Hi all,

I installed my Sprintex supercharger on my 03 MCS in July and it has been running great. But, on Saturday a bad noise started, and from touch, it seems like it is coming from the passenger side horn coming out of the super.

From inside the car it sounds like a diesel engine, and when testing for bad fuel (refilling with seafoam and new gas) the sound appears to go away as the rpm raises.

The sprintex is still under warrantee, and I have a call into Dustin and Rick, but I am trying to think of other possible reasons and the resulting cost.

Some possibilities:

Water pump (cheap)(don't think so because it was replaced with the sprintex kit and it still runs when the car is shut down (electric)

supercharger (cheap, warrantee)

bearing in engine (~2500-3500)

anything else on serpentine belt (alternator, ac)


I have a video that captured the sound very well and I can email it out (duffman05(at)sbcglobal(dot)net).

I am going to buy a stethoscope to try to listen to the engine better, but I don't want to run this engine any more than necessary.

The other things I did when replacing the super:

0% lightened crank pulley
cool air intake
baffled oil pan
new air diverter
coolant and hose change
new plugs
top "X" engine mount
rear sway bar and control arms
front suspension reinforcement plate
transmission fluid change

Any advice would be great,
Thanks,
Mike

 

Get an automotive stethescope & check the front of the engine (timing cover), could simply be the timing chain tensioner piston.

 

Could you give a link to the image for where the timing cover is?

Thanks

 

Easiest place to listen is near the bottom of the valve cover anywhere near the front of the engine, basiclly where the timing chain and cam gear are located. Read up on any of the timing chain tensioner threads to understand why I think this is the problem.

 

The sound definitely matches up with the sound others have posted about the timing chain tensioner. I have been trying to find a good how to on it and the actual part numbers I need but I can't find one for the r53 (alot on the r56). I believe the parts I need from realoem.com are 11317510801 and 07137510732. I have the bentley manual but the only way it shows to get the tensioner out is when you replace the entire assembly.

Thanks alot for the reply btw
Mike

 

Mike, the only part you need is the piston itself, I don't know if it's a dealer only item, I've obky gotten mine from there.
There are more than a couple of how to's here, so you'll just have to pick your prefered method, it will require a 19mm socket & universal, or 19mm swivel socket though & as manny threads will tell you, it absolutely needs to be re-torqued.

 

Cool, I ordered the the bolt with the gasket too...no biggie as it was only $8 from mini of south atlanta. Thanks a ton for the help...and I'll let you know how it goes

Mike

 

Duffma05

You may want to check the bearings on the supercharger there's a history there. Sprintex has already worked to resolve the issue, but I don't know how old you SC is. A friend of mine just replaced his Sprintex under warranty. He heard the same thing you did, but after awhile his ECU shut the engine down. Sprintex immediately took care of him once they knew it was a problem with the bearings. No fuss at all.

 

Minian,

How would I check for that? Just use the stethoscope on the super?

The email that I got from Sprintex said to check the oil level in the super and that if it wasn't low it likely isn't a problem with the super. Was your friends super low on oil?

Since I already ordered the tensioner and it is an easy install (no pulling the MFE, helps since I am in Pittsburgh now and am doing the work in the parking lot and not in my garage back in Dayton), I will do that first before starting the engine again. If it still persists the super will be the next thing inspected.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Update on the blower from Sprintex:
They have determined my unit to be defective from the factory and they are mailing out a replacement tomorrow. From Austrailia first, then to good ol Oklahoma then finally out to Cali. Dang!! Atleast they're working with me pretty well! .

I will update again once I learn more and/or get the new one installed.

 

I recently purchased a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and Sprintex makes a S/C kit for them. After reading through age upon page in forum upon forum, Sprintex is NEVER going to be on any wish list for that... We MINI Sprintex owners have it easy compared to the problems they are having.

 

I haven't seen my friend in a while, I thinks it was the bearings closest to the pulley, but i can't be certain until I see him. Maybe you can collaborate with 'frommagna" and see if your issues are similar. His new SC is on the way.

 

anybody have any experience with a built stroker motor and the sprintex?

 

Ask the man who built your motor

 

probably the best idea out there. lol

 

Got the new blower installed from sprintex and all worked well last night!! No more belt hop. No idea what it was, they look identical.. but im happy he's growling again. I wil keep you guys posted once I take him on the road tonight.

 

Congrats.

 

fr0mmagna

Did you install it yourself? I'm thinking to do it myself and was wondering what the do's and don'ts are.
"Anyone?"

 

Yes, did myself. It was about 7 hours... The hardest part was the coolant system, honestly . .. putting that damn water pump in !! Pretty decent instructions. If you can swap the water pump, you can do the blower.

 

Good Evening,

I am one of the 4 guys that just purchased the Sprintex Kit from Bytetronik.

Very happy with the Service provided by Mike So Far! I was the second to install the Sprintex, with all the new modifications and corrections, and we had 0 to none problems with the installation.
I have a 06 JCW GP, with Everything stock other than Milltek Manifold, Newman Cams, improved BPV and custom exhaust.
100 miles on the way, still with the original Pullie 69, and JCW injectors.
So far so good! I havent passed from the 5k RPM to make sure all metal parts blend in well and smooth! But I am extremely happy with it so far! I believe We will need to work well on the MAP and the CAMS. It feels instant boost at 2k RPM!!!!!
super excited!
I will keep everyone posted! thinking of making the 800 mile mark so we can change the pollie and injectors and do the MAP!!!!!!

 

nice. keep us all posted.

 

Good luck, you are on the list.

 

Update:

Timing chain tensioner replacement did nothing.

Stethoscope pointed to the super

Gear oil was all over the place (throttle body, bypass valve, inlet piece, super, outlet horn, intercooler, intake), supposedly from a failed gasket in the super.

Sprintex replaced the super, which was good. But the bypass valve needed replaced, still gotta fight for that.

Then the MAP sensor was bad, don't know if that was related or not.

Then the passenger side cv joint started to go.

Its been a fun journey, and I can say I really miss my garage lol

 

I feel your pain man... My MINI has been sitting on stands in the center of my garage for a year and 8 months.
Many things factored into my motor failure, but I can say one things for certain... I will not ever make any of those mistakes again, nor will I ever do any business with any of the companies that I feel had a hand (or even a finger) in anything that could have caused it.

 

Soccs- How has it been going so far?
I think I purchased my Sprintex the same time you did. I will install my SC next weekend

Duffman05 - I hope things get better for you, I don't wish those troubles on anyone.