Hey guys so a couple weeks ago I smelled the rubber burning smell from up front after parking my car. I looked it up and everything points to the crank pulley / harmonic balancer being the main problem. Well today I pulled the passenger wheel and lining and took a look and everything seems to be ok (minus a bit of an oil leak.)

What else could it be?

I took some videos:

and

 

You can't always see the damage - the cracks could be on the back side. As for burning smell - could be your brakes or clutch if you gave it a hard run. When was the last time you changed the belt?

Off hand in the video it does look like our crank seal is leaking.

 

I don't think its the brakes or clutch, I'm familiar with that smell. This smells more rubbery.

I've never changed the belt since I bought it at 117k miles and it's at 126k now.

So I should change the belt and pulley then?

 

Crank pulleys on R53s are not a part that is it going to fail, but a when is it going to fail. So going ahead and changing to an ATI Damper now is not going to hurt one bit. Actually your MINI will run smoother and won't fail like the stock is gonna. In your video you can actually see a very slight wobble. Is that a sign it's right about to go? hard to say.

 

I can't tell you if you should or not right this second...but generally the belt should be changed every 20-30k miles...or when they start to wear. If changing out the pulley - then just change the belt at the same time no additional "labor" yours if DIY or mechanics if you take it in. As way said below me - R53 pulleys fail - specifically the old one which it looks like you have. From the looks of the pulley I am guessing you have a 2002-2004???

 

Do you have to use a different sized belt if you get the 2% smaller one?

 

Probably not but they don't cost any more or less than the stock one - so just get the right belt for your application.

Btw - I do not recommend a non- dampened pulley. It's tempting because they are cheap...but most people on here agree that a dampened pulley is the right path. I'm not going to open up or entertain the firestorm from the people who have run a non dampened pulley and claim there are no ill effects.....I'm just saying I wouldn't.

 

Yea it's the 2004. I guess I'll just get the 2% one with a belt and while I'm under there replace the oil pan gasket, outer main seal and crank position sesnor O ring.

By the way is there anywhere that lets you rent the belt tool? I don't feel like that's something I need to own hahaha.

 

I was going to get the ATI one but just go with the 2% option. Doesn't seem like it looses the damper when you do that. Or am I misreading something?

No way I would get rid of the damper on a 4 cylinder haha.

 

Don't think so - they aren't that expensive (eBay etc) and I would actually recommend everyone with an R53 own the belt tool. I am constantly taking my belt on and off. So many of the common repairs require removing it:

AC compressor or clutch coil
Consistent belt changes
Dampener

Etc...

Where are you located - maybe someone would let you borrow one?

 

Yup ATI 2% is dampened - you are good with that one.

 

It's actually 2% larger to spin the supercharger faster. Yes you can use the stock belt with it. It is the same damper as the standard ATI size, but the outer ring slightly larger to spin everything else faster.

I feel most R53 owners that do their own work should own the belt tool. So many jobs require removing the belt it's a must have.

 

Way is spot on. If you are going to work on the car yourself get the right tool for the job. The belt tool is far better than trying to rig something that will work.

My crank pulley was going and visually it looked fine. When it was pulled from the car it fell apart. The ATI is a dynamite part.

 

The belt tool was one of the first tools I bought for my Mini. It makes changing the belt super easy. Used it so far to remove my s/c for an oil change and I'll need it for sure when I replace the damper to an ATI unit later. Long as I own my Mini, I'll have the belt tool.