03' R53

Bearings are going out in my supercharger. I guess that should be expected. 99,5xx miles and a 19% supercharger pulley since 75,xxx miles. Its starting to make a ton of noise. I checked all of my pulleys, etc. with a stethoscope, and the noise in much louder when it's placed on or around the S/C or S/C pulley.

I guess the only question I have really is, "What all is needed in parts to take off the supercharger and re-install (I plan to at least change out the bearings)" and the other question, "Rebuild the entire S/C ? or just replace the bearings." And last but not least at all! "Where could I find S/C parts, such as bearings and gaskets" is the dealer the only option?

 

Unless you're an ace mechanic I'd recommend you have experts do the rebuild for you. See http://www.autoxcooper.com/mini_coop...ld_service.php

info@AutoXCooper.com

 

I'm not an "ACE", don't usually "toot my own horn" but i've never had anything done on my cars, always did the job myself. Engine rebuilds, swaps, turbo swaps, transmissions, ignitions, etc.

I used to work in a garage full time and now help them out when they get busy, and my g/f's dad owns a garage, with just about any specialty tool, etc available.

thanks for the link, I'll check it out!

 

Yup, either a rebuild by Auto-X or a rebuilt unit from Way are prob. the most solid options you have.

And if you've wrenched, you should be able to do it yourself, looks much scarier than it really is.

 

Well...I know I can take it off. That won't be an issue, just wondering how many gaskets I might be running into that I don't realize. And wondering if there is a place i can get internal parts for the S/C.

 

BLWNAWAY, How do you like the Sprintex? Was it one of the better upgrades you've purchased? I'm driving my Mini daily, on the 19% pulley, it's quick, but it isn't as fast as everyone hyped it up to be. At least not to me.

 

you can rebuild that S/C yourself!! if you've rebuilt an engine? well… nough said..

 

There is a thread in the how to section for a supercharger oil change that has a list of gaskets you need. Since you are already going to be in there there are a few extra parts you should replace to save time in the future.

No idea on rebuilders but I would not try to rebuild the SC myself.

 

Look into Steigimier (think I have the spelling)...they do lots of sc for mini's and other cars....has performance options too....
Most any well respected mini vendor here has "vetted" their rebuilders.... Just be weary of the cheap e-bay rebuilds....some horror stories around of folks needing 2 or 3 to get a working rebuild....

 

Thank you to the people which offered reasonable help. As to the people who are trying to "put me down"....do you not have anything better to do? is that supposed to stop me from doing it?

I understand the people who just flat out said, "don't try it yourself". I respect that....but the people with the sarcasm...I mean...come on...

I'm gonna try it, if it works, awesome. If it doesn't, I'm out a little money and i'll buy a ported and polished one.

 

Before we started offering rebuilds for sale we did a ton of research and even talked with Eaton directly. I've sent superchargers to several different companies, including the one listed in this thread and I can tell you most places are NOT rebuilding them correctly. There are various problems let alone the time they promise they NEVER live up to. Some guys even just change the oil and call it rebuilt. So be careful if you send it out for a rebuild.
Trying to rebuild it yourself will never work as there is very specific timing procedure for the rotors. Replacing the front bearings could be done, but most places won't even sell you the other parts to do the rebuild if you did get it apart.

Now for what to replace while doing the job
Supercharger inlet gasket
Outlet gasket
Water pump
you may want to swap out the crank sensor seal while your in there.

Otherwise that's all you need.

 

https://jonbondperformance.com/index...roducts_id=613

http://autoxcooper.com/mini_cooper_s...ld_service.php

http://www.guy-croft.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2846

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...d.php?t=232818

The focusfanatics thread is "step by step" on the eaton, petty cool thread.. The guy in the Utube vid is straight up.. Kinda like the Mechanic i'm working with ") no messing..

 

Personally I like it, I've said it before, but I'll never go back to an M45, but that's not because of the Sprintex "only" it's because after experiencing what an induction change in the right direction can do for these motors, an M45 would be a step backwards.

But as far as Bang-For-Your-Buck, no, a BVH is by far still the best BFYB option for making power, except for possibly the bottle, which it's admittedly not for everyone.

IMO, if your thinking about it, of course now would be the time since you've got to rebuild or replace your S/C anyway, but it is twice the cost right off the bat & will require even more if you decide to try and use it as a performance piece. (Tuning & I/C upgrade, just to start)
But if you leave it alone, use it as is, it's a bolt on, will give you comparable boost to about 16-17% pulley, but will have your power band starting considerably lower in the rpm range, with an overall stronger feel and won't "need" a tune, and has more "end result"potential than an M45. (I was seeing 19.5 to 20.0 psi w/ the 60mm pulley)

A lot of your decision is really going to depend on what you think your end goal is, if you're looking to take just a few more "steps" up in power, replace your M45, drop to a17% pulley & save your money for a Head, Header & Cam, but if you're looking to eventually go "radical" then yes, now's the time to look into an induction change & save a couple of bucks overall.

Oh.... For you or anyone else needing to pull your S/C, go to the Sprintex website & download their installation instructions, even if you're not using their product, their removal instructions are IMO much easier to understand than what you'll find in the Bentley.

Any other questions, just PM me, I'll do my best to help.

 

One issue with doing a diy "rebuild"....( othen than destroying YOUR rebuildable CORE that is worth about $300-500...yes prices assume YOUR SC IS REBUILDBLE UNLESS YOU BUY A MINI UNIT NEW..IF IT IS STILL AVAILABLE..only a few were "on the shelf in Germany..most units sold by mini are rebuilt now).....
Parts on a sc wear...tolerances get wider...the "ears" on the rotors or lobes wear...air squeezes by...boost drops...
Unlike an engine... No rings to replace to make up for the looseness....
So bigger rebuilders have BIG BINS OF PARTS/cores.....
When a rotor comes in out of spec...aka, loose making the "egg beater sound" they not only replace the bearings and seals, but can sway out the rotors to a slightly bigger pair in the same case...some do coatings, etc to help it return to full, intended tightness and efficiency...
Just changing the oil...maybe tossing in new bearing and seals is NOT a rebuild...just a life extension at best...and that is what a diy "rebuild" is.
Folks are not saying you are not capable of doing the work..... But many professional shops CANNOT AND DO NOT REBUILD THE MINI'S UNIQUE M45....some issues and design features with the PTO make it unique....