a universal catch can?
A direct-fit kit, like the JLT or the application-specific Mishimoto, includes brackets, hoses, and fittings shaped and sized for the F150 EcoBoost, so it bolts to factory locations and the routing is figured out for you. A universal can is just the separator itself, and you supply the hose, choose fittings, fabricate or adapt a mount, and work out a clean route to the PCV system. Direct-fit kits cost a bit more in value terms but save hours and guesswork. Universal cans give you placement flexibility and tend to be friendlier on the wallet if you are comfortable doing your own plumbing.
Does a baffled catch can work better than an empty one?
Yes, and it matters more than most buyers expect. An empty hollow can only catches oil that condenses on its walls or drops out on its own, so a lot of fine mist sails straight through and into your intake anyway. A baffled can forces the air to change direction and slow down, and the better designs add filter media like bronze elements or coalescing filters that the mist has to pass through. That two-stage approach captures far more of the fine droplets that actually cause valve carbon. On a direct-injection EcoBoost, where stopping fine mist is the whole point, a properly baffled or filtered can is the right choice.
Our Verdict
For most F150 EcoBoost owners the JLT 3.0 Oil Separator is the catch can to buy first, because it is a true direct-fit, installs in minutes, and catches an impressive amount of oil with a name EcoBoost owners trust. Our runner up is the Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can Kit, which adds a larger reservoir, a handy sight window, and a lifetime warranty for owners who tow or simply want more capacity. If you run a tune or drive hard, step up to the UPR Plug N Boost so you keep separating oil under boost as well as vacuum. Whichever you choose, fitting any quality baffled can is one of the smartest long-term moves you can make to protect your EcoBoost’s intake valves.
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