Best Oil Catch Cans for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L

An oil catch can is one of the cheapest ways to keep the intake tract clean on a 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L, and the best oil catch cans for this truck bolt in without cutting a single factory line. The third-generation Tacoma runs Toyota's 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6 – 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque – paired with the D-4S dual-injection system. That engine sends oily crankcase blowby back through the intake, and over tens of thousands of Tampa miles that vapor coats the intake manifold and throttle body. A catch can traps that oil in a small reservoir before it ever reaches your intake. Below we compare five catch cans and air/oil separators we stock for the 3rd-gen Tacoma – from a $119.51 K&N to a $460.70 Radium dual kit – with real specs, prices, and install notes.

Does a 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L Need an Oil Catch Can?

A catch can is not required to keep a 3rd-gen Tacoma running, but it is a smart, low-cost way to keep oil out of the intake and slow carbon buildup on a high-mileage 3.5L. Every gasoline engine produces "blowby" – combustion gases and a fine oil mist that slip past the piston rings into the crankcase. The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system routes those vapors back into the intake so they get burned instead of vented to atmosphere. That is good for emissions, but it also means a steady stream of oil vapor is being deposited in your intake manifold, on the throttle plate, and on the backs of the intake valves.

Here is the honest nuance most blog posts skip: the 2GR-FKS uses D-4S dual injection – it has both port injectors and direct injectors. The port injectors spray fuel at the back of the intake valves and effectively wash them, so the 3.5L Tacoma does not suffer the severe valve-caking that plagues pure direct-injection engines. What a catch can does on this truck is keep that blowby oil from pooling in the intake tract, diluting your oil with fuel, and lowering the effective octane of the incoming charge. In our Tampa shop we routinely see the intake manifold on a can-less 3.5L visibly oil-coated inside by 20,000 miles. A catch can captures that oil in a jar you empty in five minutes instead.

PCV vs CCV vs Dual: How to Choose a Tacoma Catch Can

The right catch can depends on which crankcase line you tap and how complete you want the coverage. There are three approaches for the 2016-2023 Tacoma 3.5L, and understanding them is the whole decision:

PCV-side catch can

A PCV-side can installs between the PCV valve and the intake manifold, catching the oil vapor that engine vacuum pulls in during idle, cruise, and deceleration. This is the high-yield side – Tacoma owners consistently report the PCV line collects roughly 85% of the oil a catch can captures. If you only run one can, run it here. The K&N 81-0813 and the J&L Oil Separator 3.0 are both PCV-side units.

CCV-side catch can

A CCV (crankcase vent) can taps the fresh-air breather hose on the other side of the crankcase. It catches the oil, fuel, and moisture that move through that line under boost or high load. On a naturally aspirated 3.5L it collects less than the PCV side, but adding it closes the last gap in the ventilation circuit.

Dual catch can

A dual setup runs one can on each side – PCV and CCV – for complete crankcase coverage and the longest interval between drains. It is the most thorough and the most expensive option. The Radium Engineering Dual Fluid Lock kit is our pick here.

The Best Oil Catch Cans for the 3rd-Gen Tacoma 3.5L

Every kit below is a verified bolt-in fit for the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L (2GR-FKS) and uses OEM-style connections – no cutting, no drilling. We stock all of them at NLP Performance.

1. K&N Air/Oil Separator 81-0813 – Best Overall Value

The K&N Air/Oil Separator is the easiest way to get catch-can protection on a 3rd-gen Tacoma, and at $119.51 it is also the cheapest here. It captures oil from the PCV line into a high-capacity reservoir, uses factory-style hose connections that snap on and off, and installs in about 30 minutes with basic hand tools. Best of all, no tools are needed to check or empty the reservoir – you unclip it, dump it, and clip it back. Each unit is engineered for the specific vehicle and is backed by K&N's No-Hassle Lifetime Limited Warranty. For a daily-driven Tacoma, this is the set-and-forget choice.

2. J&L Oil Separator 3.0 – Best Billet Single Can

J&L (JLT) has been building oil separators for decades, and the Oil Separator 3.0 is the enthusiast favorite for the 3rd-gen Tacoma. It is a compact, solid billet-aluminum can with a 3 oz reservoir, a fine mesh stainless steel filter element, and a driver-side bracket that mounts it in a factory-clean location. It uses OEM-style quick-connect PCV fittings, so like the K&N it is a no-cut install. Choose the Black Anodized or Clear Anodized finish to match your engine bay. It is a step up in build quality and price from the K&N, and it is our pick if you want billet hardware without jumping to a full Radium kit. Note that J&L states this unit is not CARB-exempt and cannot be shipped to California.

3. Radium Engineering PCV Catch Can Kit (Fluid Lock) – Best Premium PCV

Radium Engineering builds arguably the nicest catch cans in the business, and the PCV kit targets the high-yield side of the 3.5L Tacoma's crankcase circuit. Each 7 fl-oz can uses two-step oil-separation baffling and an O-ring-sealed dipstick so you can check the level without opening the can. The standout feature is Fluid Lock – Radium's anti-overfill mechanism that traps collected fluid and keeps it from draining back into the engine if you go too long between services. Everything needed for a bolt-in install is included. If you only want one can and you want the best hardware, this is it.

4. Radium Engineering CCV Catch Can Kit (Fluid Lock) – Crankcase Vent Coverage

The Radium CCV kit is the companion to the PCV can, tapping the crankcase-vent (breather) side of the system. On its own it collects less than the PCV side on a naturally aspirated 3.5L, but it is the right pick if you have already covered the PCV line and want to close the loop, or if you tow heavy and want to keep moisture and fuel out of the breather circuit. It shares the same 7 fl-oz body, Fluid Lock anti-overfill design, and bolt-in hardware as the PCV kit.

5. Radium Engineering Dual Catch Can Kit (Fluid Lock) – Most Complete

The Dual Fluid Lock kit combines both the PCV and CCV cans into a single package, giving your 3rd-gen Tacoma complete crankcase-ventilation coverage. Both cans interface with their respective lines, catching oil that would otherwise reach the intake and dull performance. At $460.70 it is the most expensive option here, but it is also the only one that captures both sides – the right call for a built or heavily used 3.5L where you want maximum protection and the longest interval between drains. All parts for a bolt-in install are included.

Tacoma 3.5L Catch Can Comparison

Here is how the five catch cans and oil separators stack up for the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L. Rows are sorted from most affordable to most complete.

How to Install and Maintain a Tacoma Catch Can

Installing a single catch can on a 2016-2023 Tacoma 3.5L takes about 30 minutes with basic hand tools – every kit here uses OEM-style quick-connect fittings, so there is no cutting or splicing. You locate the PCV line, disconnect the factory quick-connect, route it through the can's inlet and outlet, and bolt the can to the supplied bracket. Dual kits take longer because you are plumbing both the PCV and CCV lines. If you are comfortable with a socket set you can do this in the driveway; if not, our Tampa shop installs them all day.

Maintenance is the whole point, so do not skip it. Check the can after the first 1,000 miles to learn how fast yours fills, then plan to drain it roughly every 2,500 to 3,500 miles – more often in stop-and-go Florida traffic, less on the highway. Empty the collected oil, and give the internals a thorough cleaning around every 15,000 miles. The K&N drains tool-free; the Radium cans use an O-ring-sealed dipstick so you can check the level in seconds. Never let a can overfill – that is exactly the failure the Radium Fluid Lock design is built to prevent.