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I need to change my supercharger oil, but the plug/screw is either screwed on too tight or put in at the wrong angle. I had a mechanic try to loosen it with no success. I don't want to try turning it too hard 'cause I don't want to strip it. What are my options?
Our technician said you could drill a new hole, tap it and put in a new plug. However the drilling could deposit metal shavings into the oil reservoir, so that is probably a bad option. If all practical options to remove it have been tried by your mechanic, you will need to remove the supercharger and bring it to a machine shop. They will get it out. You may want to try another mechanic first. Did he use heat?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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have you tried Liquid Wrench? Heat expands, I would suggest cold, though some people alternate heat and cold. Perhaps an ice pack for 20 minutes would help, better some liquid nitrogen. Also, another trick if the plug is at the bottom, is to heat then let cool several times until you see a little of the oil escape. Then try turning again, it will be lubricated.
1998-1999 Buick Riviera Supercharger - A1 Cardone 2R-104 - - PartsGeek.com it's that little black screw slightly to the left from the center facing up. Mechanic said it's a T30 size key (I think that's 4mm?). I don't think he tried other methods and he told me this because he didn't want to liable for any damages. The dealership should be able to take it out right? I will use the methods you guys recommend (heating it, icing, maybe some WD40?) if dealership fails too
Our technician said you could drill a new hole, tap it and put in a new plug. However the drilling could deposit metal shavings into the oil reservoir, so that is probably a bad option. If all practical options to remove it have been tried by your mechanic, you will need to remove the supercharger and bring it to a machine shop. They will get it out. You may want to try another mechanic first. Did he use heat?
That's what I was afraid of too, metal pieces in the supercharger. But if I was to use a machine (maybe a vacuum with a small plastic tube attached) to clean inside the supercharger wouldn't it be fine?
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nas-gr
burdell: that's what I'm trying to do. Take out the plug so I can suck out the old oil and put new. There is no drain hole on a supercharger
AH, since you say it's a T30 I'm guessing steel plug/aluminum case? If so, as long as there's nothing nearby likely to get damaged I'd go with a heat gun on the case, should expand more than the plug, a few healthy taps with a brass drift on the plug before trying to turn it wouldn't hurt either.
That's what I was afraid of too, metal pieces in the supercharger. But if I was to use a machine (maybe a vacuum with a small plastic tube attached) to clean inside the supercharger wouldn't it be fine?
You should be ok drilling and tapping. Here are a couple options, apply liberal amounts of bearing grease to the tips of the drill bit and tap when using them. The metal shards will stick right to it. Other option is to have someone apply air pressure to the fill hole while you are drilling and tapping.
You can try heating up the plug with a propane torch. Someone probably used loctite on the plug or sealant or simply a chemical reaction/ corrosion between the aluminum housing and steel plug a propane torch can be set to really low temp. You just wanna warm it up
You can also take a 4mm Allen head socket and gently tap it to seat it really well in the hole of the plug. Then toy can try tightening it slightly ( I know it sounds weird) to break the. Seal. Then try to unscrew it. If you strip the plug you can go to the next higher Allen head and tap that in
Worse comes to worse you can use easy out bits.
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