[flash]

We have had a failure presumably due to an unattended oil leak. I'm not going to go into who had the problem, or what exactly caused the problem, or any finger pointing, because frankly we just don't know where it started. We know the system was losing fluid, but we aren't sure yet exactly where the leak is yet. When I find out, I will update everyone as to where to focus.



As a result of the leak, the unit was oil starved and burned up. Consequently the warranty is being denied. I have done everything possible to get it covered, as has the distributor, but Rotrex is denying the claim.



There has been discussion before about leaks and the Oil Cooler, and what to do about the connections there. (In fact a technical bulletin was opened about it and has since been closed to allow this one to run).



It is incredibly important that you do NOT over-torque those connections.



When installing the fittings, first hand tighten and then swivel the fitting around to create a "witness" mark on the seating surface and paint on the threads. The idea here is to get the fitting to seat down without having to go to the maximum torque spec.



You MUST use a torque wrench with a Crow Foot AND a second wrench so as to not break the extremely fragile brazing of the oil cooler. Do not tighten this by hand. Do not guess at the torque. Do not use pliers. You MUST NOT exceed 15 ft/lbs.



Each of the hose connections needs to be carefully inspected for any signs of weeping or leakage, and repaired as needed.



Further, the system DOES NOT consume oil. Once the full bleeding and settling in of the system have been completed, you should not need to add fluid for 2 years. Obviously you want to check it periodically, but it should not lose fluid. If it does FIND THE LEAK!!!



If you run the Supercharger out of fluid, which can happen if you have a leak, due either to the system letting air in and creating a starvation pocket, or just plain running out, you WILL burn it up. This will void your warranty.



If you have any leak whatsoever, STOP running the engine! Find and fix the leak immediately. Report it immediately. Once things go like that for even a short while, it is too late. MSRP for replacement units is $2195. You don't want to pay that, so make sure you have no leaks.

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[banditsc]

I used some Loctite 565 which is a thread sealant, NOT a thread locker. Basically think of it a as liquid form of the thread sealant tape, but can withstand higher temps and oils. That way I didn't have to crank down hard on the fitting to get it to seal.

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[Jens Ove]

I assume that the oil is essential for the supercharger. The fact that you probably get no warnings if you loose the oil worries me.

If I e.g were at the motorway in Germany, where they have no speed limit, the engine and the supercharger would be under heavy load most of the time. Loosing my oil here (or generally anywhere) when having my vacation and far from home, - that is a worry. I would have felt more comfortable if I could monitor the lubrication oil level.

Let's say if the level decreases to 80%, there is something wrong. A leakage. Then I have time to park the car and the supercharger rotor is still fine. If I monitor the pressure, I need to stop within seconds when the pressure drops. So monitoring the oil level in the tank will be best, I believe. If I could connect the oil level indicator to the engine's oil pressure warning, That way I will get a serious warning in my car without much cabling. If the oil lamp lights, and the OEM oil pressure meter tells normal, then I will know that the oil warning is from the supercharger.



The level indicator could be placed integrated in the oil reservoar cap. In several cars the brake fluid level is monitored this way.

I bought my supercharger kit this year, but have not had the time to install it yet. The car needs some more upgrades, brakes etc. I would feel more comfotable if the oil level for the supercharger is monitored.

If anyone know about somewhere I can get an oil level switch that can fit into the oil reservoar, preferably through the cap, I'll be happy to know about it.

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[flash]

once the system is settled, there is no reason to believe that it would suddenly spring a leak any more than any part of the engine would.



that being said, a level indicator, similar to the one on the brake reservoir would not be a bad idea.

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[Jens Ove]

[quote name='flash' timestamp='1315057469' post='114924']

once the system is settled, there is no reason to believe that it would suddenly spring a leak any more than any part of the engine would.



that being said, a level indicator, similar to the one on the brake reservoir would not be a bad idea.

[/quote]



Similar, - the engine is monitored not because there is a reason to believe that something wrong will happen, but because it MAY happen. Several important level and pressure statuses are monitored as standard, and when I install the supercharger kit, I see a well working supercharger oil lubrication and cooling system as a new but essential status that should be monitored. I don't claim you for not including a low level alarm switch. But you write that an oil leakage has happened, causing supercharger breakdown. So then it MAY happen. Not because the kit is bad, but because we can install the kit incorrectly, or the kit may be damaged after installation. Incorrectly installed, the leakage may occur after driving for a while. Who checks the car's oil level before driving every day? I don't. And I will not check the supercharger oil level every day. Having an alarm option will certainly make me more comfortable both for everyday driving and at long distances together with my family.



I don't know what really happens when the supercharger breaks down caused by lack of oil. The belt is necessary for driving further. If a supercharger breakdown will cause a car breakdown (stop), then I would see the supercharger oil system just as important as the engine oil. The cost of the supercharger breakdown is not as high as an engine breakdown, but you are stucked where you are at the moment of failure.



So I would appreciate very much if you or anybody else could find an oil level switch that will fit the kit. Anyway - I'll try to find a solution. My 23 years old Mercedes has oil level switches both on engine and transmission. So I guess there are some switches on the market that can be adapted to the oil reservoir, or its cap.

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[flash]

i'm not disagreeing about a level indicator being a good idea - clearly it is - obviously things "can" happen, and having warning indicator is a great idea - i am just saying that in the history of use of this unit, on countless different cars in countless different kits, that it has not been necessary, and i don't know of anybody in any of the thousands of units out there who has one - they don't normally leak between service intervals, which is 50,000 miles or 2 years - still, knock yourself out and when you figure it out, i'll add it to mine too, just to be safe



in the instance of the warranty denial, it appears that the leakage was an installation problem that was never corrected properly - the plumbing leaked at the beginning and was never corrected - it was never the unit itself, so i want to be sure that it is understood that this is an anomaly and just something to look for during installation - it's not something that is remotely likely to develop later (assuming you keep the hoses out of harm's way)



on the subject of what happens, the belt is the accessory belt, so the alternator and AC stop working, but the engine could keep running if the supercharger failed, though i tend to think it would run VERY poorly due to air starvation



as for checking the oil level before driving, i don't drive my car that often so i almost always check it, along with all fluids, before driving, and definitely before any fun run - i've always done that with all of my toys - it's a sort of "pre-flight" check



one of the reasons i want everyone to put up a thread is to have a chance to deal with potential issues - i want all of these problem free, and the only way i can be assured of that is to have communication between me and the user or installer

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[Jens Ove]

It's good to know that the supercharger oil system normally don't leak between service intervals :-)

Anyway - if I find a level switch that will fit, I think I like to install it. Just in case.

If I find a solution to the low level alarm switch, I'll tell you about it.

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[DaveN]

My 2 cents worth.

My 2 leaks were caused by an inadvertant slip of the wench when we had to change oil cooler fitting; Bob's suppliers fault not the kits (but thanks for turning the nut Bob so it wasn't me that slipped <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> The other leak was the orientation of the oil resevoir banjo bolt and the clamp holding the hose not allowing the proper seating of the copper washer. Since then not a drop of oil. I would definitly like an oil switch or SC temp monitor in a perfect world but only because we had these initial "discoveries". I am now back to being comfortable with "the old" piece of cardboard under the car. Always accurate and truthful when you have a look at it the next day <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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