I've reached 80k now on my lightly modded Mini... and I've been hearing a light rattle for probably the last 10k or so. I brought it to the dealer initially, and they said they didn't hear anything, but the last time I stopped in (radiator fan replaced, $710), I was told that the supercharger needs to be replaced, and that the bearings are going out.

Great. I was quoted 2800--money I simply don't have.

So, I'm thinking of replacing it myself. I'm looking for a deal on the Bentley manual, and am trying to find a low milage supercharger, preferrably the 05+ (I think) coated blower, but anything will do, I guess. I saw a nice one on Ebay with 150 miles on it, but didn't win.

Even moreso, I am looking for someone around the Ohio area that could help me with the indeavor... I am hoping to make it a weekend project, not a week-long (or more) project.

Is there anyone out there that has done a swap/replacement? Any vendors that have 'chargers that have been swapped out for the upgrades?

Nate
SteyrTMP

 

Think Dr Obnx listed a good place to get a supercharger rebuilt in a past thread, might do a search and find it. Think the price was $400.00, I plan to get mine rebuilt at around 75,000 just to be safe considering what a new one cost...

 

Try to save up some money and wait for the TVS.

 

What is the "TVS?"

 

This company does rebuilds including the water pump gears. http://www.stiegemeier.com/minicooper.html

 

TVS is the supercharger JAN is working on for the MINI.

 

Replacing mine at the moment. Water pump gears went out. Re-build was not an option. I was told from several sources these gears are not available. Was not going to pay $1600-$2300 for a new one! Found one on E-Bay for $300. Oil,gears and rotors looked just fine.

Anyway it's no big deal really doing it yourself. Can't say anything was difficult or gave me any problems. May just to say the water pump and SC come off in one peace. Water pump simple presses into the engine block with an o-ring seal. I did replace that.

http://www.michiganmini.org/forum/in...p?topic=4567.0

 

May I ask how many Miles and what year is your MINI?

 

2003 with 72,000 miles...hard miles From what I've found out it's a very random problem with early Mini's, with miles varying from 15,000 to over 100,000.

You could clearly see a slight oil leak bellow the SC. "Gummy dirt film" Recommend taking the skid plate off and taking a peak for those with early Mini's!

 

Got some aftermarket supercharger information that might help.

 

id suggest if you can to deal with it till august-ish when jan (owner of revolution mini works, a vendor here) finally has the tvs-900 ready for the mini. It is much more efficient than the M45 (i think thats what we have) supercharger that's on our mini's. Both chargers are made by Eaton. He currently has a mini running with the eaton tvs 1380 ( i think thats the number), but thats on his 2.0l stroker engine, and the tvs 900 is projected to be out in august (thats when eaton said the rotors would be developed for the 900.)
but if you really want to replace your supercharger with a oem piece id also contact jan, he might have an extra on hand that he took off of one of the engines he stroked and put a tvs 1380 on.
just a suggestion.

 

Jan's website is apparently suspended. Any info? I dunno if it's going to last until August, although I would much rather have the TVS over the stock charger. However, if I must, I'll slap in a used one and wait for the upgrade.

 

The TVS 900 "might" be available from Eaton around that time.

To think RMW will have a kit ready to go the day it's released without ever having one to fit and test and develop sounds a little .

Once it is released from Eaton Jan will have a jump on things thanks to his development with the 900 but there will be things to work on and then testing before it's ready.

Longboard

 

Nate, I can do the work for you if you don't want to.

I have done this job before. Just drop the car off at my house with the new parts, give me 2 days and i'll have it done for you. PM me if you might wanna do it, we can talk about a price.