Vortech SC Bearing Failure...Again
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: 5th ward - H-Town
Vortech SC Bearing Failure...Again
Sent My Vortech in for the second time for bearing failure. They said the oil in the SC overheated causing the bearings to fail. They said it was probably not returning oil properly.
1. My return line is tapped to the upper pan per vortech specs (no spacer)
2. No kinks were in the return line
3. I have an 06 revup so I don't think there was too much oil blocking the return...lol damn oil consumption issue.
So, I don't think it was a problem with the return.
Would an oil cooler help prevent this from happening again? This is the second time my bearings failed shortly after a tuning session.
1. My return line is tapped to the upper pan per vortech specs (no spacer)
2. No kinks were in the return line
3. I have an 06 revup so I don't think there was too much oil blocking the return...lol damn oil consumption issue.
So, I don't think it was a problem with the return.
Would an oil cooler help prevent this from happening again? This is the second time my bearings failed shortly after a tuning session.
#2
I would probably install an oil temperature gauge to see what temps you are seeing. The next step would probably be to inspect the feed line and return lines for obstructions. Its also always good to check the oil feed fitting in the supercharger. It has a very small orifice that sprays oil onto the charger. If debris blocks/clogs this orifice it may starve oil to the s/c causing a failure. The following excerpt is from the Vortech paperwork.
"When changing your oil, remove and clean the oil inlet fitting and strainer. For severe duty or racing, it is suggested that you install an oil cooler and filter."
Just a couple things to check. A kinked return line would cause the oil not to drain back fast enough overheating the gears and bearings inside the s/c.
"When changing your oil, remove and clean the oil inlet fitting and strainer. For severe duty or racing, it is suggested that you install an oil cooler and filter."
Just a couple things to check. A kinked return line would cause the oil not to drain back fast enough overheating the gears and bearings inside the s/c.
#3
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: 5th ward - H-Town
Originally Posted by piratamisterio
I would probably install an oil temperature gauge to see what temps you are seeing. The next step would probably be to inspect the feed line and return lines for obstructions. Its also always good to check the oil feed fitting in the supercharger. It has a very small orifice that sprays oil onto the charger. If debris blocks/clogs this orifice it may starve oil to the s/c causing a failure. The following excerpt is from the Vortech paperwork.
"When changing your oil, remove and clean the oil inlet fitting and strainer. For severe duty or racing, it is suggested that you install an oil cooler and filter."
Just a couple things to check. A kinked return line would cause the oil not to drain back fast enough overheating the gears and bearings inside the s/c.
"When changing your oil, remove and clean the oil inlet fitting and strainer. For severe duty or racing, it is suggested that you install an oil cooler and filter."
Just a couple things to check. A kinked return line would cause the oil not to drain back fast enough overheating the gears and bearings inside the s/c.
I know there were no kinks.
Question was would the installation of an oil cooler help keep the SC temp levels down so that it does not overheat causing bearing failure.
#5
I went through 2 bowers with failed bearings and seals in less than an oil change......It took me 2 weeks of phone complaints and a thread I started on a forum "why I will never buy Vortech again" (I sent them a copy of the 300 hits in 3 days) and they sent me my money back. Granted, I has less than 3,000 miles on the kit, but I got my money back. If you're in the waranty period.....get your cash back. This is crap IMO. I took my cash and went STS turbo and I could not be happier. Good Luck- Jim
PS. I originally bought the unit through superchargers4less and they really stepped up to get me my money back. Ask your vendor to help you out.
PS. I originally bought the unit through superchargers4less and they really stepped up to get me my money back. Ask your vendor to help you out.
#6
WTF? i beat the living F out of my vortech setup and have never had a problem! 14psi at that!!! i am starting to wonder if some of these problems are installation error and not the unit itself.BTW i have two oil coolers, one for the main oil supply for the engine and a in line one just before the oil enters the s/c "custom fabbed by myself".
Last edited by JET MECH; 08-13-2008 at 05:42 PM.
#7
Originally Posted by JET MECH
WTF? i beat the living F out of my vortech setup and have never had a problem! 14psi at that!!! i am starting to wonder if some of these problems are installation error and not the unit itself.BTW i have two oil coolers, one for the main oil supply for the engine and a in line one just before the oil enters the s/c "custom fabbed by myself".
