I am running a 2000 4Runner with S/C. I just passed 50K miles and yesterday I started getting significant gear noise from the nose assembly of the S/C.

Does that sound like the typical life of the nose gearbox (~50K miles)?

I expected to get a gradual increase in gear noise, not an immediate increase over 1 or 2 days. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

I would change out the S/C oil to see if that helps. Maybe gadget has some suggestions.

 

Thanks. I'll probably just swap the S/C oil this weekend and see if it is better. Otherwise, I am still under warranty, I may just take it to the dealer and push on them to swap out the nose gear.

I was mostly curious about how quickly the noise has peaked and the life being about 50K miles.

 

Contact Magnusson , they are the company that manufactures the TRD supercharger. They are quite helpful. If you need a new nose drive, or just an oil kit, you can get it from them.

 

If you remove the oil fill plug yourself you will void the warranty.

 

It shouldn't matter. At 50k on the blower, he's probably out of waranty anyway.

 

Still a little warranty left. Since a Toyota dealer did the original install, I am still good until 5yr/60,000 miles (I just pulled my warranty card to double check).

On Gadget's site I see that he found mention that Magnuson recommends changing the nose gear with 60,000 miles.

Wish me luck at the dealer, I'll post my findings.

 

Interesting. Finally took the 4Runner by the dealer to discuss the nose gear whine. They had it for two days waiting to hear from Toyota if it was covered under warranty. Toyota corp told them it was only covered for 36K miles, so they faxed them the hardcopy warranty that I had along with the install documentation confirming that Toyota did the install.

They called today to tell me that TRD will not send just the nose drive, so they are sending an entire new supercharger. They called back 15 minutes later to tell me that they discovered that the version of the 2nd gen supercharger I had was shipped with a higher boost pulley and would not send the new unit until the dealer swapped the pulley with a larger pulley (always wondered why I was getting 8.5# of boost ). I never knew they shipped one with a smaller pulley straight from TRD?

So, I am assuming that I will still get the gear noise with the lower boost pulley, and *hopefully* will get the who supercharger replaced...

So, I have no idea what story I will get tomorrow after they replace the pulley. I'll post any new data.

 

Contact Toni Tuutogi at Magnuson (805-642-8833 ext 263). He just rebuilt my complete SC and did a great job. He will tell you everything you need to know.

 

Anyone have a link where I can buy the oil online?

 

I have 10 kits on order from my TRD contact but they haven't arrived yet. I would like to know if anyone else has a link to this for those out of warranty like myself.

Todd

 

You can get the same oil from a Ford or Chevy dealer. They sell the oil for the Ford T-bird supercoupe or the Buicks with the SC or the Pontiac Grand Prix with the SC. Our SC takes 4 oz. of oil.

 

Killer, thanks for he info!

 

Just a final update. The nose gear/drive was bad, and I was still under the factory 5 year/60,000 mile warranty. Thanks to Todd from the boards for explaining the warranty situation with me. Ends up TRD has the dealer replace the entire S/C instead of just the front drive due to their arrangement with Magnuson.

Bottom line is that I now have a new S/C on my 4Runner as a warranty replacement. Sweet.

Can't wait to get the new 305cc injectors installed!

 

Sweet, super sweet.

 

I also am starting to get the gear noise in my nose drive. However, I'm not sure if I have warranty or not on the S/C. It was installed by the dealer in October 2001 and I have almost 30K miles on the unit and almost 80K miles on my truck(99' Tacoma). Is my blower still under warranty? If so, I would like to have mine replaced as well..

 

It doesn't sound as though yours would still be under wrranty. When we sell ours they come with 1 of 2 warranites. Either it is a 12 month unlimited miles or it falls under you power train warranty. With your rig having almost 80k on it and unless you bought an extended warranty I doubt you will get it warrantied. Toni has told me the nose gear is $301.00 plus labor (can't remember what that cost). Give Toni a call, Magnuson Inc.
805-642-8833 ext 263. He will be able to tell you for sure.

Todd

 

kaneman23,

My warranty for the S/C specifically called out support under the original powertrain warranty period. So, it sounds like you wouldn't be covered if you are at 80K miles on the vehicle itself.

Appears to be time to call Magnuson.

Thanks again Todd for the nice deal on the new injectors!

 

No problem anytime!

 

Thank you for the answers. I didn't think I was under warranty any longer. I will be calling Magnuson soon..