I thought I was searching for an exhaust shield rattle,... I have a vibration sound when the engine rpm goes from about 950 to 1050 RPM, then it goes away.

I found it, not an exhaust leak, my tensioner stop vibrates and rattles.

I also noticed I have a little less than half a hole showing on the tensioner. I replaced the belt myself about a few months ago. The MINI dealer had told me that they believed the belt I had was original and with roughly 75 or 78k miles on it, it should be replaced soon. I do remember I could see clearly one hole and then some before I changed the old belt.

The belt I put on has printed on it Contitech PK6 1388. After installing the belt I had 1 full hole showing... Just barely, but felt reassured as everything I have seen says this is the oem belt.

I don't have a reduced s/c pulley (it looks like an oem press fit), and my crank pulley appears Origional too.

What am I missing here?
Why did the belt stretch so quickly?
I want to replace the belt on Monday. Should I get a shorter belt?
Maybe Origional owner put a JCW s/c on it? (not likely,.. But what do you think?)
Why did new belt when I installed it only have barely one full hole showing, and the old one showed clearly at least a few MM past one hole?

I guess I'll find out more when I remove the fender liner. Any ideas what to look for? I plan to check Crank Damper, make sure altranator, AC pump are secured to their brackets in the right place. What I call the Ideler Pulley, I see the part officially named Adjustment Pulley..... It doesn't actually adjust does it? Only one location it bolts to right? I don't think it slides in an I-Slot, it has a fixed location, right?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

Happy Birthday to me!

Any ideas about my stretched belt?

My new book doesn't mention how many holes should be seen on the tensioner when the correct size belt is fitted. -What's the consensus on the holes?

 

So my 2005 MCS is all stock, and the Contitech 1388 belt after only about 5000 or 7000 miles left my only half a hole visible on the tensioner stop.

I put on a Napa belt (gates I guess). Can't remember the number 59sometjing I think. It's the one for a JCW. Had to turn the crank pulley by hand to walk the belt onto the idler pulley.

When I removed the pin to engage the tensioner I now have well over 1 hole, and the second hole is not visible (but almost). Is this okay, or am I stressing things too much?

I also have a dramatic increase in torque, especially down low. The sc pulley must have been slipping before, but I didn't notice.

Here's a before shot, didn't take an after shot.

You guys think I'm okay with my current belt that barely fits?