Vortech Problems? Need Some Advice on Reconditioning

94GTLaserRC

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

Apr 10, 2005

#1

• Apr 10, 2005

• #1

Well not sure "exactly" what's wrong with it, but for the last few days, the noise coming from the Vortech has been getting louder and louder. The best way to describe it is when I start the car up, it almost sounds like the sound a diesel engine would make when it runs. It has been increasing louder.

Called Joe today, and he suggested at least for now to take the belt off until I find out what's going on.

Anyone know the best solution for getting the Vortech checked?

Im assuming the "only" thing to do is to send it in to Vortech. They have a $100 "check out" fee, and they deduct that if they repair it.

They have listed a "major" repair and "minor" repair. Both include the seals and bearings, but the major repair includes the gears as well.

They dont mention how long it takes or the price..

I will call them tomorrow.... I want to sell this next year when I get the 347, so I guess I need to fork over the $$$ and use that as a selling point.

Any advice?

Thanks
RC

 

94TURBO5 O

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#2

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DAMN MAN sorry to hear that!

If you manually twist the shaft does it sound like the bearings?

 

94TURBO5 O

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#3

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Oh def pull the belt and run N/A for now until you have it resolved.

 

94GTLaserRC

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

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#4

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• #4

94SC50 said:

DAMN MAN sorry to hear that!

If you manually twist the shaft does it sound like the bearings?

Click to expand...

I cant spin it by hand fast enough to tell, but when I started the car without the belt, the sound was completely gone. My engine used to be so quiet, that when I was at a light, all I heard was a buzzing from the Elec fuel pump.

Joe has an extra Homemade CAI kit he said he would lend me while it's in the shop.....It will just be a bit (well, a lot) rich.

RC

 

94TURBO5 O

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Did you happen to let it idle and look under the hood?
Was your belt loose or the bearing in you tensioner pulley shot?
Is you oil feed line clogged?

 

94GTLaserRC

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

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#6

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94SC50 said:

Did you happen to let it idle and look under the hood?
Was your belt loose or the bearing in you tensioner pulley shot?
Is you oil feed line clogged?

Click to expand...

At idle, my wife's sister came out and said my car sounded like her husband's truck (diesel). I opened the throttle, and it got louder. The belt was nice and tight.

Sounds too loud to be just the pulley.

How can I tell if the oil feed line is clogged? (just remove it and force air through it, Im assuming?) If it is clogged, should the return of oil fix the prob, or should I still send it in to Vortech?

RC

 

94TURBO5 O

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That the only way to tell if it's clogged but I really can't think of what would cause a clog. If it doesn't get the oil then no lube the bearings can def go bad.
I would send it back for sure and just bite the bullet on repairs. How many miles on it?

 

94GTLaserRC

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

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#8

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94SC50 said:

That the only way to tell if it's clogged but I really can't think of what would cause a clog. If it doesn't get the oil then no lube the bearings can def go bad.
I would send it back for sure and just bite the bullet on repairs. How many miles on it?

Click to expand...

I have 2 years and about 12k miles on it myself, but I bought it used. The guy I got it from beat his car like crazy, but I doubt that affecte it, because I have not had one iota of problems with the Vortech unit itself until now.

I can call the guy I got it from tomorrow and ask.

RC

 

Nik_95Cobra

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#9

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When I had a vortech on one of my previous cars I had to send it directly back to them for repair. Cost me $500 a pop, had to do it twice because it was a crappy semi experimental kit for the car and kept eating seals.

 

94GTLaserRC

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#10

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Thanks Nik...Not what I wanted to hear, but If Im gonna sell it next year, it will help.

RC

 

Nik_95Cobra

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#11

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Maybe yours will fare better. BTW, mine sounded like the propeller wheel was kicking around a lil marble at idle when I knew it was that time. Anything above idle the s/c whine was too loud to hear anything.

 

94TURBO5 O

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Rob I pm'd you back a half hour ago. Wasn't sure if you wanted me to call @ 2247 when I got yoyr PM man. What do you need to know? Anything I can do to help you out, just give me a hollah Your blower prob just has a lot of miles on it and the bearings and seals just need to be replaced.

 

94GTLaserRC

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

Apr 11, 2005

#13

• Apr 11, 2005

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Nik_95Cobra said:

Maybe yours will fare better. BTW, mine sounded like the propeller wheel was kicking around a lil marble at idle when I knew it was that time. Anything above idle the s/c whine was too loud to hear anything.

Click to expand...

Mine is nowhere near that bad....it's just "consistent" loud noise, that doesnt have any variations.. Just need to get it off and send it...IM calling Vortech today.

Thanks JR.. Ill be home tonight after about 8:15 PM..either call or leave me your number.


Im just waiting to set up a day this week to meet up with Joe to help get the CAI on and take the Vortech off...SHould only take an hour or so.

My problem is now that I need the car and dont have another one to drive in the mean time.
RC

 

D

DARK-5.0

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#14

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It sounds to me like not enough oil is getting to it and its drying out. So then the bearings went bad. Either way it looks like you'll have to rebuild it. Good luck.

Jeremy

 

BlueOvalStangGT

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#15

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Is it just at idle or what? My s-trim sound considerably louder then all other s-trims Ive heard but once you get past 1400 rpms you cant hear it anymore.

 

Leeroy697

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#16

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I had to have my vortech rebuilt last winter and it cost me 300. sucks but if u have to do then u have to do it.

 

94GTLaserRC

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Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"

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#17

• Apr 11, 2005

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Update:
I called Vortech today...they mentioned the minor and major type repairs as I did above. The Minor repair is $369. The Major is over $1k

I asked him how I could be sure they would want to do a major if it needs a minor. He said more than likely, if the pulley still spins freely, especially with your hand, the gears are prolly ok, and it would be a minor.


Im not happy with $369, but from what Ive read, I guess I should be glad it's not $500-$700. WHen I take the VOrtech off with Joe this week, we'll take a look at the oil feed line, and see if something's up, and maybe just replace it as "insurance"

Wont be able to send it in until we get one of Joe's CAI's on it.

Thanks
RC

 

Leeroy697

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#18

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BlueOvalStangGT said:

Is it just at idle or what? My s-trim sound considerably louder then all other s-trims Ive heard but once you get past 1400 rpms you cant hear it anymore.

Click to expand...

Mine does that too. My buddy has a P600B procharger and when hes in his car in front of me at a light he can hear my blower over his. Its pretty much the loudest blower I have ever heard. But when I get on it u cant hear it but his is much louder. I think its just cause mine is an old model S-Trim but I think its cool.

 

mo_dingo

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Apr 11, 2005

#19

• Apr 11, 2005

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How much is a new head unit?

What about a rebuilt one?

What about a used one? Might take those into consideration.

But if you do send it in to get fixed, then I would tell them that you are only willing to pay the money to figure out what's wrong with it, not to repair/re-assemble it.

That should save you some money in the end, if the repairs get too excessive.
Scott

 

94GTLaserRC

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#20

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mo_dingo said:

How much is a new head unit?

What about a rebuilt one?

What about a used one? Might take those into consideration.

But if you do send it in to get fixed, then I would tell them that you are only willing to pay the money to figure out what's wrong with it, not to repair/re-assemble it.

That should save you some money in the end, if the repairs get too excessive.
Scott

Click to expand...

I dont think $369 is too bad if that's really all it is. They warranty it for 6 more months. Vortech will give you a $1k credit towards a new head, but the new head in polished form is $2k.

RC