Have a 2003 Mini Cooper S and I just replaced the belt with a Moss Motors belt # 101-217. I am pretty sure that the Supercharger pully is stock, but I don't know how to prove that. Only had the car for 6 months.

I am not sure if I have the correct replacment drive belt. Moss said it was the correct belt, but when I put the belt on, it was looser than the old belt that I removed. I could tell this by the location of the tensioner. It is fully extended now and wasn't on the old belt. I also noticed the location of the 2 holes in the tab that you use to hold the tensioner while you replace the belt. Before I started the replacment, one was showing on top. Now none show. I started the cooper and it ran ok with no belt slippage.

I am concerned that when the belt stretches a little, and they all do, there will be nothing left in the tensioner to take up the slack.

Do I have the correct belt?? Any Ideas??

 

The identification of an upgrade pulley is usually the manufacture's name on the pulley face... If the pulley is black and looks like this it is stock.

As for the belt... Was there another part number on the drive belt package besides the MOSS #101-217... Something like 0406537 or 6PK X 1364?

I have heard that some belts "vary" in lengths from the supplier - concerning news if this variation is considerable... But maybe you got one of the "long ones"... I agree that the top hole on the tensioner should be visible after a new belt install.. So maybe put the old one back on??

One real test for belt slipping is to drive it. When you get to higher RPMs & you hear it squeeling like crazy.. the belt is too long..

The other side of this is maybe the belt routing is not quite right... ??
Check out this link for the routing path..

Maybe that helps??

 

[quote=BBCooper;1781972]The identification of an upgrade pulley is usually the manufacture's name on the pulley face... If the pulley is black and looks like this it is stock.

Yes, that is exactly what it looks like.

As for the belt... Was there another part number on the drive belt package besides the MOSS #101-217... Something like 0406537 or 6PK X 1364?

The number is 6 PK 1388. I am guessing that the 1364 is shorter??

I have heard that some belts "vary" in lengths from the supplier - concerning news if this variation is considerable... But maybe you got one of the "long ones"... I agree that the top hole on the tensioner should be visible after a new belt install.. So maybe put the old one back on??

The old belt is done. I waited too long to replace it. It is cracking and the ribs have some chunks out of it.

One real test for belt slipping is to drive it. When you get to higher RPMs & you hear it squeeling like crazy.. the belt is too long..

It is difinatly too long. I did take it for a drive, no squeal, but in 10K I am sure it will.

The other side of this is maybe the belt routing is not quite right... ??
Check out this link for the routing path..

I bought a couple of Mini Manuals, One is a full 2002-2004 service manual. Expensive but worth it. I verifyed the routing in both manuals and they were both the same.

Thanks for the help. I have worked on cars my whole life, just no Mini experience. Is there a better belt that I should get?? Is the 1388 the wrong belt??

Thanks Again

 

one of my favorite reference sites is this one... www.realoem.com

Looking in there I found the parts number for the stock belt to be 6PK X 1374 - here is a direct link. So your 1388 belt is too long... Since you have a stock pulley I would recommend a belt close to the 1374 length...

FYI the last 4 numers are the belt length in mm.. the other part number I provided was the inch length.. so to match the same length that # would be.. 04060541 or 54.1 inches in length..

If you are close to a NAPA they carry a brand of belt very similar to the stock style... I went with a Gator Back style of belt from Autozone. The main difference is that rib design has cross cuts so it grabs the pullies better... one side effect is a higher pitched belt noise.. kind of like a quiet "blow off" sound when shifting at higher rpms... for the rest of the time it is pretty quiet..

Good luck. Sounds like your doubts on the belt length were right on...

 

How many miles on your MCS?

 

I would have taken the old belt to the nearest auto parts store, and had them put it on their belt sizer. Then you could have gotten the correct sized belt locally.

 

Bump; how many miles were on your MCS when your belt needed replacement?

 

My Mini has 62K on it!

 

Thanks BBCooper,

I think I will go to Autozone and get a Gator back as well. I like Goodyear's products.

Thanks again.

 

How bad was the belt when you took it off? Was failure imminent?

 

I found the one listed by Autozone was to long. last2 #s were 50 in the part# I went to the 47 and I think I could of gone lower in size. Like someone posted bring in the old one and have it matched.

 

The belt was worn, the ribs were cracking and some had lost a chunk or 2. I have seen lots worse though. I just want the reliability.

 

I will take the old one to autozone. It will be the easiest to match although I do want a Gatorback belt.

 

I'm getting to replace the belt on my 02 MCS (37K). Do I really need the tensioning tool?

Ray

 

Yes, I think so, but you can make one. In the Chiltons manual there is directions to make the tool for a few bucks. It was easy to make, I thought, and it works well.

DK