Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Supercharger Oil Service for the R53 - Discussion Thread

  1. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Mike - sorry about your SC, that really sucks. Hate to see it when these do this.

    Another excellent MINI/BMW "lifetime" fluids / lubrication story. :roll eyes:

    Truth in advertising - the oil in that supercharger was "good for the life of the supercharger".

    Dead supercharger, no need to change the oil. Just like MINI said.

    I know, I know... the problem is the seals, not the lube. But still... I hate this engineered obsolescence and "green" total-lifecycle waste reduction crap. If BMW/MINI would have recommended service intervals that treated the car as it it was designed to last 500,000 miles, then it would. Instead they treat it like it's disposable, and it is.

    Grrrrrr.
     
  2. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    There are other threads where the Sprintex discussion can be had on Motoring Alliance. Given the seemingly explosive nature of that topic, I ask that the Sprintex thoughts be shared in those threads so that this thread can remain open as a place to ask questions about supercharger oil replacement.

    Thank you.
     
  3. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut: Yeah and brake pads during the Dragon:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:(sorry DaveO-I couldn't resist):Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  4. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    No not worn or in need of replacement.


    Rotate the supercharger pulley a half turn in both directions, the lobes should move at the same time, if there is any play, a nose gear is damaged. Remove the supercharger output duct, if large patches of coating are missing, most likely a bearing is bad. In either case, replace the supercharger.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Look at the weep holes on the waterpump, one is in the side, the other toward the input key, if either show signs of leaking fluid, replace the waterpump.

    [​IMG]



    A fun fact, a supercharger with great lobe seal will inflate a bag with just a few rotations of the pulley by hand, and hold pressure for several seconds; poor sealing lobes will not.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    MINI/BMW's definition of lifetime = "Until the warranty expires and it's no longer our problem" :D
     
  6. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    I love the 4 tube fluroescent fixture that drops right down into the engine bay... very nice!
     
  7. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Just FYI and it may not apply to this car but for that odd rattle and before you pull out a SC make sure your alternator does not have a cracked housing.

    I thought I had the death rattle starting in my SC and it turned out that it was the alternator this past Spring before the Dragon.
     
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    :lol::lol: You Deeeeck :lol::lol:
     
  9. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    THAT PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP! :cornut:

    "an 80k to 100k service item, depending on who you ask".

    Look forward to the read.:Thumbsup:
     
  10. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    It's taking a bit of extra work to get ready, but should be out soon... the article is probably one of the longer ones on MA... 20 pages with 28 photos/digrams (though 2 of those are beauty shots of the engine bay after the addition of powdercoated supercharger horns). It covers not just the Supercharger oil swap, but also the replacement of the oil pan gasket.

    Steve is moving the hosting of the images to the MA galley and Nathan is making a home for the imbedded PDF file of the instructions (easier to print and carry out to the garage).
     
  11. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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  12. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    Fantasic

    This is one of the best DIY threads I have ever read!!!!!:Thumbsup::Thumbsup::Thumbsup:

    I found only one item that I may have either given a better explanation or omitted from the thread.
    If you are curious pm me and I will tell you what it is.


    GREAT WORK!!!!:::Thumbsup::Thumbsup:
     
  13. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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  14. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Nice job on the write up Aaron....:D
    Great addition to the library all....:Thumbsup:
     
  15. ColinGreene

    ColinGreene Well-Known Member
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    For the crank trigger i would just replace the O ring, its 5 dollars. never hurts to wash the front of the motor also once appart.
     
  16. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    Hope people know that if your washing your engine you better have some kind of a recovery system in place. This is for sure at a shop.....but not 100% at a residence? Anyone? And I'm sure California is :crazy: :lol:
     
  17. ColinGreene

    ColinGreene Well-Known Member
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    Ill be sure not to kill the dolphins next time. Its just much easier to deal with automotive repairs when everything is clean, I think you will agree being you work at the Custom mini shop now.
     
  18. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    I'm getting some great feedback and learning lots from PMs being sent. Please keep 'em coming. I'll make an update once the feedback trickles down a bit so I don't drive poor Nathan and Steve crazy with version after version! Thanks all!
     
  19. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
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    Hmmm... I'm not sure if what I did counts as capture... I was using spray engine degreaser/cleaner, so what I sprayed on + what came off of the engine was wiped up with paper towels and thrown away. It isn't going into the environment at my house, but I guess it winds it's way into the environment at the landfill. I guess that I could have collected the crud (as much as possible) and added it to my growing collection of used oil.
     
  20. jiminni

    jiminni Well-Known Member

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    I don't think its regulated at residences, yet? There might be some areas that are though. But at a business, at least were I'm from it's verboten.