3.8L Supercharger Noise

[Linux Doctor]

I have a 1998 Buick Regal GS with the 3.8L SC engine. It has 50k miles.
At idle, I get a clanking which is clearly coming from the supercharger.
This is a new occurrence (about two months). The noise disappears as I
come off idle. It's worse at low idle (such as turning the steering wheel
when stopped, or running the A/C). Is 50k miles a typical wear-out
mileage for the supercharger? (SC oil has been checked and topped
regularly by the dealer). This car is a creampuff and has been babied by
my wife.

Is the supercharger a serviceable unit, or is it generally replaced
in-whole? What would a dealer's typical charge be for this replacement?
I know Joe's backyard garage can save me some $$$, but my wife wants
dealer service.

Thanks! Neall

[newsgroup]

I have a SC unit on my car and it has about 4 times higher than your
mileage. When you drive the car, does run properly? Unfortunately the SC is
not serviceable. You will have to replace it as a whole unit. 50K miles to
me is very low. I would have your car properly inspected by GM service
dealer before consider replacing SC unit as it is expensive. Perhaps
someone here could comment as how to inspect the SC unit while still on the
car (that is if it is the SC unit which I doubt it). I have been told to
remove the SC belt and rotate the shaft manually to check for
rotation/binding ..

"Linux Doctor" <NOSPAM...@haughtmail.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.60.04...@unhtugznvy.pbz...

[Harry Face]

Check Magnuson Products on the web they have parts for the Eaton
Supercharger. Others have posted that nose cone bearings are replaceable
( if that is your problem ).

I've heard a new unit from the dealer can run as high as $2500.

This is what is slowing me up in buying a new car with a supercharger -
the high replacement cost.

I wish GM had an engine with as much HP & TQ as the other manufacturer's
with similar size engines, without having to add a supercharger.

Good Luck.

=========
Harryface
=========

1991 Pontiac Bonneville LE
3800 V6 ( C ), Black/Slate Grey
_~_~_~284,090 miles_~_~_

~_~_~_~_U.S.A._~_~_~_~_~_

~~~The Former Fleet ~~~
89 Cavalier Z 24 convertible
78 Holiday 88 coupe
68 LeSabre convertible
73 Impala sedan

[vince markarian]

The only engine that can compete with the other manufacturers is the
Cadillac/Buick 3.6L DOHC
which is used in the Cadillac CTS and will be used in the Buick Allure/La
Crosse but the output will be 240 not 255 like it is in the CTS.
The Northstar engine is only equipped with cars that cost more than $40K US.
GM is starting to phase out the 3.8L SC engine in the bonneville and the new
regal (allure/la crosse).
The 3.8L N/A is not good enough to compete with the others in 2004. It was
good enough till 2001 and then the competition improved while GM still
hasn't updated it to produce any more hp.

"Harry Face" <harr...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:2909-40F...@storefull-3118.bay.webtv.net...

[Linux Doctor]

Hello again.

Several mechanics have confirmed my "can of marbles" is coming from the
nose area of the Eaton supercharger on my '98 Buick Regal.

For those who have done the entire nose cone replacement (I don't plan to
push out bearings, but instead replace the whole nose cone unit)... just
how complicated is it? Can someone who has done it give me some feedback
on this? I might order the assembly from Magnuson and try it myself, if
it's a reasonable DIY job. Thanks. Neall

[Linux Doctor]

At idle, the SC was really rattling up a storm, about the time the
Magnuson nose cone assembly arrived via UPS. Upon inspecting the part, I
realized (as they'd said on the phone) that it requires complete
supercharger removal. This is necessary not only due to the limited
clearance for nose-only removal, but also the silly base gasket
configuration, whereby the base gasket extends beyond the base of the main
supercharger unit, underneath the nose cone assembly, too. Remove the
nose cone, and "rip" there goes the gasket. Yes, the mechanic tried that
approach first.

Never mind the car only has 50k miles. It had to be done, and there was
no time to sulk. I found a trusty mechanic willing to do the job. He'd
done hundreds of 3.8L manifold R&Rs, but not a supercharger. He has his
own shop, is Master ASE certified, and was up to the task.

Now, $310 later (nose cone), plus $50 (2-day delivery) and another $300
labor, the unit sings like a bird, at less than half the cost of a full
dealer replacement. Lucky me.

It all boiled down to that goofy disc-like coupler that went between the
nose assembly and the main unit. Plasticy (or nylon) in make-up, it
resembles a fat poker chip (and probably similar in quality). A few holes
drilled through it allow it to slide onto the tines of the nose assembly,
while additional holes accept the tines from the main unit, from the back
side, while assembling the nose cone onto the main unit.

All in all, a Mickey Mouse approach to SC drive train coupling, though I
have to assume that the coupler is plasticy so that it shatters apart in
the event of a catastrophic SC blade seizure. It sits in the nose cone
area, away from the induction side of the unit, such that its failure
would save the engine from ingesting schrapnel in the event of a seizure.

At any rate, FIXED, at a reasonable cost, thanks to a great mechanic
(James Bracken, owner of Advantage Auto in Albuquerque), and the wonderful
folks at Magnuson Products in Ventura, Ca. There IS a God. Neall