CTSC reading low boost

[mr_grand_prix]

So i went to get tuned today on stock boost with a greddy emanage.

Bad news is that its only reading the most at 2.5psi if that....whats going on....??

When we installed it..we initially checked the belts after we took it for a run but after that we havent checked it since..

I am worried something is wrong with the supercharger itself...

could it be ...

a) belt not tighten to its full potential even though it feels tight.. if not how tight should i have it?

b) i have a boost leak somewhere...

c) supercharger...if so would i notice something unusual if its not building full boost?

any help would be greatly appreciated..car runs great but only seeing low boost..

thanks
gus

[repiv]

Does the belt tightness pass the test as published in the installation manual? If so, look elsewhere. Can you grab it a a convenient mid-way point and twist it with good resistance 90 degrees? Typically, people have the belt too tight and the blower bearing is toasted. It would take an exceptionally loose belt to get only 2.5 psi.

If the belt is tight enough, then either the S/C is not boosting to spec. 2.5 psi is less than 1/2 of what it should be. This can only be verified if everything else checks out. (See next point.)

If the S/C is functioning OK, then it's losing boost somewhere. Now you've got to trace all connections and tubing (including bad welds in the aftercooler if there is one) from the S/C outlet to the TB. That's just the main plumbing. Don't forget all the places where vacuum and pressure is tapped (fuel pressure regulator, bypass valve, intake manifold tubing).

If you don't have a leak somewhere, then your measuring device is inaccurate.

[mr_grand_prix]

tthanks..i appreciate it..

i am going to do a boost leak check tomm and check my belt....its too late right now to go outside...

my biggest fear is that its the supercharger...

the belt "looked" tight but i havent fully checked its tightness

[repiv]

my biggest fear is that its the supercharger...
This is not unheard of. In recent months, I've seen reports of at least 2 blowers that had to be sent in for rebuild. Hopefully, you've just got a nasty leaked somewhere that can be rectified.

[mr_grand_prix]

Are there certain signs that the blower needs to be rebuilt? oil leaking?

[repiv]

Oil leakage is a sign but not a conclusive sign as the area around the impellers get oily normally due to the front breather tube ending up just before the blower inlet. A bad bearing can be accompanied by an abnormally loud gravelly sound but CT blowers tend to have that sound to begin with. Another tell tale sign might be a pulley that isn't running true.
Your best bet is to eliminate all the other things I mentioned first.

[gomarlins3]

No belt squeal at high RPM's? When mine squeals, I get a drop in boost from 7 to less than 5lbs.

[mr_grand_prix]

I'll definitely do what you suggested first....

to be all honest I am thinking the belt is slipping or the belt needs to be replaced..

I say that bc when I purchased the kit used...I used the same belt the individual had on his car. He indicated the belt was only on there for 6k miles but it could have been more....its my own fault for not just replacing the belt with a brand new belt...

[mr_grand_prix]

Wow..

well I checked the belt this morning and to no surprise...I COULD twist the belt more than 90 degrees..almost half way with moderate force...so I know now its loose..

I just have to go pick up a NEW belt from NAPA and put it on to make sure there is no if's, and's, or but's about the belt anymore...

hopefully this resolves my issues..

update so to come hopefully later on tonight..

[mr_grand_prix]

WOOO.HOO..

Seems my problem is answered...we put on the new belt and tightened it up where u can turn it 90 degrees with some force and now the gauge is reading fine at 4.25 psi at around 7k rpm

Which is a lot better....and it feels better too..

I have to go back to the tuner next week bc my emanage blue i bought used he is having problems changing the BC map to 9k instead of 8k...

He said its not letting him change it. He updated with different firmware but still giving him the same problem.

[Jerome]

mr_grand_prix, From time to time check your supercharger belt and engine belt for any sign of oil. If you have not put crank vents on your PVC hose and crankcase vent hose or have not put an oil catch can in your crankcase vent line, a defective PVC valve can allow boost to push oily vapors into the intake tube just ahead of the supercharger. This condition will coat the intake tubes and vacuum lines with oil. Oil will start seeping out of the connections of those lines and get on things around and below the supercharger. If not caught early enough, the oil can get on the engine belts/pulleys and cause slippage. This happened to my CT S/C & A/C S2000 due to a defective oil seal in the supercharger. The supercharger was spitting oil droplets out its intake, got in all the intake and vacuum lines which seeped oil at connections and coated the lower area between the electric fans and the engine front. Paxton replaced the defective oil seal under warranty. I had to pressure wash off the oil and replace my supercharger and engine belts.

Jerome
NW Arkansas
Black Stealth S2000