1st Gen R53 Cooper S Belt Bypass the Supercharger?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by matchframe, May 8, 2012.

  1. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    I've seen some mention of people using a piece of c-channel iron (like used to support pipes and wires from warehouse ceilings) as a tensioner tool... read the supercharger oil replacement article for a copy/paste that I did from someone who describes how to get around the need for that tool.

    They can be purchased on-line...$79 here: MINI Cooper S Supercharger Belt Tensioner Tool by Out Motoring I don't know if dealerships carry them in-stock, for sale. I wouldn't think so, but you never know!

    It's possible that the belt just gave way due to age and natural wear. That would be an ideal situation and the fix is under an hour once you have the belt and the tools handy.

    If you are still reasonably close to Dallas, you are welcome to borrow mine for a week or two.
     
  2. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Here's the text that I copied/pasted from NAM, describing how to cheat your way around the need for the tool, including a link to a you-tube video.

    I can't see the video from the office and I've never tried this, but someone on the internet says that it works (so take that for what it is worth... :D )

     
  3. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    I am beginning to think that the belt just failed. It is the original one and the car has 49,000 miles on it.

    I called the local MINI parts desk and they will not sell me a tensioner tool. And they did not know where to find one.

    Where do you guys get your tensioner tool?

    Thanks!

    BTW, the wheels on the Tahoe are Enki brand. Not sure of the model. They were on there when I bought it. I have not seen anyone else with them.
     
  4. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    I am between Houston and Galveston and I was hoping to drive the MINI back to Dallas this Saturday. I appreciate the offer to loan the tool.
     
  5. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    I am going to try this. Thanks!!! :Thumbsup:
     
  6. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    FYI: I replace my belt every 24k miles or 2 years, but I've got a smaller supercharger pulley and I can push my engine hard at times. That, and I enjoy wrenching on the MINI, so it's kinda fun for me. :D

    I think that MINI recommends a change every 4 years / 48k miles, so you just drove 1000 miles too far!
     
  7. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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  8. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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  9. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    Ok, here is what I found..... I had to replace the tensioner assembly, idler pulley and the crank pulley. Only thing I don't have right now is the crank pulley. Hopefully I can get one tomorrow and get the Mini back on the road. I really need to take it back to Dallas on Saturday to my son so my wife can get her van back.

    I was able to make my own tensioner tool. I looked at what the tool looks like and was able to figure out how to make one. Fortunately, I save everything, even old garage door openers.... not sure why, but it paid off here. The bar that goes from the rail to the door made a good tensioner tool.
    Mini13.jpg Mini14.jpg

    I put a bolt that has a pointed end held in place by a nut on the end which goes into the far hole on the tensioner arm. This bolt is a fender bolt from a '97 Jeep Cherokee. I have a lot of those around my garage since I just finished rebuilding my daughter's Cherokee. She had a wreck last March, but I was able to re-build it...I just finished that build early this week. If you are interested in that project, here is a link to a Jeep forum where I was able to get lots of good advice: [ame=http://xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10179]The Re-Build of Kermit (97 XJ) - Jeep Cherokee Forum xjTalk[/ame]

    On the shank end of the door opener, I put some bolts that held at first a piece of aluminum angle iron, which ended up being too soft for the pivot. I ended up cutting a piece of Jeep hood hinge which made for a good angle to pivot from. I failed to get a picture of that, but can post one later.

    This set up works pretty good, but is a little tricky getting it in place, but once in place it works great.
    Mini15.jpg Mini17.jpg

    I got the belt on with no problems, started the engine and immediately noticed bearing noise. I used a stethoscope along with a long screwdriver to isolate where the noise was coming from.... the tensioner pulley. I went to the local Mini parts department and bought a new tensioner assembly and while I was there I bought the idler pulley as well.

    I pulled the tensioner assembly out of the Mini and while I was working on that, I was able to get a close look at the crank pulley and was able to get a good hold of the pulley and it did spin on the dampener.

    That's where I left off for the night. :Thumbsup:
     
  10. Rawhyde

    Rawhyde Active Member

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    That's some good work you did there! I like the home built tensioner tool a lot!

