Does running an 98 buick regal without the super charger cause engine damage?

Question

I looked at an 98 buick regal with 150000 miles on it. The super charger needs replacing (found refurb oem for $1100 online, i have a mechanic for the labor). Car is being sold for 1500. Replacing a supercharger from a dealer is about $3000. I just want to know if there is any damage being done to engine or transmission because the car is being ran without a supercharger.

Answer 1

I'm assuming you mean a Turbocharger, in which case it shouldn't hurt anything, just run like a dog. A car with a Supercharger (Rootes blower or Paxton type) wouldn't be likely to even start up.

Answer 2

it should not as long as the belts are on everything else like the water pump and every thing else aside from the supercharger, i am curious if the engine can breath through the charger. you should notice a severe lack of power though, the engine is set up with a lower compression. i hope that you have triple a towing or equivalent if something does go wrong.  

Answer 3

I would doubt it.  The engine will run but with much less pep without the s/c.  It is not an integral part of basic operation of the engine (V-6 I'm guessing)