Hello, new to this fourm, and i am trying to isolate an issue that just started.
I have an 06 mini s, 66,000. Yesterday I was driving andthe engine began to loose power and sputter. I pulled over and shut off engine. I could smell a belt, checked belt ok, engine started, service engine light on, made it home. This morning no lights, drove 2 miles did it again, no smell. Turned off all electronics, started and ran fine. Had battery and charging system checked, ok. Drove some more, turned on a.c. and it happened again, turn off a.c. drove fine.
I'm thinking a.c. compressor or clutch????

 

Check the vibration damper on the crank. Bet it has started to separate.

You can do a search on this and find many photos of the damper separated. Replace it with and ATI.

 

To check the crank pulley/harmonic damper, you need to remover the passenger side wheel, take the tension of the belt and then see if you can push the pulley/damper in so that it hits the engine block. The pulley/damper has a rubber core that bonds the two halves together. The rubber dry rots due to time and weather.

 

I am sure the vibration dampener is gone. If you look at it and shake it back and forth, it will usually feel loose. It stinks like rubber burning.


All of the OEM will go bad!
replace with aftermarket, as there are several out there.



I used this one on two of my keeper cars.

 

If it is the harmonic balancer wouldn't the issue occur all the TIME? Been driving without a.c. on for 2 days hasn't happened again

 

When it completely fails, yes it will do it all the time. When it starts to go, it can be intermittent. It is also heat related. The hotter it gets, the worse it will show symptoms. As it cools, the parts contract and the problem is not as noticeable.

Do some forum searches on this subject and you will find all kinds of stories.