1st Gen R53 Cooper S Belt replacement suggestions...

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by beken, Feb 3, 2014.

  1. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    Hi,

    I have a 15% reduced pulley on my car. Have for many years now. I have always used a NAPA belt. However, in the winter, I have gotten used it it slipping a bit when the engine is cold. It's time for another belt, but I was wondering if using the more expensive JCW belt would reduce the slipping belt in the winter.

    Would it be worth the additional expense? or does anybody have a suggestion of what other belt to try?

    I've pretty well decided the reason the belt slips in the cold is because the rubber gets hard and the reduced size of the pulley makes it difficult to grip.

    Thanks for your suggestions.
     
  2. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

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    Have you replaced the tensioner?
    It shouldn't be slipping in the cold.
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Depending on the miles you have it well could be a tensioner. You are hearing the slip on cold start, but odds are good it is slipping at high rpm too you just can't hear it.

    I change the belt out every 30,000 miles, because they will begin to slip. I believe NAPA belts are made by Gates.

    I replace my tensioner every 110,000 miles whether it needs it or not.:) Also replace the idler pulley & if you have a lot of miles put an ATI damper pulley on there too. Don't forget a new crank seal.
     
  5. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    The tensioner was replaced just before my car passed the 100,000mile mark.

    The NAPA belts I used always slipped a bit in the winter. Even in its first year. Note...I am in Vancouver BC where it is generally cold (near freezing, but not actually freezing) and damp.

    In the spring, summer and fall, I don't get any slipping. My mechanic buddy tells me most of the new belts slip a bit now because the rubber they use is rather susceptible to temperature swings here. I'm not sure if that's true, but the NAPA belts seem to be like that for tow of my cars.
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Well my next suggestion will correct your issue for sure. :D

    More to a place that is warmer, Florida? :lol::lol::lol:

    Just kidding.....
     
  7. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Maybe a Hakkapellitta belt for winter. :)
     
  9. Tummi_Gummi

    Tummi_Gummi New Member

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    Please link me the oem tensioner on amazon!!
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    It's in my post and I see Nathan posted it again. :Thumbsup:
     
  12. Tummi_Gummi

    Tummi_Gummi New Member

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    Well that's gates not oem. I can order than from oriellys all year long at that price
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    It's the exact same part as OEM with Gates name on it. I took a brand new Gates tensioner to the Mini dealership and my parts guy pulled and OEM one and they are exactly the same down to the part number stamped on it and all the other markings.

    My parts guy was amazed and could only say OEM one comes with a 2 year warranty but for the cost of the Gates unit I could buy 3 vs 1 OEM unit.

    BMW / MINI outsources replacement parts.
     
  14. db130

    db130 New Member

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    I had to replace the alternator recently and replaced the belt at the same time. I went with the Gates K060535. I also have a 15% pulley.
     
  15. beken

    beken Well-Known Member
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    Thanks everybody. I'll see if I can find a Gates belt here in my area.
     
  16. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    For some parts, like the tensioner, that is fairly easy to replace, I'd go with the cheap one.

    I bought a water pump at the parts desk a few years ago when doing a deep service (Supercharger oil change). When I started having an intermittent electrical issue about 5-6 months later, I went back to the dealership for service. When they called me the next day to say that they would need to replace the water pump (bad shaft seal) before running the car to diagnose the electrical issue (apparently a strong leak) I told them that was great news. The service advisor was very confused, as he was calling to tell me about over a thousand dollars of unplanned work (a water pump replacement is 6-10 hours work). I said "Nope... that's great news because you have to cover it all... that's a new OEM part!" One quick email with the receipt and the new part and labor was free! :D

    Just a reminder that sometimes the expense at the parts desk is a very small part of the total bill and the warranty is nice to have.
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I'm truly amazed your dealer ate the labor on the water pump, since it was you who installed it. I'd have figured they would have handed you a new pump when you handed over the old DOA one. Me thinks you were very lucky.
     
  18. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Well my dealer did the same thing for a Tensioner paid "full price" - my discount :ihih: at the dealership a year after Helix install it. The bushing went to crap and they gave me a loaner and replaced my tensioner under the 2 year parts and labor warranty. I owed zip, zilch, zero and told the not to even think about washing my car. :lol:

    Yeah even on my (cough) very non OEM / modded (cough) car. :Thumbsup:
     
  19. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    Wow another lucky guy. Could you head out to the convenience store & pick me up a couple of lottery tickets? :Thumbsup:
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I have been buying the twice a week.:Thumbsup:

    Remember if I win I am renting Fontana for a month and paying TN to close off the Dragon for just us MINI owners. :devil::lol:
     

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