I think he is talking using a pipe as an improvised "stethoscope". One end on the suspected component the other end to your ear. May help pin point the source.
I just reinstalled my SC after a rebuild - coincidentally at 71K miles. The sound it was making was more of a subtle grumbling sound, though. The shaft seal for the water pump drive failed, and the oil was leaking out. I caught it very early.
Defiantly the route I would go. From the description over there - they go above and beyond the factory specs with the rebuild, making sure the has nice and tight clearances.
Went with Dustin at autoxcooper (well, the machine shop he uses) - just called to say that front of the charger bearings were damaged and causing the rotors to touch the case. Said I "caught it early" and didn't do much damage. He's sending a rebuilt unit tomorrow.
Something tells me this market is about to flourish.
Update - good news and bad news. Good news is that the supercharger was ready to be replaced, and Dustin at AutoXCooper.com was helpful in getting me a rebuilt unit. All is installed and working.
Bad news is that it's STILL making the EXACT noise from before. I'll suggest they check the chain tensioner next.
Finally picked the car up today after over a month dealing with this crap. Turns out the supercharger wasn't running properly due to a bad bearing which put undue stress on the alternator. The alt cracked and caused the noise. So I have a new charger (autoxcoopers - Dustin - excellent customer service and turnaround time) and a new alternator.
I can only imagine what else was damaged (water pump?) during this time that will show up sometime soon.
Car feels good. The only difference is that I can't hear my supercharger like I could before. It's weird that the whine is much more subdued. Any thoughts on this?
I'll get some info from Dustin about what makes this rebuild $895 as opposed to the other option out there that's $500.
Water Pump is run off the back of the S/C so in theory it is fine, the only thing would be the gears that run th pump in the S/C. What did they look like and were they rebuilt?
