Supercharged Death Scare

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

bode@adelphia.net - 18 Apr 2006 12:31 GMT

I'm getting ready to take my 94 Buick Ultra from Ohio to Florida with
115K already on the motor. Yesterday, my tire mechanic listened to my
supercharger grumbling away and he said I needed to replace the
supercharger before my trip. That was bad enough news, but easy enough
to ignore until he said that if the supercharger self-destructed on the
trip it would deposit its parts in my engine, thus destroying my engine
too! That got my attention.

So I asked my other mechanic and he said he never heard of that
happening.

Question 1: I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of a supercharger
tying up an engine with its parts.

Question 2: Is it all right for my supercharger to make some noise, a
bit like someone was crushing ice in the next apartment over?

Reply to this Message

Al Bundy - 18 Apr 2006 13:30 GMT

> I'm getting ready to take my 94 Buick Ultra from Ohio to Florida with
> 115K already on the motor. Yesterday, my tire mechanic listened to my
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Question 2: Is it all right for my supercharger to make some noise, a
> bit like someone was crushing ice in the next apartment over?

The noise you describe sounds like bearing failure. You may already be
getting metal in the oil. I think your mechanic is giving you good
advice. When you know you have a failed part that will need replacing
soon, now is the best time. Of course, your mechanic would rather have
you spend money with him than on the road.
Bring the title with you on the trip so you can junk the car on the
road and make it a clean deal with the boneyard. Take a cab with all
your vacation stuff over to the nearest Greyhound site and continue the
trip. (Or rent a car)

Reply to this Message

Cool Jet - 18 Apr 2006 13:50 GMT

> The noise you describe sounds like bearing failure. You may already be
> getting metal in the oil. I think your mechanic is giving you good
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> your vacation stuff over to the nearest Greyhound site and continue the
> trip. (Or rent a car)

That paints a pretty realistic picture Al! *LOL* Good advice all 'round.

Reply to this Message

Paul79UF - 18 Apr 2006 21:32 GMT

Did you ever change or top off the supercharger oil?

:( sorry to hear that it's failing on you.

My supercharger has 70k on it and I had hoped to keep the car for a few
more years. I hope my s/c doesn't develop that sound.

You could probably find a low mileage s/c at the junkyard or on ebay. I
wouldn't bother buying a brand new one.

Reply to this Message

Mike Levy - 18 Apr 2006 21:42 GMT

>I'm getting ready to take my 94 Buick Ultra from Ohio to Florida with
>115K already on the motor. Yesterday, my tire mechanic listened to my
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>Question 1: I'm wondering if anyone has ever heard of a supercharger
>tying up an engine with its parts.

It's possible. Consider where it sits, on top of the engine. Clear
path through the intake with only the intake valves in the way. It's
a distinct possibility.

>Question 2: Is it all right for my supercharger to make some noise, a
>bit like someone was crushing ice in the next apartment over?

No. I'd suggest either taking the mechanics advice or another car on
the trip...

Reply to this Message

Steve W. - 19 Apr 2006 04:02 GMT

Sounds like a carrier bearing in the snout is going. IF it hasn't
damaged the rotors yet it can be repaired reasonably.

http://www.superchargersonline.com/repair/
http://www.gmusedparts.com/
http://www.rebuiltsuperchargers.com/

Signature

Steve Williams

> >I'm getting ready to take my 94 Buick Ultra from Ohio to Florida with
> >115K already on the motor. Yesterday, my tire mechanic listened to my
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> No. I'd suggest either taking the mechanics advice or another car on
> the trip...

Reply to this Message

Edwin Pawlowski - 19 Apr 2006 03:37 GMT

<bode@adelphia.net> wrote in message

> Question 2: Is it all right for my supercharger to make some noise, a
> bit like someone was crushing ice in the next apartment over?

Sure, just stay within walking distance of your house to be assured of
getting home every night.

Reply to this Message

Nomen Nescio - 20 Apr 2006 00:00 GMT

Studebaker went the Paxton supercharger route with the Avanti, then went
promptly out of business. Supercharged auto engines (and even pursuit
plane engine) will literally melt down at wide-open throttle too long.
That's why you don't see ANY Avantis around.

My experience with over-powered cars is you get behind the wheel and goose
the throttle a couple of times to see what it can do in the way of pickup
and then the novelty wears off, usually after about three or four gooses.
After that you follow behind the grandmas of the world just like everybody
else in that supercharged V-8 Behemoth, just ticking over.

Reply to this Message