I have an '04 S model with 85K. There is a funny noise coming from the vicinity of the supercharger. Many are telling me that its the timing belt tensioner, some are saying its the supercharger going out or has a bad bearing or something. It isnt that loud, but it is noticable. I am nervous to continue driving it due to the risk or further damage. Besides this noise, the car seems to be running fine...

Is there an easy way to diagnose this problem?

How can I tell if the Supercharger is going bad?

Is there an easy way to tell if it is the Timing belt tensioner?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Steven

 

I had a noise diagnosed a few months ago, the mechanic that heard it told me it was the supercharger nose bearings or something. Turned out the noise was coming from the idler pulley, and a different mechanic heard it, fixed it, and the noise has never come back. So you might want to have that checked out as well.

Does the noise come and go as the RPM's go up? Does it increase in speed(like a ticking noise) or volume?

 

Yes it is like a ticking noise, with a random pace. Mostly I can hear it at idle, but I also hear it in the car when driving. While driving the noise is still there, just much faster, probably not as loud. Definitely most noticeable at idle.

So You just replaced the idler pulley and the noise was gone??

 

Yup, mine randomly started as soon as I revved the engine past ~3k RPM, and the ticking would start and escalate as the rpm's went higher, but it was still there at idle just not nearly as loud.

And yes, I replaced the idler pulley one day and then the noise just went away, I was actually quite happy that I didn't have to replace a $1500 supercharger :P

I would go and get it checked out by a mechanic or two just in case, the idler pulley wasn't too expensive to replace...(Around $100 with parts and labor? I have to look for the receipt...), so get that checked out and maybe swap it out and see if it clears up the problem.

Hope it isn't the supercharger!

 

Talked to a mechanic and he seems to think its a pulley also. I really hope so! Anyway, thank you for the info. Greatly appreciated.

 

Good luck!

 

if its a supercharger i have a jcw charger for sale.
if its just the idler pulley you can buy those on ebay for like 35 bone.
i myself just crack them open and change the bearing for 8 bucks.

 

I know not of what you speak.

 

Me thinks he means serpentine belt tensioner. The R53 has a timing chain and it isn't outside the engine.

 

I was intentionally being a wiesenheimer

 

I know, but we have a few folks that need the translation.

 

 

A good way to check would be to listen to both the pulley end & the waterpump end of the charger using a screwdriver as stethoscope & compare w/ that of a good r53. Best to have both cars parked side by side for comparative diagnosis.

 

Thanks everyone for the info...turns out it is my supercharger. I just got a new one from supercharger techs, installing it on Friday. Im having them send it without a pulley on it because I want to put a smaller one on.

If my car is completely stock, is it safe that I install a 17% reduction pulley? Or should I stick with the 15% pulley to be safe?

Any responses and feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thx,
Steven

 

17% should be fine...gad mine for 4+ years, and in our regional club (all over newengland), the 17 has become more popular than the 15, no issues. We do have 93 octane around here, and most if us do change our belts on a 2 year schedule....
The autox guys mostly stick to the 15, but so.e are using the 17....it is a bit more fun in daily traffic speeds/situations.

 

I just went thru the exact same things a few months ago. It was the IDLER pulley. Sounded like bearing going. Then one day going up a mountain it went into limp mode. The pulley exploded and the belt fell off leaving me stranded. It is cheap and easy to replace so do it and you will know if you solved the problem.