[RichJ]

Hi,

I am reasonably new to the 'Modern Mini' owner having purchased a 53 plate Dark SIlver MCS with 21k on it, about 3 months ago. ( My last mini was a '71 Mk3 Mini Cooper S )

I have done about 5k since then and had a few noises cured by my dealer under the Mini Cherished Warranty by replacement of:
- Power steering pump ( whine)
- Steering column ( knock)
- Belt tensioner ( rattle)
- Crankshaft damper / harmonic balancer ( clicking under acceleration)

4 noises down I am left with 1 to sort!

I am now left with a noisy supercharger which at idle producing an uneven rattling, almost like a noisy shaft bearing, or gear meshing noise.

The dealer says that there is a range of tolerances from quiet to very noisy and this is somewhere in the middle!

Has anyone else had a similar problem and successfully obtained a replacement from BMW under their warranty?

If so does anyone have any suggestions to get around the ' normal characteristic' excuse?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[beken]

Mine, shortly after break-in had a very noisy rattling which could be heard even at running speed (over 3000 rpm). The rattling was constant. There was nothing wrong with the supercharger's function but the noise was disconcerting. The dealer couldn't figure out what was causing it so he just replaced the supercharger under warranty. I haven't had the problem since.

As the rattling built up over the course of a few weeks, you might have your dealer make a note of it and bring it back when it gets worse.

Good luck with it.

Cheers!

[beken]

I also noticed it is your first post. Welcome to MINI2.

Let's see some pix

[RichJ]

Thanks I will perhaps go for a second opinion at another dealer and also get some of the other MCS's started up at the garage to hear how they compare.

No pics yet, pretty standard car except later Bullet alloys, but as always as a new owner very few mods so far.......just give it bit more time.......and money!!

[RichJ]

Some info. re supercharger rattling:

According to Eaton it is possible to experience some noise from the gearing mechanism located at the front of the nose extension, and this should go away once the revs are raised slightly, if it fails to do so then I suggest returning the supercharger assy to who u bought it from.

Nose assembly gear noise is common – unless increased noise from new then don’t worry.

The supercharger does make noise, it is supposed to. Under boost it will make a wonderful whine sound that most find very pleasant. At idle it will make a rattling like sound. That is from gear slack in the nose drive. The supercharger uses straight cut gears in the nose drive and at idle there is no load on the gears that they tend to rattle back and forth a bit and that presents as a rattling sound. It should go away if the engine is rev-ed up just above idle. This is all very normal. As the supercharger ages the rattle sound at idle may get louder.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Rich,

Sorry I can't help with your question but, as you are new and living in Devon, please check out our Cornwall & Devon club via the link below

Tigger.

[RichJ]

Tigger,

I think the link was in disappearing ink ! ( it rhymed!)

Can you post it again

thanks

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Hi Rich,

I actually meant the link below the picture at the bottom of the post

new MINI Kernow

Tigger.

[RichJ]

I am still pursuing a solution to the rattling noise on the supercharger.

BMW are awaiting for a regional technician to visit.

I have listened to 3 other Cooper S's of a similar age 2003 (54) with 29k and they all are quiet.

Does anyone else have a rattling noise from the pulley end of their supercharger?

It sounds like a noisy bearing which chatters away in the background.

If BMW says it common then it would be good to find out?

Thanks

[Laxsion]

Quote: Originally Posted by RichJ (original)

I am still pursuing a solution to the rattling noise on the supercharger.

BMW are awaiting for a regional technician to visit.

I have listened to 3 other Cooper S's of a similar age 2003 (54) with 29k and they all are quiet.

Does anyone else have a rattling noise from the pulley end of their supercharger?

It sounds like a noisy bearing which chatters away in the background.

If BMW says it common then it would be good to find out?

Thanks

Try to unplug the power cable of the Power Steering Fan to see if the noise is still there.

Mine got the similar symphom as yours then cured by replaced the steering fan due to the fan bearing problem.

Cheers

[tom2005]

I think my car produces a similair noise Rich.

