The weather was nice and cold so, I decided on the way home to do a couple WOT runs. Car felt nice and strong. But, after coming to a couple stop lights, I could hear this weird thudding in the engine compartment. Thought it was just the usual Vortech rattle getting a little louder after a hard run, which it usually does. But, this got louder and louder and I drove home. When I got home around 2:30, I checked my belts in the dark and all I could tell was that it was coming from the blower area. Anyways, decided to take the cog belt off and as I took it off, I noticed that half the teeth were missing on the inside. I am assuming the missing teeth are all over my engine bay area somewhere and that this was the source of the problem. Guess that the belts get a little brittle over time? I've never ever read of someone breaking their cog belt though.

Now my main question: I know that Napa sells many Gates belts that Vortech carries, but do they carry the cog belts? Any other retail places that carry these cog belts?

Thanks guys.

 

No..you will have to order one from Vortech . You might want to check to see if you have oil in the IC pipe down by the BOV . My belt did the same thing a couple weeks ago . And right after wards , I had oil coming from the BOV , and the intake filter . I dont know what happened , but I heard a strange sound and got to my driveway only to find the belt spinning on the blower and jackshaft but no teeth on it . While putting the new one on , I saw the oil coming from both ends . And knew it was the seals

it was like the blower locked up for a second or something....????

 

Not sure what you mean when you say "locked up", but the car ran fine even with missing teeth on the way home. Crap, I really don't hope its the seals, blower doesn't really have that many miles on it. How would missing teeth be caused by oil seal failures? Regardless, I will definitely check out my intercooler piping tomorrow morning. And are you sure about not finding the cog belt locally at Napa or any other store? I am 150 miles from home...argh.

Btw, this is the cog belt on the standard kit. I don't know how you would have been able to see oil leaks coming from the filter and bov unless under the car.

 

I could be wrong on the belt . But Ive never heard of any where but Vortech to get the cog belt . I notice oil on my belly pan when looking down from inside the engine bay .
I have no idea what happened , and why the teeth would strip off . I'm guessing when I say the blower locked up for a second . Something caused it though .

 

Possibly old belt or belt failure? I just don't see the connection between stripped belt and bad oil seals, if the seals were the cause.

 

I dont see a connection either . I just know it happened and the seals popped at the same time . I had seals go bad before and never squirt out as much oil in a short period of time . I was doing a logging run and had just got done checking every thing out . So I know the oil wasnt there before the run .

Thats the only reason I suggested you check for oil . Wanted to see if it happened to you .

 

you can find the belt at any industrial parts place, there are lots of them online.


just grab the part number off hte belt and do a search for it.

its easy to find.

 

Go To Superchargersoiline.com

 

Superchargersonline

 

Ya, but I need to find a place locally that's open either today or tomorrow. I want to put it on before I drive home. I know I can drive home without it, if I baby the car, but I'd rather have it on.

 

motionindustries.com has them and there are like 20 of their facilities located in Cali. I just bought three of the 600-8mgt-20 cog belts and they were like $15/each.

 

Thanks for the info. Found an office about 20 minutes from me. Just hope they are open tomorrow.

 

Motion Industries is the place to go. They had to order mine, but it was only a day or two to get here. For the $15 price, which is about what I paid, I ordered two so I'll have a backup and still saved money over the cost of one at superchargersonline.com.

 

After going threw 2 belts at forged just on the dyno for a few pulls @13psi.. and 1 belt 2 weeks ago.. I still havent figured out why they go so fast.. I tryed the loose belt thing=torn and now working on the tight belt and it seems to be fraying apart.

There has to be a better solution to these cheap quality belts from gates! Does anyone have any idea or anything to offer, vendors anyone, please! thanks!

 

Maybe you need a wider belt for your power level?

 

You can always try the Goodyear Gatorbacks.

 

Holy crap 16psi on a Procharger. That thing must rip. Thats what I love about this place. A brother in need and we all chip in to help. I was wondering about the cog belts too. I replace mine every 6 months for the hell of it and even have 2 spare air filters. I keep the old belts for just in case. One of them is missing a good batch of teeth. I noticed the new ones squeel as they are too wide for some reason and it goes away when they wear down just enough. $15 for a new belt is a sweet deal. Thanks for the info.

Booger I've always had oil down by the oil pan also. I always though it was coming from one of the two blower feeds but thanks to your tip on going through the wheel well I ruled that out.

 

A wider belt would require a new pulley for the middle pulley which controls tension.. I thought that would make a difference but i doubt it..

Also, if they do make gatorbacks for the supercharger where would i even start to look for an order number??????? It would have to match the Gates

 

The Gatorbacks that I have seen have the same number as the Gates/NAPA for the 93 inch belt. Pep Boys carries the Gatorbacks.

 

But Pep Boys don't carry Cog Belts. I believe the main belt for prochargers are cog type belts as Vortechs are serpentine.