Hello Supercharger Fans!!

I bought my ounce of perfection about a month ago down in Melbourne, FLA. I know some of you guys keep tabs on the AutoTrader site and you may remember my car. It was the one that only had the price and mileage posted...and I bought it before they got any pics up(they had them on their website, however)....Got to move quick when you've found a good deal. I got it for $16,000 with 15,333 miles on the clock....garage kept, babied, and bought off the showroom floor in 2007. I live in northwest Louisiana and it was about three weeks before I could make arrangements to fly down there and pick it up...My salesperson, Barb said they got so many calls they began to think perhaps they sold it too cheap...

Anyway, I have been checking out the site and have been learning alot. I suspect my Intercooler pump my be crapping out. Like alot of other owners my car seems to have a split personality. Running like hell one moment hesitating and ignoring the throttle another. And my car sometimes will surge when being throttled up or down and then kind of pull back....

Anyway, I read somewhere that the intercooler pump on the MB equivalents of our cars stays on 15-20 seconds after the key is turned off and can be heard from the front of the car. I can't hear mine on my car. I was wondering if any of you fellas know if the pump should stay on our cars after shut off. I've got to get this beauty to be up and on all the time.

Thanks in advance for your help and for this treasurehouse of info!-Rusty

 

Congrats on the purchase.

I could never hear mine running.
After I replaced it I could still not hear it - you can feel it though.

I went with the Ford lightning, but hve the Johnson sitting here waiting to be put on

Basically once you touch the gas pedal it is on till you shut the car off, as I understand it.

Sounds like it is time for a new one.

 

Is that Lighting pump still available? If so could someone post a link? I noticed that Needswings has a stocker for $125, I believe, and doesn't require the Ford plug. Which is the best deal?

 

All over ebay for $90.

If you upgrade go with the Johnson pump - best price I found was $145 w/ free shipping

 

I believe the IC pump is relay controlled to turn on/off at around 2000RPM.
I know I saw a fantastic video demo from Waldig (Woody) somewhere that demonstrated this but I can't find it. It may have been on youtube??
Someone will know where to find it.
Also, there is a post on here to show you how to rewire the IC pump circuit to have your pump go on and off with the ignition.
Awesome stuff!!!

 

I've read that there is some concern over the Johnson pump and intercooler core leaks, but as others have said isolation of the intercooler system from the engine cooling set up should reduce the pressure on the core by approximately 15 psi negating the Johnson pump's higher pressure.

I personally wonder if the higher flow of the Johnson is really ever realized however due to flow restriction in the intercooler itself. I watched the videos by Woody, which are excellent, and his results with a system flow of 3.9 gals/minute even though the Johnson is rated much higher seems to point in that direction.

Has anybody had any problems with the stock relay handling the increased draw from the Johnson pump? I am guessing that since it moves so much more liquid it must use at least some more power. I do like the fact that it is rated with having a 5000 hour lifespan...that's a lot of driving.

 

Thanks all the pointers so far guys!!

What's the easiest way to gain access to the pump. I hate to go tearing into stuff on my baby...its like messin' with a virgin...

Also since the intercooling system in linked to the engine cooling system would there still be some flow throught it even if the intercooler pump is completely out? Like the flow through a heater core?

 

that my friend was the deal of deals,I tried to buy it but tooooo late! good for you. I got one closer to home (ontario) in Michigan , black srt6 roadster smiles all round!

 

Welcome to both FireAnt and muskoka srt6. Enjoy the ride.

 

Grats....best color also!!

 

Congrats and ditto on the color selection. Now go find some more SRT-6's to play with.

 

2 things to look for....the pump, or the IC sensor, which tells the SC to shut down if too hot....I had a sensor bad, but they replaced the pump before they found it...good luck, welcome to the topless club, and what a deal.....

 

Thanks everybody for all the info and kind words...Sorry they didn't have two Muskoka...Sounds like you scored out just fine though...I'm sure there are guys on here that got better deals than I did....There seems to be a good supply of low mileage specimens out there....I think this car was a favorite of the mid life crisis set. I'm still just amazed that you can get what is essentially a Benz AMG for what one of these can be had for. Viva corporate mergers!!

 

Doc,

How much did that Intercooler sensor set you back?

 

Hey congrats on the new ride.

All your symptoms were Identical to the ones I had on mine when I first bought it. Especailly the surging. I have had both a working stock pump and the Johnson pump on my car and can tell you there is a visible difference with the amount of fluid they flow.

While I was performing a air bleed on it, I tried two pumps. Dont ask (Somehow I could not find the fricken fuse, after I changed it it works so now I have 2 working pumps) The Johnson flows way more fluid than the stock.

Oh yeah, The pump turns on after you put the car in gear and rev past 1200. You can do it without even moving just press the brake and the accelerator at the same time. Pump will go on at 1200 rpms and stay on until you turn it off.

Have fun good luck

 

Welcome. Best color for sure. I bought mine in Feb 06 w/275 miles on it and have never had any I/C pump problems. I now have 13k on it. I wonder should I upgrade the pump for better performance..hmmm...

 

it was under warranty, but I would think they would be under $50....but, I would have a pump standing by....I have one on the shelf...Johnson...