How to Install an Oil Separator in Your 2024+ Mustang

Oil separators are incredibly useful modifications that help prevent oil blow-by from damaging your engine and reducing its efficiency. They do this by capturing the excess oil and gasoline mist, known as oil blow-by, in a reservoir after it's leaked past the piston rings and into the crankcase. Then, they condense that mist back into liquid form before recirculating it into the engine.

While they perform the same function as a catch can, oil separators are different because they recirculate that oil blow-by mixture back into the engine. Catch cans condense oil blow-by and then store it until you empty the reservoir. Both oil separators and catch cans are extremely effective mods that shouldn't be confused.

Check out the video below for a how-to video with more information.

How to Install an Oil Separator in Your 2024 Ford Mustang

In this installation guide, we'll walk you through how to install an oil separator onto your S650 Mustang. Oil separators are perfect for enthusiasts looking to maintain engine health. Without an oil separator, oil blow-by can accumulate and lower the octane of your fuel, causing premature detonation and eventually engine knock.

We're installing a J&L Oil Separator kit onto our 2024 Mustang, but the process is largely the same with any brand or model besides a few small differences.

Tools Needed

• Socket Wrench
• 10mm Socket
• Phillips head Screwdriver

Step 1: Remove Engine Cover

Gently pull up with both hands on the corner of the engine cover until it releases from the four rubber grommets holding it in place.

Step 2: Disconnect PCV Line

Locate the PCV line connected to the PCV valve. Then, disconnect it from the PCV valve and intake until it's completely removed.

Step 3: Fasten the Oil Separator Bracket

Line the logos up on the bracket and the oil separator. Then, screw the supplied screws into place on the bracket with a Phillips head screwdriver.

Step 4: Remove Oil Separator Mounting Stud

Use your socket wrench and 10mm socket to remove the stud found on your coolant overflow tank.

Step 5: Disconnect Driver's Side PCV Line (Optional)

Disconnect one end of the driver's side PCV line and move it out of the way to make installing the oil separator easier.

Step 6: Route Oil Separator Hoses

Route the longer hose coming from the oil separator under the coolant line and IMRC hose pictured below. Then, route the shorter hose underneath the evap solenoid.

Step 7: Connect Your Oil Separator Hoses

Push the intake connection into place first. Then, connect the longer hose to the PCV valve. If you're having trouble getting the fitting into place, rotate the fitting until it's pointing in the correct direction, and then connect it.

Step 8: Reconnect Driver's Side PCV Line (Optional)

If you disconnected the driver's side PCV line in Step 5, reconnect it now.

Step 9: Mount the Oil Separator

Mount the oil separator onto the coolant overflow tank. Then, use your 10mm socket and socket wrench to secure it into place using the stud you removed earlier.

Step 10: Reinstall Engine Cover

Align the four ball studs on the underside of the engine cover with the four grommets on the intake manifold. Then, push it into place.

Congratulations, you're all done!

A Simple Install Sure to Make a Difference

Adding an oil separator to your 2024 Mustang is a simple job that makes a big difference in the reliability of your engine. Keep in mind that you will need to check the oil separator after the first 1000 miles to determine how much oil it accumulates over that time span. Then, check it every couple thousand miles or whenever you change your S650 Mustang's oil. Coyote engines since 2011 have typically returned about an ounce of oil every 1000 miles. Depending on the capacity of your oil separator, you'll need to empty it accordingly.