All I heard was the noise of a high pressure air hose.

[len3.8]

After, letting the car sit for a couple of hours. The car had gone on a rather hard 160 mile early morning jaunt. The car was running very well this morning. No hiccups or anything. Smooth and fast. Made it to the Ferrari event to hang out a little with car buddies. Watched my daughter tag 2 HR and pitch 2 shut out innings in her allstar game. That was the good part of the day.

Here's the bad part. I am cruising at about 25-30mph max.
And I hear what sounds like a high pressure air hose blow. Then I hear that Famous belt slipping sound and the car dies. Next, after thinking it was the radio. I tried to start the car again, only to hear the shrieking sound of a belt. After getting my wife to turn around and come back for assistance. I had her turn the car over and noticed that nothing in the belt line was turning at all.
I haven't tried to start it again, I don't want to damage anything.

I am wondering if something siezed up. Maybe the supercharger had something to do with the loud air discharge noise.
Did the AC sieze? Alternator?

Has anyone experienced anything like this?
God I hope it's not the Supercharger. This car is really pushing my buttons. Spending an awful lot of $$$$. I had it towed home instead of to the STEALERSHIP, I am hoping it's something that I can tackle.

Any input or thoughts will be considered and appreciated.
Len

 

[4AU4LIFE]

How many miles are on the car???
BTW, what kind of SC?
No unusual sounds prior to this happening?

 

[len3.8]

Car is a 95 Miles on the car roughly 47k.
Supercharger = Comptech. Only about 7k on the Supercharger.
Just the normal Comptech sounds at idle, other than that smooth.
Len

 

[matteni]

Hey Len,

Sorry I didn't get to run with your group, sorry I didn't get to catch up with you more at Gateway, and REALLY sorry about the car.

I have had a compressor go bad and it might have caused what you are talking about. Did you have the AC on when this happened? Did you hear any "gear" sounding noise? Also any CELs?

With mine - I thought I had the snap ring problem as I only felt it in gear and the noise seemed to go up and down with revs. Finally it locked up and I was out $800 in parts and $250 in labor.

The good news is - there are probably some decent used ones out there somewhere and it is relatively easy to replace assuming the belts are all still fine.

You may want to look for any fluids around the car, check them all, hand check your belt tightness, check for any fluids on them, etc.

Then maybe you want to try to turn off the AC and see if it will start to see if it might be the compressor (still could be the compressor clutch too). Only good thing I can think to tell you is Import Specialists is finally back in commission and maybe Bob and Larry can take a look for you.

They have the same phone number and here is the directions to the new place from Bob:

"To get here take 70 west to Mid Rivers Mall exit. Go to Mexico Road and make a left. Go about 1 mile (3 lights) to Spencer. Go right to first stop light and turn left. This is Boone Hills Dr. Go to top of hill and we're the second driveway on the left. "

Real sorry again - hope this turns out to be a quick and easy one to sort out. Sounds like your little girl had a great day and a proud daddy to be there so as a good friend keeps telling me - don't sweat the small stuff and this is all small stuff.

 

[len3.8]

The drive was pretty cool. Little traffic a lot of fun. There will be more.
Thanks Nick. No big deal on the car. I've been playing with the new one I just bought moma for her B-day and our 12th wedding anniversary.
Yeah I had my chest poked out all afternoon at the game.
Bri put on a show today. I just sit there in Awe.
Man we have kids!!!!

Okay to the pain in my backside.
The AC wasn't on at all. No fluids anywhere as of yet.
I am wondering now if this had something to do with the car feeling like there was a loss of power. Then this morning Viola!!,
it was all there again. Then bang, this afternoon all heck breaks loose. I will most likely take it to Bob. I didn't know that he'd moved his shop.
Thanks
Len

 

[pattejam]

I would be willing to bet that your ac compressor seized up. The air hose sound was the compressor relieving pressure. Take off (or cut) the AC belt and fire the motor up. If it was the compressor, you will know right away and the car will drive just fine, albiet with no AC.

Cory

 

[len3.8]

Cory, Nick I am hoping you guys are correct. I hardly use the AC, other than making sure to turn it on for lubrication.
I am going to check that in the am.
Needless to say I'd take the AC replacement over the Supercharger any day.
We shall see.
Thanks
Len

 

[matteni]

I agree with Cory that it is easy to check but no need to cut the belt - the compressor is easy enough to remove - 30 min job tops.

Let us know and like I said - it is an expensive part but I wouldn't be surprised to find some good used / rebuilt ones out there and since it is pretty easy to swap out (unlike other parts) it might be worth picking up a used one IMO.

 

[len3.8]

Isn't the compressor and SC belt one in the same? Excuse my ignorance on this car. If so I can't cut it yet anyway.
But you and Cory have given me some hope.
Len

 

[Briank]

Len3.8

The SC and the Alternator share the same belt. The A/C has its own. Since you mentioned that nothing was turning you have a problem with something that the SC belt runs that includes the alternator, tensioner and/or an idler. Remove the SC belt and try to turn by hand the SC and Alternator if they are free check any other tensioners - idlers for free movement. The high pressure air leak sound could have been the belt sliding over what ever pulley, tensioner or idler that seized.

Briank

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Briank is right there.
Also the clutch of the A/C compressor is not strong enough to stop the engine.
Trust me......

 

[len3.8]

BrianK, Dutch, Nick all of you thanks. It appears to be the SC it will not turn at all. The 2 idlers near the top and the alt turn freely.
I can not turn the SC at all.
The Saga begins.
Len

 

[Briank]

Sorry to hear it is the SC, and it failed after only 7,000mi. I hope Comptech stands behind the unit or at least the installer. Was it filled with oil when it was installed ?? Kind of a dumb question, I can't see it lasting 7,000mi if it was'nt.

 

[len3.8]

Briank & all.
Comptech is standing behind their product. They are going to get me a new blower. I had no problems with them at all. They just wanted to be sure that the unit was siezed, it is very siezed.
Len

 

[snyper2727]

Gee, this makes me feel just great about owning a CTSC.

Love the perfomance, but I hate the gravel sound at idle.

Yes, I know why it sounds that way...it just sucks.(or shall I say blows)


Justin in AZ

 

[len3.8]

I have the new blower and the changes that they have made are good ones. The blower that I have is MUCH quieter than the other blower was. I hope that it last. I have witnessed another new blower (New owner) that was Much quieter as well. The fill whole: you can now use an allen wrench. The service was just excellent, providing I hadn't altered there equipment. I have no complaints, other than the fact that I have a VERY limited choice for installation of the unit and even less for tuning.
Len

 

[Yellow Rose]

Been There

I am wondering if something siezed up. Maybe the supercharger had something to do with the loud air discharge noise.Has anyone experienced anything like this?
God I hope it's not the Supercharger.

It may very well be a seized SC.....I had two (of the name brand as you have) seize on me within a month of each other. If it just the blower and you are fairly handy with wrenches, you can replace it in your own driveway. Regardless of who does the work, with the blower off have a look inside the engine with a boroscope to see if any debris (like 600 grit aluminum powder from the blower housing) went through your engine like it did mine. Even if you don't see any damage, perform a compression test and leakdown test. These tests will confirm the integrity of piston rings and valve seats.

Wish you well, I've been down that long road and it is not an especially pleasant journey.

 

[len3.8]

Thanks again Andy, we checked for the debris. I am having the leak down/compression test next week. I haven't been driving the car. I am now worried about the fact that the car was allowed to run under a fuel starvation/excessive air situation.
Either way I want to get it checked out completely before flogging it on the track.
Thanks
Len