Hey guys Im just posting some info based on my truck. Take it as you please and give me any input you might have that may help others.


With about 6000 miles on my 02 Lightning I added a 6lb uncaged pulley. (ASP) Well after about 4000 miles with this pulley (10,000 total), I noticed my blower really getting loud. Now with a total of 6000 miles with this pulley (12,000 total), my blower now sounded like a Vortech S-Trim. It sounded like it was doing alot of rock crushing and actually had a knocking sound. I took the vehicle in and a new blower was ordered, the noise was actually the front bearing in the blower.

Here is my theory on all this I believe the front bearing failed due to the extra tension caused by the smallest belt possible. I used a 68 inch belt , which only went on by grinding the tit off the tensioner. I guess it is a pick your poison kinda deal, either have belt slip or risk the front bearing fail. Has anybody else experienced this ? Do you guys think it was the belt or did I have a bum blower from the get go ? I had the new blower installed and now the blower is much quieter than the old one. Another thing I noticed about this blower is the upper pulley has a plastic button and seems to be pressed on, The stock pulley had a small bolt on front of the pulley, did the blowers change at some point in late 02 or 03 ? My truck is a Early model 02.


Thanks
Buzz

 

oops i didnt read the whole thing but usually it sounds like the idler pulleys need to be cleaned and re-greased

 

See my post at www.nloc.net

WOT

 

BuzzzLightyear:

I had a new 2000 L that developed "piston slap" at about
3000-4000 miles. The dealer ordered a "new" crate engine
with a new blower attached....after installing the engine (which
was a total nightmare and botch job) they cranked it up (first time start)...the new blower had a bad snorkel bearing (front bearing)...had to get a new new blower. So it is possible to get a bad "new" blower or anything else for that matter. I dont know
if the 6lb uncaged pulley contributed to any of the mechanical stresses. Once you have a bad bearing sound it will not improve...
the sound will get worse from there on. Good luck!

 

sounds like you got a 2003 blower. mine has the little black pressed on button that your talking about.... if this helps

 

Thanks, thats what I was thinking.

 

I've heard the louder blower whine over time is from cavitation? Which is pretty normal?

 

Ok, help me out here and explain what exactley cavitation is ? how it happens ? What causes it to happen overtime ? I have had this problem before on my Jetski's or Boat Props, My understanding is what haapens is the prop moves so fast that it doesnt push water but instead creates a air pocket. Can you maybe clear up my understanding and apply it to our blowers.

Tanks again

 

maybe its got something to do with the rotors spinning faster but the TB still being closed........its starving for air...

 

Was your blower replaced under warranty ?

 

or

 

Cavitation is a word that has been used for the noise BUT its not a purely accurate descriptive word.

The stock pulley has big heavy rubber dampers and at low rpms with bigger lighter pulleys the blower turns more RPM and rattles...

Mine rattles like crazy in drive and has for almost 40,000 miles, if the rattle goes away in neutral or when you rais ethe rpms 150 rpm then its the same rattle.

It cant be broke since it ran a 12.28 on a 4# ring

Doug

 

I have over 40,000 miles on my truck. I notice when I put the #4 pulley on, it is a bit louder. In fact, I can say its gradualy getting louder since the day I got it. Unless I Just ... have a tendency to give it more gas

But really, like on the expressway now, I give it a bit of gas to pass or such, and I notice the blower noise more and more. I do a lot of 7,000 mile trips to see my g/f (which is home right now from school). Could the long trips effect the upper pulley bearings? Anyway to check or any time frame you should be replacing it? I might want to check into that...

Baah, between work on the truck and just now getting my little 250 to run to perfection again (and make it quicker), I'm in heaven! I love working on stuff and breaking it <g>...

 

I am also running a 6lber on my 02 with 13K, and I love the sound mine makes at idle! Its sounds exactly as you described a Vortech S Trim!