R53 Mini Cooper Engine Noise

This noise seems to be coming from the serpentine belt area. When an automotive stethoscope is used, the noise is most prominent when it is placed on the belt tensioner or the belt side of the supercharger. Is this noise normal or does anyone know what it is? It's not cold start rattle because it is a 2003 R53 model.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• R53
• Mini
• Cooper
• Supercharger
• Noise
• Rattle
• Engine
• automobiles

[BlindmanBrewer]

That should be $400 not $40.

[BlindmanBrewer]

I did figure out what this was. The gears on the water pump drive PTO on the back of the supercharger ran out of lubrication and began to erode each other, causing the grinding, rattling noise. I could have bought a new supercharger to fix this but that would have been appx $3000. Therefore I took out the stock water pump, had a piece of aluminum pressed in the supercharger where I took the pump out, and rerouted the coolant system with an aftermarket electric water pump. Total cost around $40

[ST150Dan]

hello i'm thinking i might have the same noise :\, was yours just at idle and low revs? mine makes that noise at idle and ,3k revs, after that it sounds fine, sounds familiar?

[andysixspeed]

Did you find out what this was, or if it was anything bad? Mine makes a similar sound...

[white95sl2]

I am having a similar sound on my '06. I can't really tell from the video if it's the same.

I have thought it was the tensioner but I have read up on the supercharger rattling so I'm worried that might be it. Does it make louder noise when coming off idle? Have you found out what it is?