Originally Posted by jetdriverk
So I bought an SRT-6 this past December up in Seattle, WA, and drove it 2,000 miles back down to TX. After having fun gunning the engine on a few straight roads leading out of Seattle, I noticed within the first few hours of the drive that the SRT was transforming into a Prius about 50% of the time. Needless to say, after 2,000 miles of this, I quickly did some research, pinned the blame on the silly IC pump, and ordered a new Bosch one from Rob.
I figure the pump failed due to sitting for 1.5 years (yes, years) without leaving the garage. The car only had 982 miles on it, since the previous owner bought it for his wife. After sitting that long, I speculate that the coolant corroded the main lead part in the pump and caused it to crack (see pics), resulting in my supercharger overheating and having to shut down to cool every few feet.
The install was a b****, since it was my first time doing any work with the coolant system, removing the wheel/ panels, and crimping tiny wires together. But I did get to spend some quality one-on-one time with my SRT, and in the end I took the following pictures of the failed IC pump.
Btw, I'd like to take this chance to say a very big thank you to all of you experienced SRT owners out there whose posts I pour through on a weekly--sometimes daily-- basis, while looking for more tips on how to turn the SRT into the ULTIMATE driving machine.
Finally, a few questions..has anyone ever taken a hose to the undercarriage of their Crossfire? Will I possibly cause water damage to my car by doing so? I'm in Colorado for training and the road salt here is an ugly mess.
Check out the pics, and thanks for all your valuable insight.
Peace.
-Kenny
Ken, thanks for the info on the IC. FYI, I've been washing and detailing cars since the mid-60's, and almost always wash the undercarriage each time with a regular garden hose (typically, about 40 psi) and nozzle, and have NEVER had a problem, so wash away! With todays cars, some of it's even easier than in the past, given the abundant use of plastic everywhere, and especially in wheel wells, which I just don't spray, but wash with a different washing mitt from that I use on the exterior paint. The last thing I do is wash the engine compartment, wipe down what I can reach and dry, and then close the hood and start the engine to let the heat do the rest. It works like a champ.
Lastly, for what it is worth (and this may cause some perked forum ears), I typically only wax my garaged cars twice a year, and those parked outside maybe 3-4 times a year, contrary to some on this forum who say they do it 10 times..., but maybe their circumstances are different. and I NEVER use electric buffers of any kind (save them for your boat), as they remove paint surfaces excessively and cause severe premature wear. Hey, just look at a buffing wheel surface after use -- that's your paint on there. But, again, that's my 2-cents.
Again, thanks for the IC info. This forum is a great place.
regards -- bob