V3Si blower very loud at idle

[kerrit]

I've read that this is the gear backlash and it's to be expected.. I have 100 miles on my car since installing the VT1-550 and hope it'll quiet down a lot more after breaking in the blower.

This video I took doesn't do it justice, with the hood closed it sounds like a nasty grinding noise at idle and definitely doesn't sound good. Anyone who doesn't know will assume something is wrong with my engine when they hear it.

http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=2s00...8#.U7sBaPldUnU

For those supercharged, do you have to deal with this loud noise as well, or does it vary?

Thanks!

[Longboarder]

Did you buy the kit new or used? These blowers are supposed to be very quiet, however even with the hood closed, there is some additional sound.

The recording isn't that great, and I can't tell if my blower (same as yours) sounds the same or not. Maybe you can find someone locally who also has the ESS or VF to hear theirs. Or maybe you can do a better recording with both the hood open and closed.

[kerrit]

new from ESS - I was told that it is normal..

The only other local one I know of has an AA kit with the rotrex blower so I can't compare.

[kerrit]

i'll try and get a better video

[JEllis]

Who did the install? Did they properly top off the oil?

There is a grinding/growling sound from my SC at idle. It is normal and even the Vortech manual says to expect it. Excessively loud grinding/growling could be from a lack of oil or worse.

If the SC was properly installed... and the SC oil properly topped off.. and you only have had it installed 100 miles, then most likely what you are hearing is normal.

[kerrit]

Installed it with a mechanic friend. Drained the excess oil and then checked it three times and always showed full on the dipstick.

Going to try to take a video with a go pro tomorrow

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by kerrit

Installed it with a mechanic friend. Drained the excess oil and then checked it three times and always showed full on the dipstick.

Going to try to take a video with a go pro tomorrow

You should have 4 oz of oil in the blower when full. The blowers ship with 4 oz so there should not be a need to drain it when installed new. The V3 blowers do make some noise at idle even with the hood closed but like others have posted it should not be excessive. You can do a full drain and add 1 of the bottles of oil that shipped with the kit if you want to be sure it is full. Being a little over is not a problem as the built in vent will discharge any excess oil in the blower during operation.

[Superfly_M3]

I've had this on my blower. The noise was loud, much louder compared to VF kit and much louder compared to ESS 600 kit. I had the blower replaced and the sound came back to "normal" tolerable levels. The noise that was there in the original blower was not normal as per many people that have heard it.

[kerrit]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

You should have 4 oz of oil in the blower when full. The blowers ship with 4 oz so there should not be a need to drain it when installed new. The V3 blowers do make some noise at idle even with the hood closed but like others have posted it should not be excessive. You can do a full drain and add 1 of the bottles of oil that shipped with the kit if you want to be sure it is full. Being a little over is not a problem as the built in vent will discharge any excess oil in the blower during operation.

I literally drained only a tablespoon, the oil level was then at the very top of the crosshatching on the bottom of the dipstick. I don't think lack of lubricant is an issue. I followed the instructions:

Step 116: Drain the excess fluid from the supercharger until you are at maximum level on the dipstick. Use a 14mm and 13mm wench to open and close the drain plug in the end of the drain hose.

Also, I can't say enough about the support and responsiveness from ESS - you are a top notch vendor.

[1sikbmr]

I listened to video. I dont think it's excessively loud but i also didnt notice any grinding sounds in it either. Mine is definitely louder than what it was stock.

[Beedub]

i find these don't take the full 4 Oz on oil change, done it numerous times and if you put the full 4 oz in its over the top mark, and if you use in anger it splatters all over the engine bay.

i guess its impossible to remove ALL the oil when changing oil, so ill be very surprised if your emptying a full 4 oz bottle into the blower, voertech themselves told me the unit not use a full bottle. my oil level isn't even to the top mark just slightly under it and i can still get a gentle weep from the breather port on a full track day in high heat.

Do not listen to anyone that tells you to stick the full 4oz in as it WILL make a mess of your engine bay, use 3/4 of the bottle and start watching the oil level from that point, it takes alittle more time but saves a huge mess.

how do i know??? experienced it the hard way.....:-(

[kerrit]

Here's a gopro video

it doesn't capture the sound that well either until i put it down low near the filter, its kind of like a grinding noise, and i assure you its much more apparent no matter where i stand around the car, but for some reason i can only capture it with a microphone near the filter

do your guys vortech blowers sound like this?

[baxter3221]

I had the same question upon initially installing my 550: it makes more noise than I expected and I was concerned something was wrong. After speaking with a technician at a shop, I was convinced the noise was normal and 7,000 miles later and two oil changes I've had no problems.

You can try taking it to a local speed shop to take a listen; Vortech is used on a variety of cars so it doesn't need to be a BMW shop necessarily. I wouldn't be too concerned though, they definitely make a noise at idle so assuming the oil is filled correctly, you should be fine.

[kerrit]

thanks - i listened to an e39 M5 with a vortech blower yesterday and it made like no noise compared to mine

[1sikbmr]

sounds pretty normal to me. Mine is kind of loud and i enjoy it haha.

[Sered]

My VF540 kit was used with about 3500miles on it, and it does the same thing. I had read the Mustang and 370Z guys have the same issue. It's completely normal.

[M3PO]

I've heard quite a few SC'ed M3s at the Shift-S3ctor events and that does seem kinda loud...

[Sered]

funny part is, they're VERY quiet compared to the old V1/V2s

[MFKN3]

sounds normal

[P1 Motorcars]

The noise is normal and you shouldn't be worried .

[e92livin]

Sounds fine to me, my blower sounds the same as yours.

[jeff@autocouture]

sound is normal. mine sounds just like that