When the car is not moving, not in gear or without my foot down on the clutch I can hear quite a loud ticking noise. It can be heard from outside too. But once I put my foot down on the clutch the noise instantly dissapears. Its not a pleasant sound, which I'd prefer not to have. It has been to my local garage reagarding this issue and they have said its fine and all mini's do it. Which i know is'nt true because I know other S's that don't do it. Im going to try another dealer for another opinion.

ALSO... My steering column growns when I turn the steering wheel (While in 1st gear)? Its not the electronic whirr noise all minis make when turning the wheel. The garage also said thats perfectly normal? It can't be though??

Thanks for reminding me about getting this looked at again!

Tom

[RichJ]

Mine groaned and clunked! and they replaced the column and the power steering pump without any complaint - wish they were as quick with the supercharger!!

[faster,Tobias!]

Tom2005; Sounds like the throw-out bearing; there was a service bulletin about this for the '05 Cooper with the Getrag tranny -
C:\Documents and Settings\chaynes.BM...ng at rest.htm
MIne does the same when cold, but as it is a 'S' they won't look at it.

[vickietots]

Quote: Originally Posted by tom2005 (original)

I think my car produces a similair noise Rich.

When the car is not moving, not in gear or without my foot down on the clutch I can hear quite a loud ticking noise. It can be heard from outside too. But once I put my foot down on the clutch the noise instantly dissapears. Its not a pleasant sound, which I'd prefer not to have. It has been to my local garage reagarding this issue and they have said its fine and all mini's do it. Which i know is'nt true because I know other S's that don't do it. Im going to try another dealer for another opinion.

ALSO... My steering column growns when I turn the steering wheel (While in 1st gear)? Its not the electronic whirr noise all minis make when turning the wheel. The garage also said thats perfectly normal? It can't be though??

Thanks for reminding me about getting this looked at again!

Tom

Hi Tom,

This might be your problem?
Click me!!

I got my work done under warranty and it has not come back, but I know that other people have had the same work done and it has not solved it.

Cheers Vickie

[RichJ]

Hey Tom!.........you seem to have nabbed my thread!!
..........by the way I also have a noisy clutch release bearing but only on cold starts....dealer says if they replace it then there will be no change........do I believe them?

......back to the rattling supercharger then...........anyone else got the problem?................if not then I can only assume that it's not normal which help my argument!!

[Wurzel]

I know lots of people with the MCS, none of them have a rattling supercharger but they all have the noisy release bearing including me.

Ive been under the bonnet listening to my supercharger and all I can hear is the belt going round and round. I also smacked my head on the bonnet which hurts.

I feel for you, the supercharger is the best bit on the car and to have it rattle would bug me a lot.

[vickietots]

Quote: Originally Posted by RichJ (original)

Hey Tom!.........you seem to have nabbed my thread!!
..........by the way I also have a noisy clutch release bearing but only on cold starts....dealer says if they replace it then there will be no change........do I believe them?

......back to the rattling supercharger then...........anyone else got the problem?................if not then I can only assume that it's not normal which help my argument!!

Sorry RichJ for answering Tom's query!!

I feel for you also I love the supercharger sound of mine and would be gutted if there was a rattle!!!

As for the clutch, if the car is in warranty and it is the fault that there is a service bulletin for then there should be no charge. But as I stated before some people found that it did not cure the problem or that it did but then it came back. Some people are living with it and haven't had the work done as it is not essential and doesn't affect the running of the car.

[tom2005]

Quote: Originally Posted by faster,Tobias! (original)

Tom2005; Sounds like the throw-out bearing; there was a service bulletin about this for the '05 Cooper with the Getrag tranny -
C:\Documents and Settings\chaynes.BM...ng at rest.htm
MIne does the same when cold, but as it is a 'S' they won't look at it.

Thanks for the reply but it does'nt seem to open for me

[tom2005]

Quote: Originally Posted by vickietots (original)

Hi Tom,

This might be your problem?
Click me!!

I got my work done under warranty and it has not come back, but I know that other people have had the same work done and it has not solved it.

Cheers Vickie

Thankyou...10 pages! (I'll have to look after work!)

What work did you have done?


Thanks
Tom

[tom2005]

Quote: Originally Posted by RichJ (original)

Hey Tom!.........you seem to have nabbed my thread!!

Sorry! Its helping us both hopefully though