Rattly Supercharger - No Oil

VX is in with Gav at Unit 4 to investigate noisy SC. 

 

I had assumed that the issue was just the drive doughnut, which is worn but Gav says it doesn't look too bad although the new doughnut does remove some play. 

 

More worrying is that there is no oil in the SC - where could it have gone and how much damage may have been caused? 

 

Plan is to fit the new doughnut and oil and see what happens. If this doesn't solve it what are my options? I believe the nose bearings are not replaceable - is that correct?

 

Is a full SC re-build an option?

 

Nose bearings are replaceable. They are just a stock ball race that is pressed in with a lip seal over the top. The lack of oil is more worrying. If its had no oil and the bearings are proper fooked (technical term) then you could have had a lot of play resulting in scraping of the rotors together or on the housing. Check for any scoring which may mean its scrapped. You may also have wear in the gears due to lack of oil. Check for rotor to rotor lash. I'm not sure if you can get these separately although they could be remade. It may be more economical to replace it in this case.

Just thought....
did you import the blower? They often have to be shipped dry of oil. Assuming there was some residual left in it then it would do a few k before it was fully dry. It may never have had its oil level filled whilst in the UK.

when the bearings fail the vacuum created by the SC sucks the oil into the engine, via the oil seals, which are no longer sealed due to the slight movement in the rotors caused by the worn bearings

Just thought....
did you import the blower? They often have to be shipped dry of oil. Assuming there was some residual left in it then it would do a few k before it was fully dry. It may never have had its oil level filled whilst in the UK.

I did think of that, but it was converted a couple of owners before me so has done 10s of k since conversion.

when the bearings fail the vacuum created by the SC sucks the oil into the engine, via the oil seals, which are no longer sealed due to the slight movement in the rotors caused by the worn bearings

Thanks vocky. Could this be caused by either set of bearings? Have you known this happen before?

I have replaced SC bearings several times, including the needle bearings inside the SC housing.

 

GM only made the LSJ engine between 2004 and 2007, most units are between twelve and fifteen years old, so having to replace the bearings is not unusual.

Can't you get a loaner M62 for the time being Foxy?
Should be plenty around with all those harrop conversions that started with an M62.

Can't you get a loaner M62 for the time being Foxy?
Should be plenty around with all those harrop conversions that started with an M62.

Was hoping that that won’t be necessary! ...but if anyone knows of one...?

i would lend you one but Rich has already borrowed one of me

 

i can get you another one though..

i would lend you one but Rich has already borrowed one of me

i can get you another one though..

Cheers Joe!

 

i can get you another one though..

 

Put the 4" pully on so i can finally catch him at Zandvoort

Edited by smiley, 16 April 2019 - 09:59 PM.

i can get you another one though..

Put the 4" pully on so i can finally catch him at Zandvoort

 

pull your finger out smiley

Just to close this off; fitted new coupler (and oil!) and all seems well. Performed perfectly at Cadwell, phew! 

Great news. It'll be interesting to see if the oil level drops slowly over time.

Is it possible to check the oil level in situ ?

Does the level not come to the bung in situ? ie you'd check it like a gearbox oil level

Does the level not come to the bung in situ? ie you'd check it like a gearbox oil level

Is that a definite for our use on z22se application ?

Does the level not come to the bung in situ? ie you'd check it like a gearbox oil level

Is that a definite for our use on z22se application ?

No, the supercharger angle is different. The correct, installed, level is below the bung hole. That much I know, but not sure how much below. I will refer this to John to complete!