I got a 2004 Mini Cooper s for really cheap. But the guy said I can't drive it cause the supercharger is making a noise and if I drive it and it ends up blowing it will blow the engine. Anybody know how much this might be to fix? Or if I can just go without the supercharger? Or any advice at all haha

 

Just kidding it's a 2003.

 

I bet its the water pump attached to the supercharger. a rebuild is like 600-800 while a new/used unit is about 1200. it may take a while or very soon till it affects the car. if you have the chrono pack, you can monitor water temp, or if you had scangage/ultragage/Bluetooth OBD II. and as long as temps are good, the car will run

 

What kind of noise ? Superchargers make a lot of noise.

 

The gears on the back of the supercharger are out. These gears drive your water pump. If the gears give out completely and the water pump stops spinning the car will overheat and you could warp the head. If you are good with a wrench you can swap it yourself. A rebuild is about $1000. If you are lucky you can find a good takeoff for $500.

 

If it was me...I would call a shop, get an estimate for installing a new supercharger, and take the estimate to the guy selling the mini. If he won't come down at least $1500...I would walk. Unless you really like fixing people junk....then I would still make sure the guy takes off at least $1000 for a new supercharger...and then you can do the work yourself.

But...when it comes to motor noises, it could be anything. Internal engine issues? Bearings? Who knows.......make sure you get a hell of a deal on it if you do end up getting it.

 

MiniManTim has a new S/C for sale in the marketplace. $1200.

 

The OP already bought the car.

 

Ah..ok, I missed that. I thought he said he was looking at it.

 

The PTO housing is the most notorious failure of the supercharger, it will progressively get worse and either lock up or break, either option leaving you stranded.

It is a rather easy job to tackle yourself if you have tools, a sheltered area to work, and the time to do it.

We sell rebuilt chargers for far less than most retailers as we have an in house rebuilder. Our chargers are $849 plus a $500 core charge which you will be refunded once your core is received and is deemed rebuildable.

Detroit Tuned Supercharger

 

Most redundant title ever

 

Lol

And no op, you can't just take the sc off. Like the others said, it drives the water pump