No intstall error...just bad bearings. Vortech later admitted to having a bad batch of bearings in a bunch of units and mine was one of them. Problem is, I spent big $$$$ on labor and other parts in the process of getting the thing to work and it never panned out. Even though I got my purchase $$$ back I lost another grand in the end. The worst part??? my car was down so much I missed 1/2 my race season and just had to spectate
Trending Topics
#8
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: 5th ward - H-Town
Originally Posted by JET MECH
WTF? i beat the living F out of my vortech setup and have never had a problem! 14psi at that!!! i am starting to wonder if some of these problems are installation error and not the unit itself.BTW i have two oil coolers, one for the main oil supply for the engine and a in line one just before the oil enters the s/c "custom fabbed by myself".
btw my s/c was included in serial number range of bad bearings, but doesn't explain why it failed again shortly after it was repaired by Vortech. I only have around 2-3k miles on the kit.
Last edited by eez; 08-14-2008 at 08:15 AM.
#9
Originally Posted by eez
I like the inline cooler idea for the s/c
btw my s/c was included in serial number range of bad bearings, but doesn't explain why it failed again shortly after it was repaired by Vortech. I only have around 2-3k miles on the kit.
btw my s/c was included in serial number range of bad bearings, but doesn't explain why it failed again shortly after it was repaired by Vortech. I only have around 2-3k miles on the kit.
Last edited by JET MECH; 08-14-2008 at 02:14 PM.
#13
Originally Posted by eez
I like the inline cooler idea for the s/c
btw my s/c was included in serial number range of bad bearings, but doesn't explain why it failed again shortly after it was repaired by Vortech. I only have around 2-3k miles on the kit.
btw my s/c was included in serial number range of bad bearings, but doesn't explain why it failed again shortly after it was repaired by Vortech. I only have around 2-3k miles on the kit.
I had the SAME problem....I believe that the casting around the seals and bearings gets too hot warps.....or the shaft on the fan. Get pissed and get your money back...or a whole new unit.
#14
Originally Posted by TSG-Z
What temp is considered too high for oil?
I thought in general the limit was:
Dino = 220F
Synth = 240F
Or something like that.
My oil temps never get above 210-ish in the hot Georgia summer. I usually average around 180-ish. But I'm NA and oil cooled.
Last edited by gothchick; 08-15-2008 at 06:52 AM.
#15
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: 5th ward - H-Town
Originally Posted by JET MECH
here is a pic. that small silver cooler with the two steel braided lines you see on the left hand side of the grill area is the s/c cooler i put together.
what is the make/model for the inline cooler?
#16
Originally Posted by gothchick
I guess it depends on what kind of oil is being subjected to the heat.
I thought in general the limit was:
Dino = 220F
Synth = 240F
Or something like that.
My oil temps never get above 210-ish in the hot Georgia summer. I usually average around 180-ish. But I'm NA and oil cooled.
I thought in general the limit was:
Dino = 220F
Synth = 240F
Or something like that.
My oil temps never get above 210-ish in the hot Georgia summer. I usually average around 180-ish. But I'm NA and oil cooled.
#17
Originally Posted by eez
nice jet thanks for the pic your car is sweeeeet!!!
what is the make/model for the inline cooler?
what is the make/model for the inline cooler?
#18
Not trying to be a pri*k but you are missing the point. An oil cooler won't help a defective bearing, bent shaft or warped casting. Start with the problem by getting a whole new blower or get your money back and choose another form of FI......then look into cool and useful gadgets like oil coolers.
#20
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: 5th ward - H-Town
Originally Posted by Boozt
Not trying to be a pri*k but you are missing the point. An oil cooler won't help a defective bearing, bent shaft or warped casting. Start with the problem by getting a whole new blower or get your money back and choose another form of FI......then look into cool and useful gadgets like oil coolers.
hmm let me see... back out of all the work I put into this to spend more money on a different FI solution I will have different problems with...I don't think so.
If the problem is oil heating up and breaking down causing the bearings to fail, don't you think an oil cooler would be helpful, not just a gadget?
Last edited by eez; 08-15-2008 at 08:50 PM.