Mini Cooper S 2002 (r53) - Supercharger "weird" sound

[s a m u e l]

Hi. I recently bought a Mini Cooper S 2002 (r53)...this morning the Supercharger sounds like a car without oil!

Anyone know what maybe happen?

...My first think is the car oil is too low, I make a oil change but the sound continue when I accelerate between 2 - 3rpm ..the sound location is on top of engine below the intercooler!

Any help?

Thanks a lot!

[coompartoo]

From your description it is highly likely one of the supercharger gearboxes has run out of oil.
They are factory sealed but with a bit of luck it is the gearbox driving the water pump that has run dry as it holds the least amount of oil.
There are oil plugs on the end of the gearboxes and you can reach the waterpump one by removing the water pump.
If you keep driving the gears will cut out and BMW does not service replacements - you have to replace the whole supercharger at a cost in Australia of AUD$3,500.
If this is the problem I can source gears for you ex Australia. The bearings and seals are standard and readily available.
Hope this helps

[robj1987]

Sounds similar to the problem I had with my car a few weeks ago. In the end it was the alternator that was broken and the problem is fine now.

[MiniVa]

My R53 is from fall 02 and has a 2nd motor in it but that's for a different post. As for the wierd sound coming from the top. I noticed with both of my motors have had a what sounds like a roller or cam with no oil. I have though noticed once it warms up and or drive in first to the red line once. It goes away, I feel there is a galley around the # 1 piston that is slow to fill and work like the others. As for the super charger its built to never need any service. Everything is sealed and built so it can last the life of your car. I feel that the super charged motor have always had there weird sounds and kinks. But there still strong fast long living motors.

[jenko]

I recentley posted a similar aacount about a very similar noise cutting in at exactly 3500 revs, sounds like a worn out motor with no oil...
03 plate cooper s

I took it to mini main dealer and they could not diagnose but suggested was comming from the bottom end of the engine? They quoted me £2000 just to strip the engine and check out without actually fixing it.... also adivised it needed a new clutch at the same time at a cost of £900????

Part ex'd for a slightly newer (53) with 70k on the clock and low and behold the same noise is back!

Having read similar post is this the super charger gearbox running low on oil? I am £2k out of pocket having to trade my old car in....

[Stripe-man]

oh yea...

I to had a weird noise coming from the engine.. To me it sounded like someone was shaking the crap out of a metal can full of glass marbles or took those same marbles and placed them into the rocker cover and started up the engine.

Come to find out it was the Hydraulic Timing chain adjuster. Its about as big around as dime and about 3/4 inches tall. It has a hole in the top about the size of a pencil led. The part that moves is encased with a metal sleeve. Dirty oil and esp those with a SC have problems with dirty oil causing the small metal 'piston' getting in a bind within this sleeve.

Once mine got replaced it was fine.

[Keano]

I would guess its more likely to be engine tappets / lifters not charging properly because they are blocked - is the noise directly related to engine speed ? tend to die away when the car is warmed up ? if so the above are likely to be the cause.

another option, if coming more from the left of the engine bay best heard through the wheel on the SC side it could be a timing chain tensioner....

Check out my video of the broken hydraulic lifters, it may help you: http://www.youtube.com/user/Keano04JCW




If in doubt take it to a dealer / specialist

[Stripe-man]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keano (original)

if in doubt take it to a dealer / specialist

That should always be the case.

[thevastdifference]

first theres that clearly audible whine, then a secondary high pitched whistle.. you can only hear it when i'm in gear, no matter how fast or slow i'm going, even when i back up..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6mFmvtQQ9I

any ideas?

[tedward]

Surely the fact that you only hear the niose when in gear points to a gearbox/ drivetrain issue. ?

[Stripe-man]

How many miles do you have on your Mini?

Sounds like drive train but by the way you are explaining it sounds like the SC. take it to a qualified mechanic for a diag.

[thevastdifference]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stripe-man (original)

How many miles do you have on your Mini?

Sounds like drive train but by the way you are explaining it sounds like the SC. take it to a qualified mechanic for a diag.

when the video was made, it was at 79k miles - i took it in and had the idler pully changed as well as the accessory belt- they showed me that the bearings were all worn out, and it solved the whistling.

however, now i have a obnoxiously loud ticking/rattle noise coming from the top of the engine, which i'm curious to know if its a bad water pump or my SC dying? i now have about 86k miles, and the supercharger can still be heard and somewhat normal as it sounded a year ago when there was no rattling noise..

[Stripe-man]

Does the sound sorta resemble lilke someone put some marbles in your rocker cover and started the engine ? If so, 10 bucks says that it is your hydraulic tensioner and get it to the shop asap before it causes the chain to either come off the gear or snap.

Be sure to keep the oil clean. That tensioner uses motor oil for lubercation. ****** design. Motor oil also lubercates your SC. Also lame. I am not sure what those guys were thinking when they engineered the mini.

[mab01uk]

2002-2006 MINI Cooper S Supercharger Oil Service:
https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/d...er+Oil+Service

[Stripe-man]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

2002-2006 MINI Cooper S Supercharger Oil Service:
wiki.bentleypublishers.com/display/tech/2002-2006+MINI+Cooper+S+Supercharger+Oil+Service

Interesting and thank you for posting. Those words I spoke of about the SC being lubercated by the engine oil was from the dealer O.o. I have yet to be impressed with BMW dealer mechanics. They burred my ALTA aftermarket SC pulley and caused me to loose 3 belts.. eh.. never mind. no point in bringing that up.

Thanks for the update on that.

As per that thread posted by mab01uk, check that fluid level. I have been through on SC already. Very pricey to replace. I know for a fact. Once you check that fluid/refill. See if you still get that sounds your talking about (unless it is as i described - then take it in immediatly. You do NOT want that car running and that chain coming off or snapping.