GMJim

I did a few searches on this but could only find a reference to the LSA in the CTSV and ZL1 but couldn't find a definitive answer. My 2011 ZR1 with about 18,000 miles has started to make a slight rattling noise from the SC only at idle. I think it's probably the isolator. Car is still under warranty so I could replace the stock isolator but was wondering if the one piece Lingenfelter might be a better bet. The stock isolator has a spring in it for a reason so I'm not sure the one piece one is the best idea? I'm concerned that replacing the stock one with another stock one will only mean replacing it again in another 18,000 miles. Has anybody had to deal with this yet?
Thanks
Jim

99HRDTP

I dealt with a similar noise issue with mine at 22k miles. It turned out to be a bad blower which required replacing the SC. I would have it diagnosed by Corvette specialist first since it's under warranty.

gkzr1

If they were to replace just the isolator, they would use the new style which will not fail like the old ones.

GMJim

Thanks for the reply. I am an ex GM tech and the only dealers around here that have LS9 experience have less than I do. I don't want them learning on my car. The shop foreman at one is a very good mechanic but he admits he has not touched an LS9 since his training on one in 2008. He's easy to work with so I'll talk to him.

Thanks! There is a new style?? I looked at a few of the online parts houses for this but can't find it. They only show the complete SC. Would you have a part number? If I were to order one does the old part number change up?
Thanks for the help.

gkzr1

This is the updated eaton isolator. --->
http://www.superchargersonline.com/i...oducts_id=7819

GMJim

Greg
Thanks for the link! I called them and Eaton and learned a lot. The parts associated with the isolator and the isolator itself in our LS9 superchargers are not serviceable at GM. You may have already known that but I thought I could just buy the parts from them and fix it.

Mike
Pretty sure they replaced your supercharger because the isolator is not serviceable.

And to add to all of this, soon GM will no longer have replacement superchargers and you'll have to deal with a rebuilder.


So long story short, if I want my rattle fixed by GM under warranty and it turns out that the rattle IS the isolator, I have to have the supercharger replaced and possibly have to do it again at my own expense in another 18,000 miles because I don't think I could wear another one out in the two years I have left on the warranty OR just put the new style isolator in and forget about it. Decisions decisions!
Thanks.

gkzr1

Correct, and if GM replaces your supercharger, the new one will come with the updated isolator as well.

GMJim

Greg
GM couldn't tell me if the new SC would come with the new style isolator or not. Good to know it does! Still not sure I want to replace the SC or just fix the one on the car.
Thanks

MTPZ06

If its me, I'd go get myself a brand new updated S/C installed for free thanks to my warranty.

GMJim

Sounds like a good idea and I would jump on that if I weren't the WORST ****, fussy, finicky s.o.b. that ever lived!!! I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing some guy who plugs an air line into his torque wrench and thinks a torque spec is a piece of dirt work on my car! I'm way too fussy for that. Probably because I worked as a tech myself and saw how guys cut corners. I may wind up having it done but I'll be camping out at the dealer to watch. There are some good mechanics out there but I seem to run into all the bad ones.

MTPZ06

Yes, I would definitely recommend camping out at the dealer until its done...that's what I do anytime I ever brought my car in. Definitely have to have confidence in the dealer you choose. I lived in North County San Diego for several years before moving up to OC...can't think of any down that way. (not sure where your car is) Only Chevy dealer I had good experiences with was Connell Chevrolet in Costa Mesa. I've since moved to Hawaii...and I'm terrified of the idea of bringing my car to the dealer here.

GMJim

When I lived in Cali (Oceanside) full time I used to go to Weseloh Chevrolet in Carlsbad when I had to but I'm retired now (long story) and I'm presently living in Canada near Toronto. They've got some really good Vette dealers here and one of them is a Callaway dealer but I'm still skeptical. I'm still not sure I won't just replace the isolator with the replacement Greg put me onto. One way or the other I need to just get it done and do my best to make sure it's done right. I'll get over it.
Thanks

99HRDTP

Jim,

Good to know that you know your way around your car enough to know small issues from a more serious problem. When mine started, I had to do some internet research and seek Corvette Forum advice which all pointed toward the isolator. I was leaning toward the Lingenfelter snout, however, the problem progressed and the CEL started to come on, leading toward a bigger problem. I had to get GM VP of powertrain to step in and warranty a SC that was out of warranty based on time alone. Hopefully, your issue is less drastic and you can change the front only. Good luck for sure! Be sure to let us know how you make out!

BLKTA

It may be different for the LS9, but GM has changed "the fix" for the isolator rattle on the LSA on the CTS-V and ZL1 twice now. At first they were replacing the entire SC (which is an easy process), but then they changed it to removing the snout and replacing the isolator with a revised solid version (LPE sells it). They changed it again going back to the spring loaded isolator but now packed with grease, but they will not replace the entire SC.

FWIW I have a 13 ZL1 and the rattle was absolutely horrible after 10K miles, so I inspected it and it was cracked. I replaced it myself with the older LPE isolator with zero problems since then and was reimbursed by GM for the part.

GMJim

Thanks everyone for the input. I'll post an update when I find out what's going to happen. At the moment I'm leaning towards fixing this myself with the updated isolator from Eaton. If GM wants to void my warranty for installing an Eaton part???????? I may need to go with plan B as soon as I figure out what that is!

Red Devil

Hey Jim, whereabouts are you in Toronto? I'm in Vaughan, I should have my ZR1 in a couple of weeks.

GMJim

I'm in Mississauga. Most people don't know where that is so I just say Toronto. Congrats on the ZR1!! You'll love it! Just in time to put it away for the winter. It'l be a loooong winter.
Jim

GMJim

Update
At the time I put the car away for the winter (2nd week of November) I had still not heard back from my dealer. I wanted to know if I replace it will it be a new unit or rebuilt but I haven't got that answer yet.

My plan is to replace the SC IF and only IF it's a new unit with the updated coupler. If GM is now supplying rebuilt units I'm not interested in replacing it and will replace the coupler at my own cost. My car has 18,000 miles on it and has not been tracked.

MTPZ06

I'm with you on your plan, I'd probably do the same thing. Thanks for the update Jim.

c05v3tt3

I realize this is an old thread but did you ever replace your Isolator?