Jim Grant's Tech Tips

'94 Buick Park Ave, Bad Super Charger Bearings?

Q: I have a ‘94 Buick Park Ave Ultra with a 3.8 supercharged motor. I hear a lot of weird noises especially when stopped in drive. It sounds like a bearing or something grinding. I have had the transmission checked, and they said it was OK. Any history of Superchargers making bearing noises under a load condition?

A: Isn’t the supercharger on your engine belt driven? If so remove the belt and rotate the supercharger’s pulley by hand. It should feel as smooth as silk. If there is any binding or roughness the supercharger has a problem and needs service. Do not operate the vehicle if the supercharger is failing. A failing supercharger can blow a hole in a check book like you’ve never seen.