Anyone out there with a C38-81 not mounted? Need to know roughly how much effort it takes to spin the pulley by hand. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

I had one on my M3 and it was not a lot, but I guess that's kind of hard to describe online. Less so than a Vortech blower... Are you suspecting that yours is about to seize?

 

Yea, had some work done on it at a shop and I think the reservoir got laid down on its side and leaked out the traction oil. I didn't check it before I left, just looked for leaks at the banjo bolts (brain fart). Now no boost and it's not circulating oil. With an 3-4" allen wrench on the back of the drive side it takes decent effort to rotate it, plus can hear it grinding a little.

 

From what I remember, while it wasn't anywhere close to freewheeling, it only took a bit of effort to turn it. More like it was damped than stiff, if that makes sense

I would go after that shop hard. If you have no signs of leaks, and it was definitely full the night before, I don't see any other option than it was drained, intentionally or not.

Does the impeller spin independently of the pulley? Any further word from the shop yet? (text me if you prefer)

 

Right before mine locked up it became way louder, more like a V1 Vortech. After it locked up it wouldn't turn at all, not even by the starter...

 

It doesn't take much effort. It turned by hand pretty easily when I had it off. Something like <5 ft pounds if I had to guess.