Hi, I just got a 06 R53 JCW with 60k miles on it. I noticed a loud hissing sound from the engine bay. The previous owner said it was the bypass for the super charger but I'm not sure. I never had the JCW only a standard R53. I just had it over at MINI to get an oil change and they commented on it as well. They said it could possibly be an air leak, but that the car runs great so not to worry.

Anyone here know what that might be?

Is the former owner correct that it is the bypass?

Also, there's a clicking noise on hard acceleration. Should I be concerned? I searched the forum and the only thing I have found was a bunch more questions and uncertainty about the clicking noise. One possible answer was the JCW airbox flap.

Thanks.

 

can you post a video or sound clip? I've had a 06 JCW and now have a 08 JCW R52, and the closest thing to a hiss I get is when i "de-flapped" the air box. maybe the PO did that too?

As for the clicking, i dont believe either of mine have that trait.

 

I will try to get a vid tonight. When I turn off the engine you can hear the hiss for a second after the engine is off. It sound like it's coming from the left side of the intercooler/supercharger. Is there a vac line near there?

I'll check to see if he deflapped it. if he did the electrical connection to the airbox should be hanging behind the airbox, right?

 

I suspect there is, but every time I've had a vacuum leak, I also had a CEL

 

BTW, does anyone happen to know off hand if there's a shop that does supercharger oil changes? I don't have the garage space or the mechanical ability to pull the entire front end off my car to get at it.

 

I suggest that you do not spend money on a supercharger oil change because of the large labor cost since the supercharger has to be removed. If you change the oil you still have an old supercharger and water pump. I would wait until you actually have a supercharger problem and then just replace the supercharger, water pump, and gaskets.

 

I know you're probably right but I'm sort of obsessive about try to keep my cars running tip top.

 

This is the same advice Chad at Detroit Tuned gives.

 

**UPDATE**

So, I stopped over at MINICORSA this morning and spoke with Danny. He looked at it and said the hose/pipe that connects the supercharger to the throttle body and the vac hose has a leak in it somewhere. Either due to a loose connection or a break. He will be fixing it on Monday.

I'm surprised that Universal Mini didn't find it. I had it over there last Monday.