94 Previa Supercharger Oil Check

[ek2000]

I have a 94 Previa Supercharged and AWD. I have heard several conflicting things about the supercharger - some say there is a dipstick and some say there is no way to check the oil.

I want to make sure that the supercharger does not run dry - how do I check the oil?



If you know the process I would really appreciate the description - I actually took it to the dealer once and they told me (an hour later) that to do that they need to remove some front-drive components!?!



Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Eugene

[Phi]

I'm not sure about the Sienna Supercharger (SC) in particular, but newer Eaton (ie. TRD, Jackson, GM, Benz) SCs have a drain plug to allow for oil drain and refill. In addition to oiling, it's recommended that the nose of the SC be serviced at 60K miles. You can have the unit sent out to be rebuilt by Magnuson.

Here's a great site detailing the process; http://www.gadgetonline.com/Supernose.htm

or you can have the dealer replace the entire nose similar to this; http://www.uploadtemple.com/view.php/1121902667.pdf

Hope that helps.

btw- Welcome to TN.

[ek2000]

I actually found another forum that has a lot of great info on this:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/previa/

They have an extensive discussion on the subject and I will gie it a shot tonight.

One of the main problems with the Previs supercharger is that most dealer have no idea what to do with it and do not check the oil - and it is also not easy to get to, but you nedd to check it anyway.

Thanks,
Eugene

[Garagetuner1]

Dear ek2000,
The supercharger for the Previa is located way down under brake master cylinder and the dipstick is on the supercharger itself. To get to it, the easiest and less painful way, you must remove the air cleaner assembly (the whole assembly) and the air intake tube that lead into the throttle body. After you did that, you will see the supercharger sitting there and the oil dipstick is on top of it (with a yellow handle) you must reach down and twist it to loose it, then you'll be able to pull it out and check the oil level and the condition of the oil. If the oil is dirty, you must draw it out with a suction tube or syringe and replace with new oil (Toyota Supercharger oil) or top it off if low. Then install all of the parts and you remove.

I have done this many times; this is the easiest way to check the supercharger oil. Best of all, your hand will not get twisted and cuts after the job is done. Good luck!

[qwerksc]

This is on my list for this weekend. New plugs ,wires ,cap, rotor. Supercharger oil sounds like the most diffecult, maybe just on my patience.
94 le sc alltrac 240000 miles. My mechanic says solid rig, Original parts (all the above) time for new.
Also o2 sensors

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by qwerksc

This is on my list for this weekend. New plugs ,wires ,cap, rotor. Supercharger oil sounds like the most diffecult, maybe just on my patience.
94 le sc alltrac 240000 miles. My mechanic says solid rig, Original parts (all the above) time for new.
Also o2 sensors

I need to do the same for my 95 DX S/C with 130k miles on it. I finally found a Chilton manual for the S/C as Haynes only made one for the non S/C Previas.

[qwerksc]

There's enough info on the net to do just about all of this work.
I did the plugs, wires, cap, rotor. no worries. Had jack the beast up a bit to get comfy.
lots of stuff to remove just to get at the actual work. but not bad. I had orginal wires, #2 connecter was powder, chips and chunks. had to get the crap out with a vacuum with 3/8 tubing taped on the end, pita
all wires were done, cracked on the verge of breakin.
Make sure you have 8" plus ext for the plugs and if you break one? have some long needle nose to get at the connecter. I broke #4 and #2 was broke prior. I freaked cause I thought mine were at another
project.
Supercharger oil change? Well, if this little intro is any indication how it is to shade tree these things.
Just make sure you have everything you need to do the project, cuz there's a lot of stuff laying around.
Good luck.
Mark
94 le/sc alltrac 246000

[qwerksc]

Ok then. I handled this today. Took a little time, not bad though, Maybe 45 mins. I didnt take out the whole air cleaner assembly, just the tube that leads to the throttle body for the air cleaner. then forced my small to med sized hand in there. Forken tight fit but got it. in and out for readings and low. I got 2' of 1/8" poly hose and a fairly small syringe and filled it up. Shove the hose in couple of shots, pita check level. pita put hose back in more shots pita, check level blah blah pita, check stick, back in again
finally done. Pita, but done. no blood but some skin loss, minor. replace the air cleaner hose,bang.
Clean up, test drive. She whistles.
Mark

[qwerksc]

P.s get a big syringe. Maybe Petco
Mark

[97ae102]

Doesn't the supercharger refill kit from Toyota come with a tube and syringe already? Yet to perform maintenance on the S/C due to where it is.. but this post is a great help.

[awtomakina]

good post - good responses -





and for the record. try to get an actual TOYOTA FACTORY REPAIR MANUAL - that thing HAS EVERYTHING....

It even has a page on how to get a girl to like an "egg shaped" minivan.

[qwerksc]

I used castrol Syntec. Not the toyota oil. Did'nt come with syringe.

[cmh1129]

here is my two cents on the super charger check and refill...

I have always used the GM supercharger oil in mine ($10 for a big can instead of $44 for a little can). I go to a farm implement store and get a big syringe. They usually came in a bag of two for like $3. then get some tubing to go with it. I always just figured that I was going to loose a little skin doing this job, so I never removed anything... just stuck my hand in there,endured a little discomfort and removed the dipstick... drew the tube down and into the hole and topped off till it overflowed. Removed the tubbing and re installed the dipstick... Done.
This may not be to spec., but I have put many a thousands a miles on the supercharger while maintaining it this way and no failures.....
like i said, this is my two cents....

[midnightrunner]

I have tried both ways, from the top removing the air box and from the bottom as the service manual states. From the top, I was barely able to remove the dip stick and had a lot of trouble putting it back in. I could not for the life of me get any tubing into the oil hole. So, I tried from the bottom and it was much easier. Just time it when you are changing the oil. Remove the engine cover, the suspension support tube with two bolts and loosen shift cable bracket. From there, turn your body parallel to the bumper and you can get at the dipstick without any cuts, bruises, etc.

[fandi1]

HMMMM.... i need to check my S/C it's quite .... nothing no clicking nothing.... i wish you had some pics of what you did...BTW. is there a realay or a fuse for S/C ... i have 95 LE All-Trac with 201M on it. it runs ok but slow on a takeoff i do get some wistling but i think it's from mufler.. Help? thanks