Oil separator purpose?

[58Willys]

This thing is a mystery. I have a factory service manual that describes “description and operation” for most components; but nothing on this. I have a 3.6, so I can’t look at it to figure this out. Only thing I can guess is it’s part of the return flow to the crankcase, to keep frothy oil from the pickup; which can cause dry sumping and/or cavitation, causing loss of oiling.

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[Wes1980]

separated oil drops down into the oil pan if the crankcase itself has air moving around. The draining oil relies on simple weight. Because the oil separator is bolted directly to the side of the engine block, the oil accumulates on the baffle plates until it forms heavy droplets. Gravity pulls this heavy liquid downward through a dedicated drain passage that sits safely below the active windage and turbulent airflow of the upper crankcase

 

[TrailMax]

Well apparently a team of engineers thought this 2.0L Turbo engine needed an oil separator thingy, and apparently they did a pathetic job engineering the oil separator thingy, and apparently it's top secret why it's there.

After a handful of people in recent threads have pointed out how much the oil separators are leaking oil, in vehicles that aren't that old or with that high of mileage, I'm starting to think an oil separator delete is the best remedy. Maybe it's not that simple?

Is it possible the oil separator is part of the PCV setup? Can an oil catch can be mounted in place of it?

I don't think an oil separator delete would be a good idea, especially on the 2.0 Turbo since it is a GDI (gasoline direct injection). With a GDI, you don't have a fuel mixture going through past the intake valves to clean carbon build up and gunk - meaning you're going to have to go in there and clean your valves, walnut blast them, etc.

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