    I don't mind buying tools. Sometimes I think I do most of my wrenching to discover new tools to spend a fortune on, but something just rubs me raw about paying the asking price for a tensioner tool. Way too much money for what it is.

    Congratulations on finding the problem and getting it on the way to being fixed.
     
  11. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Wow, good job on making your own tensioner tool and finding the problems. Who's crank pully are you going with.... OEM or aftermarket?

    Ahhhhh, can I hang with your group during the zombie apocalypse?.... :D
     
  12. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    <takes a bow> :wink:

    Glad you found the problem.

    Definitely a good idea to replace tensioner and idler while you're in there.

    OEM crank pulley is OK... but will likely fail again at some point.

    There are aftermarket pulleys that won't fail in the same way (and probably won't ever fail at all)- both rubber damped and fluid damped are available.

    OEM damper - $300-$450 depending on source
    ATI damper - $375-$450 depending on source
    SFI fluid damper - $250-$350 depending on source
     
  13. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    I have to drive the MINI back to Dallas this Saturday so I have to buy the OEM from the local MINI Dealer. they have one waiting for me at Will Call. I rather buy a fluid dampener, but I don't have the time to wait for it.

    My son really wants his MINI back and my wife needs her van back, so that is why the rush to drive the MINI back to Dallas.
     
  14. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    LOL... I just spotted your city. The next time you need special MINI tools, you might want to post over at HMMS | Houston MINI Motoring Society. I love MA, but you will find lots of friendly, LOCAL people over there who might let you borrow tools (but I love the home-made garage door opener tool!)
     
  15. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    The MINI is now fixed!! I drove it to work today to make sure there are no issues before driving to Dallas tomorrow.

    When I pulled the harmonic balancer/crank pulley, the pulley fell off the balancer as I pulled it off the crank. I had printed your instruction for replacing the crank pulley and kept it on the ground next to me as I worked. That was a great source of step-by-step instructions. I have the Bentley's MINI Service manual, but the printed instructions was much better to have.

    The door opener/tensioner tool worked great! Only thing I need to do is replace the bolts with round head screws. The bolt heads made it difficult to get the tool in place. Once in place, it did not slip at all. I have a drawer in one of my tool boxes that has only MINI related stuff, and I put my new tool in there. I need to take an updated picture and post it here so you guys can see what it looks like.

    Since I needed the crank pulley yesterday and did not have the time to order and have one shipped, I bought an OEM pulley at MINI of Clear Lake. I called yesterday morning so when I got there in the afternoon, they had it ready in Will Call. They quoted me $359 for the pulley, but when I was there to buy it they let me have it for $315 and that included a new bolt. They cut the price since I bought the tensioner there the day before.

    I will definitely call on the HMMS the next time I need help with tools. Looks like a great group of folks! I am thinking about becoming a member so I can have access to their resources. Since I don't own a MINI, this one is my son's, I am not sure if I will need to attend their meetings.
     
  16. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    matchframe, you need to get yourself a MINI. It'll put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Besides, you need your own MINI now that you have that special drawer for MINI tools in your toolbox.

    Glad everything worked out...... And you didn't need a new supercharge after all....:Thumbsup:
     
  17. pmsummer

    pmsummer Well-Known Member

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    On your way to Dallas, be sure and stop at Woody's Smokehouse in Centerville for some great jerky as your reward!
     
  18. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    I like that idea!! Now to convince my wife. :)

    I am so glad it was not the SC!! When I first fired the engine up last night, I held my breath hoping to hear a normal sounding SC.
     
  19. matchframe

    matchframe Member

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    I will have to do that!! I think I have seen billboards advertising Woody's Smokehouse.
     
  20. pmsummer

    pmsummer Well-Known Member

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    They are on both sides of the highway at the overpass (EZ ON - EZ OFF), and it's really quite good jerky. :-D

    I go for the pepper ones.

    I find it interesting you aren't having your son drive the van down to Houston, and are instead having 4-5 hours of extra MINI seat time. ;-)

    I got a Clubman S so I'd have room for the grand-kids.

    [​IMG]

    Here's my eldest grandson in the paddocks of his first car race (and MINI rally). The booster seat's in the back (don't tell his grandmother!).
     

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