Paxton/Nelson supercharger issue - losing fluid, occasional large exhaust smoke cloud

MmSadda · 04-15-2012, 09:21 PM

Hey guys,

I've got a Paxton/Nelson SN-89 supercharged 87 6-port. Two days ago on the way home from work, after a downshift to 3rd during deceleration on an interchange, I got a large sudden cloud of blue or grey smoke from the exhaust.

Engine temp was fine, and it still boosted just fine afterward. There was no discernible loss of power. Upon inspection at home, all fluid levels were okay except the lubricant for the supercharger (which is automatic transmission fluid, for what it's worth,) which was below the low mark on the dipstick. I filled it to a bit over the high mark on the dipstick, and let the car sit 'til today. I tried driving it for about 40 miles, and hit boost a few times. About the second time I hit boost, I got the smoke from the exhaust again. Checked the supercharger lubricant again, and it's back down to about 1/3 of the way above the low mark.

So, what's happened? My gut reaction is that I blew a lubrication seal of some sort inside the supercharger, and I'm seeing that come out the exhaust, but I'd like to hear ideas from anyone who may happen to have input.

Thanks,

Collin

Pete_89T2 · 04-16-2012, 05:35 AM

That would be my best guess. If the oil level drops, it's got to be going somewhere. If you're not seeing any signs of an external leak, it must be getting ingested & burned by the engine. Since you said you saw smoke on decelleration, when the engine should be pulling a vacuum this makes sense. The lube is getting sucked past the SC seals into the intake manaifold & burned up.

MmSadda · 09-27-2012, 08:45 PM

Since I posted this thread originally, I had the blower rebuilt by Paradise Wheels (the company that services the blower and owns the rights to it, etc.) and had an intercooler added and the car re-tuned. I had the smoking issue again, and sent the blower back to Paradise Wheels - they found no moisture in the blower, and no cracks in the casing. If that's accurate, it means I'm getting oil (or something that's causing smoke) sucked into the engine another way.... unless smoke could be caused by running too rich. Is that possible? For what it's worth, it seems to be a greyish smoke, though I could be mistaken.

04-15-2012, 09:21 PM	#1
MmSadda BOOSTED COLON Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 88 Rep Power: 17	Paxton/Nelson supercharger issue - losing fluid, occasional large exhaust smoke cloud Hey guys, I've got a Paxton/Nelson SN-89 supercharged 87 6-port. Two days ago on the way home from work, after a downshift to 3rd during deceleration on an interchange, I got a large sudden cloud of blue or grey smoke from the exhaust. Engine temp was fine, and it still boosted just fine afterward. There was no discernible loss of power. Upon inspection at home, all fluid levels were okay except the lubricant for the supercharger (which is automatic transmission fluid, for what it's worth,) which was below the low mark on the dipstick. I filled it to a bit over the high mark on the dipstick, and let the car sit 'til today. I tried driving it for about 40 miles, and hit boost a few times. About the second time I hit boost, I got the smoke from the exhaust again. Checked the supercharger lubricant again, and it's back down to about 1/3 of the way above the low mark. So, what's happened? My gut reaction is that I blew a lubrication seal of some sort inside the supercharger, and I'm seeing that come out the exhaust, but I'd like to hear ideas from anyone who may happen to have input. Thanks, Collin

04-16-2012, 05:35 AM	#2
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD iTrader: (1) Posts: 874 Rep Power: 15	That would be my best guess. If the oil level drops, it's got to be going somewhere. If you're not seeing any signs of an external leak, it must be getting ingested & burned by the engine. Since you said you saw smoke on decelleration, when the engine should be pulling a vacuum this makes sense. The lube is getting sucked past the SC seals into the intake manaifold & burned up.

09-27-2012, 08:45 PM	#3
MmSadda BOOSTED COLON Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 88 Rep Power: 17	Since I posted this thread originally, I had the blower rebuilt by Paradise Wheels (the company that services the blower and owns the rights to it, etc.) and had an intercooler added and the car re-tuned. I had the smoking issue again, and sent the blower back to Paradise Wheels - they found no moisture in the blower, and no cracks in the casing. If that's accurate, it means I'm getting oil (or something that's causing smoke) sucked into the engine another way.... unless smoke could be caused by running too rich. Is that possible? For what it's worth, it seems to be a greyish smoke, though I could be mistaken.