1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Weird pulley sound?

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  1. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #5 k-huevo, Nov 10, 2011
    The link is showing "private" to me, so I can't hear.

    The easy things to do, lift the front of the vehicle, remove the passenger side wheel and wheel well liner. Take tension off the belt, and pull the belt away from the idler pulley. Spin the idler pulley, and spin the tensioner pulley, listen for tinking noises and feel for grittiness. Also, grab the crankshaft pulley and push upward with the heal of the hand; the crankshaft pulley should not be able to rock.

    Without hearing the noise, I would suspect the idler or tensioner pulleys. Unfortunately the tensioner assembly is only available as OEM, the idler pulley is available from a few manufactures, Gates 36168 is a fairly low cost alternative.
     
  2. Ofioliti

    Ofioliti New Member

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    #10 Ofioliti, Nov 10, 2011
    Yeah, it sounds like the bad idler pulley sound I had. Do what KHuevo suggests above: remove the front passenger wheel and wheel well liner (use AGranger's instructions in the Library How tos here on MA). You can use a length of plastic tubing placed on your ear with the other end as a stethoscope to pinpoint which pulley is making the high rattling sound (it works really well). Good luck!
     
  3. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #20 minimark, Nov 28, 2011
    Just an FYI, Gates makes a replacement belt tensioner too. Thanks Blimey!
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Nov 10, 2011
    If you think it is deeper in the engine one of the items I would be suspect of on a model of this vintage is the Crank Pulley. However, you want to listen at the other end of the Super Charger to make sure the water pump gears are not grinding themselves to bits too.
     
  5. RayanMX

    RayanMX New Member

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    #3 RayanMX, Nov 10, 2011
    Interesting...

    So the water pump is located on the oposite side of the SC module below the SC cooler?

    Thanks for replying back!

    Rayanmx
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #4 Nathan, Nov 10, 2011
    The gears that drive the water pump are found on the opposite side of the supercharger from the pulley.

    This is an extreme case below, but over time it's quite possible the lubricant from that end can slowly leak out. This is the result.

    [​IMG]

    Thats why I mention having a listen to that end as well.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #6 Nathan, Nov 10, 2011
    Hummm...that video worked before. To the OP, please change the settings on the video to be publicly view-able.
     
  8. Ofioliti

    Ofioliti New Member

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    #7 Ofioliti, Nov 10, 2011
    I'm getting the "private" message as well.
     
  9. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #8 Steve, Nov 10, 2011
    Something changed, I could see/hear it a while ago.
     
  10. RayanMX

    RayanMX New Member

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    #9 RayanMX, Nov 10, 2011
    Sorry I messed up the video settings, but it's back online. Same link above.

    Thanks for the feedback to all!

    I really appreciate it!

    I will try whatever I can with the limited tools I have. Or at least be prepared for a real damage/cost estimate by my local mechanic...

    :)

    Keep your suggestions coming! :)

    Thanks again!
     
  11. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #11 Steve, Nov 10, 2011
    Here you go: Replacing the Crank Pulley
     
  12. RayanMX

    RayanMX New Member

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    #12 RayanMX, Nov 11, 2011
    I will do what you suggested this weekend.

    You guys are awesome!

    Many thanks to everyone that responded!

    Will report back with my findings.

    God bless!
     
  13. papa-j

    papa-j Active Member
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    #13 papa-j, Nov 24, 2011
    and...

    "Will report back with my findings"

    Hi OP,
    An update please.:popcorn::fingerscrossed:
     
  14. RayanMX

    RayanMX New Member

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    #14 RayanMX, Nov 24, 2011
    Sorry for not replying earlier...

    Well, turns out that after checking with a hose, and judging by the sound its one of the tensioning pulleys, the one on the bottom. (will try to illustrate which part with a photo once I get it)

    Will try to order it tomorrow once I check for the part number. In the meantime the sound stopped with a little WD40 but my mechanic suggested not to wait much longer. :-(

    I will also order the belt and any other items you guys/gals suggest me to get too...

    Thanks in advance and happy Thanksgiving!
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #15 Crashton, Nov 25, 2011
    Glad you have narrowed it down. Thanks for filling us in. :Thumbsup:
     
  16. RayanMX

    RayanMX New Member

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    #16 RayanMX, Nov 25, 2011
  17. k-huevo

    k-huevo Club Coordinator

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    #17 k-huevo, Nov 25, 2011
    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Gates-36168-Idler-Pulley/dp/B001FM9WTC"]Amazon.com: Gates 36168 Idler Pulley: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313NkjuQ6%2BL.@@AMEPARAM@@313NkjuQ6%2BL[/ame]

    NAPA also has them if you can't wait.
     
  18. RayanMX

    RayanMX New Member

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    #18 RayanMX, Nov 25, 2011
  19. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #19 Crashton, Nov 25, 2011
    While you are there replace the belt...
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #21 Dave.0, Nov 28, 2011
    You may also want to check the bushings on the little shock on the belt tensioner.

    My front bushing completely broke and fell out last week and made a pinging metal to metal sound and had to replace it.

    I had replaced it last year and at least it was covered under the MINI 2 year Parts and Labor warranty so it cost me nothing.
     
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