In today’s busy world it is easy to unintentionally neglect the maintenance on your vehicle, and even easier to overlook your superchargers maintenance. While all EATON based superchargers are relatively maintenance free, there are some things you should keep an eye out for when performing routine maintenance on your vehicle.
Below are some pointers to help you better identify any potential issues with your supercharger.
- The supercharger drive belt: One of the most common overlooked items in your engine bay. Always check your belt(s) for signs of wear, cracking, fraying, and tearing. Most manufacturers recommend changing your belt every 30-40K miles. We like to suggest checking them at every scheduled maintenance interval for your vehicle. It is also a good idea to keep a spare on hand at all times.
- Idlers: The extreme loads from the supercharger ( especially if you are running more than the stock boost pressure ) can put above normal loads on your accessory drive system. You should check these at the same time you check your supercharger drive belt, make sure they spin free, do not “ wobble” on their standoff, and make sure they are clean and free of any debris. It is NOT recommended to spray them with cleaners or degreasers, or high pressure washers as this could damage the bearing seal and cause immediate failure.
- Tensioners: Check and make sure your tensioner is working within the manufacturer specified range, this can be located on the tensioner.
- Intercooler: Check your intercooler reservoir, make sure the 50/50 coolant mixture is flowing freely in your reservoir. Check the cap on the reservoir for signs of leakage and replace it if it is leaking. We have most common reservoir caps in stock ready to ship at a moment’s notice. Check all hose fittings and connections for signs of leakage, service or replace if needed. This should be performed at every routine service interval. Please note: It is important to have a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze / coolant and distilled water in your intercooler system. This prevents freezing in the winter months, when the intercooler or heat exchanger freezes they tend to split open. It also promotes proper lubrication of your intercooler pump and keeps corrosion of the intercooler to a minimum.
- Sealing surfaces: Check every mating surface i.e. intercooler lid, supercharger to heads, inlet to supercharger, behind the pulley ( there is a seal here ). This should be performed at each scheduled vehicle maintenance interval. If you find a leak, repair or replace the seal.
- Pre throttle body connections: Check all connections to make sure they are tight and sealed. A leak here is the most common reason for a CEL to illuminate. Tighten and replace as needed. This should be checked at every routine service interval for your vehicle.
- Air Filter: Any restriction here can hinder performance, and any breach in the filter media can let debris through and damage your supercharger. This should be checked at every routine service interval for your vehicle.
- Supercharger “sounds”: Let the vehicle idle and listen for abnormal sounds. I.e. Rattling, grinding, knocking, or anything that is outside of the normal sounds you hear at idle.
- Bypass actuator: This is one of the most important parts of your supercharger, this allows the supercharger to unload and cool itself during a cruising scenario like freeway driving. You should check the valve and its surroundings, make sure the arm moves freely, make sure it holds the bypass plate open with vacuum. This should be checked at every routine service interval.
- Fuel lines and injector seals: These should be leak free for obvious reasons. This should be checked every other service interval.
- Supercharger Oil: 100-150K service interval. https://superchargersonline.com/2022/05/16/oil-change-instructions-for-eaton-magnuson-with-standard-n-c-45-62-90-112-1900-2300/