A question for all you Supercharger experts

[nacho]

I always carry an extra SC belt and a stock alt. belt, stock P.S. belt and a stock fan belt too...just in case I'm out in the middle of nowhere and have a belt break.

My question is this: If my SC goes bad or the nose drive bearings in it burn up all of a sudden, would it be possible to just take off the old SC belt and put on the new stock alternator belt until I can get the SC fixed?

Is there anything else I would have to do in the meantime so the engine could still get plenty of air to run like a stock engine, or would it run just fine like that
until I could repair the SC?

Has anyone with a SC had any experience with what I'm talking about?

Thanks for any help you have to offer.

 

[Dirtco]

Is there anything else I would have to do in the meantime so the engine could still get plenty of air to run like a stock engine, or would it run just fine like that
until I could repair the SC?

Has anyone with a SC had any experience with what I'm talking about?

Thanks for any help you have to offer.

I'm going to say no; based on how a supercharger works if the rotors are not spinning then air can not enter the engine.

I really don't think you have anything to worry about. I bought my 4Runner with a bad supercharger, it was leaking oil and had a horrible bearing noise that got louder as it warmed up. I drove it locally for several months before I could get the time and money to take it off and get it rebuilt. When I sent it in for the rebuild they had to replace everything but the housing. It was in rough shape but it still worked.

In most situations it should give you more than enough warning signs, and get you home without an issue. There are plenty of things that can fail on a vehicle and leave you stranded, in my opinion the supercharger is the least of my concerns.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

2nd Dirtco on that one.

I've never been in a S/C'd vehicle during a belt failure (and I hope I never am), but I would think that the rotors would act as a MAJOR blockage of the intake tract, reducing/eliminating the engine's ability to draw air through the intake tract and into the cylinders. Even if the engine were able to draw in a small amount of air, it might be enough for it to attain a very poor idle, but that's about it.

 

[SCRunner12]

I had my S/C belt snap on my Tacoma driving 80 down the freeway. I just pulled over to the side and took the broken belt out. I then drove for another 15-20 miles to the next town and everything was fine. You have a certain time frame to get a new belt on, but it isn't life or death. Just keep a good eye on your belt and if it looks old replace it before you go on any major trips.

 

[the great him]

I had my S/C belt snap on my Tacoma driving 80 down the freeway. I just pulled over to the side and took the broken belt out. I then drove for another 15-20 miles to the next town and everything was fine. You have a certain time frame to get a new belt on, but it isn't life or death. Just keep a good eye on your belt and if it looks old replace it before you go on any major trips.

SCrunner12 is correct, while now my 4runner isnt SCed (yet) ive been around plunty of SCed vehicles, and yes you can run them without the SC belt, is it recomended, no, but it can be done in a pinch. it will however not run the same or even as a NA motor, there will be some restriction, cause air will not flow as freely to the ports.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I stand corrected, and this is very good to know. I'm glad you guys chimed in because it's good to hear from people who have had experience w/this scenario.

I always carry an extra belt, and it's nice to know that if it snaps, you can at least move the vehicle under it's own power until you get to a better spot for replacing the belt.

 

[4-Ripcord]

This is indeed good information. Thanks for sharing guys. :cheers:

 

[SCRunner12]

I stand corrected, and this is very good to know. I'm glad you guys chimed in because it's good to hear from people who have had experience w/this scenario.

I always carry an extra belt, and it's nice to know that if it snaps, you can at least move the vehicle under it's own power until you get to a better spot for replacing the belt.

Yeah I've heard it is ok to drive without it, but the battery might die due to the alternator not working anymore. I luckily had a S/C belt with me because I stopped off Hwy 5 in some nothing town. Luckily the mechanic was able to get me on the road in time for me to get to class.

 

[nacho]

Thanks fellow 4Runner friends with superchargers on their 3.4L engines. This is exactly the info I was looking for and what makes this forum so great.

I carry ALL the spare belts that could be needed, including the stock alternator belt too, just in case this exact thing happens out on the middle of bum F.

It's nice to know I can keep on cruising w/o doing any damage even though I won't have that great SC power, but at least I can drive to a spot where doing the replacement belt job will be so much easier....or at a time that's better for my schedule.

Thanks everyone for your input on this.

 

[Loud Runner]

This 11 year old thread is super helpful. I was looking for this exact info.