Procharger Self contained Vent solution

SheepDog

Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
30
Location
Middle Coast
Hello all,
Just thought I would share my solution to the dreaded Procharger seal leak issue. I know a lot of people with self contained Prochargers have issues with the seals leaking and it seems the culprit is that the case does not have a way to vent. I know from first hand experience that pressure is indeed building inside the case (I have a P-1x) because after running for a while, I can crack open the dip stick/plug and it hisses and spurts a bit. Try it for yourself and you will see that the heat inside definitely raises the pressure to a positive value in a matter of minutes.

After searching for simple solutions, I found that the Vortech/Paxton plug has a vent hole already drilled in it. ( Vortech PN 7P375-058) So why the hell wouldn't the SC Prochargers have the same thing? To me it looks like the thread pitch/ size is the same as the plug/dipstick for the Procharger, but I did not verify this nor was I interested in paying 33 dollars for a plug, plus 10 dollars shipping. Instead I re-created the same thing with the Dipstick, and drilled a .073 hole into the side, and down between the slot in the top. You could go smaller with the hole, but anything bigger wouldn't fit in the slot. Just make sure your hole clears the gasket. Also, you don't to drill the bottom because that is where the dipstick cable is crimped on.
So far, I have been running this way for about 100 miles, and it seems to be working. No more pressure release when I open the plug. I think there is just enough space between the threads to leak the pressure past and out the top, and this also seems to keep the oil in, but leave just enough room for the pressure to escape. I hope this helps others here. Certainly better than rebuilding simply due to leaking seals. I will report back when I have logged more miles.
Vent 4 (1).jpg
Vent 4 (2).jpg
Vent 6.jpg
Vent.jpg
Vent (2).jpg
Vent 4 (1).jpg
Vent 4 (2).jpg
Vent 6.jpg
Vent.jpg
Vent (2).jpg
 

SheepDog

Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
30
Location
Middle Coast
I'm curious to know how much pressure is actually building inside the case, especially on cars that are being raced and the temps are very high. Even with just spirited driving for an hour or so, the Procharger gets so hot that you wouldn't want to touch it. I assume the seals can withstand a little pressure, but just like a motor with a malfunctioning PCV system, the seals will eventually give way and leak. Drive it around for a while and then while its still hot, open the dipstick/plug and see if any pressure escapes.
 

SheepDog

Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
30
Location
Middle Coast
It seems that Procharger doesn't need to respond to people that have already given them their money. I had issues with a couple of the parts in my kit and they never respond to emails , voicemails or phone calls. I've seen others online that have had seals leak due to positive pressure inside the unit, but Procharger insists that this is normal. The Vortech/Paxton blowers have a vented plug so they know it needs to relieve the pressure so I don't see why the Procharger would be any different.
 

DSG2003Mach1

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2004
Messages
15,906
Location
Central Fl
It seems that Procharger doesn't need to respond to people that have already given them their money. I had issues with a couple of the parts in my kit and they never respond to emails , voicemails or phone calls. I've seen others online that have had seals leak due to positive pressure inside the unit, but Procharger insists that this is normal. The Vortech/Paxton blowers have a vented plug so they know it needs to relieve the pressure so I don't see why the Procharger would be any different.

ya their customer service is pretty shitty most of the time, every once in a while you luck out and get someone who gives a damned and knows their ass from a hole in the ground

interesting to know the others have a vented plug, it was my understanding a lot of leaky procharger seals were due to having an inadequate bypass valve for the boost level causing air to "stack up" in the blower and push the seals out
 

SheepDog

Member
Established Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
30
Location
Middle Coast
I could see that being an issue, but for sure the temperature rise inside the case is causing positive pressure inside the unit. Perhaps the vented plug would also help alleviate the "stack up" as you mentioned. ( I don't know why my photos posted twice, sorry about that) The Vortech one is PN 7P375-058.
 

TheSVTKid

Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2004
Messages
619
Location
House of Boost
I have done the "drill hole" method myself. And all it ends up doing is making a mess on the top of the blower over time.
(I went back to sealed, and never looked back)
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top