I have this whine and I can't tell if it's from the SC or not. I don't recall picking it up with this whine and I just started noticing it. I just changed the idler, tensioner, and belt and the noise didn't change. Am I just being OCD or does the whine in the video sound like the blower or some other bearing is going bad?

It is a whine that sounds like it is coming from the right side of the motor. It changes with RPMs, but is most noticeable between 1 -3k. The supercharger whine still sounds strong. I am not sure about any power loss. I haven't had the car long enough to know (still don't have registration) if it is low on power and don't have a boost gauge.

I plan on changing the SC fluid this weekend, but if this noise is a clue that it's going bad, I would rather put a replacement on. Any insight would be helpful!

Videos now uploaded! Give them a list and let me know what you think.

 

Any overheating problems? Could also be your water pump.

 

No overheating problems currently. I am going to replace the waterpump when I do the supercharger service, so I will be addressing that as a potential issue.

 

Belt slip ????

 

I was thinking that as well, but I just replaced the tensioner, belt, and idler pulley without a change in the noise.

 

Bump

 

Bump

 

To me, on my cheap Windows Media Player and laptop speakers it does sound like the whine of the blower but wouldn't rule out alternator or maybe water pump. If you are concerned and want to be sure, maybe start probing around with a stethoscope while a buddy gooses the throttle (be careful not to stick the probe in something rotating).

 

I appreciate the feedback. When you said the whine of the blower, do you mean that as the "normal" whine it has at idle or that it is the blower going bad? I've attached another video of it from early tonight. I used a stone to bring the RPMs up a bit, so this was not at idle, at an attempt to make the noise more noticeable. I used a long screwdriver as a stethoscope and poked around a bit. You can definitely tell there are moving parts in the blower, but its not like I could hear the exact noise.

The car has 193k on it, but I have no idea what the blower has on it. I plan to do the supercharger fluid service, but I'm second guessing whether I should even both or just pick up a new unit. I already plan to bolt up a new water pump, gaskets, and the fluid change.

 

It probably is the original unit, with 193K on it, same as the motor. And agree - would go ahead and do the supercharger service (use the Mod MINI YT vid as a good go-by), and the water pump swap "while you're in there" (thermostat too). See what comes out when you drain the blower, can also bore scope it and see how it looks inside. Would think as long as chunks, flakes, metallic particles, bolts, old Matchbox cars etc aren't rattling around inside or come out with the old oil, you're probably okay.

 

Alright! So I think the waterpump was the culprit. Please listen to the first video. It sounded like a creeky old gear. I confirmed this when I unbolted the waterpump from the supercharger.

HOWEVER! Take a listen to the second video clip and let me know what you think of the sound. I've never heard one before, so I don't how quiet it is supposed to sound. I hear a little something, but it sounds pretty normal to me.

Would love someone to compare it to what they heard when they changed theirs.

Thank you!!

 

hi did you ger rid of this whine? I have the exact same issue. How did you fix it?

thank you

 

Your issue my be completely different but I get an additional whining (or maybe better described as a low growl) sound when I have AC on and the car is warm. The sounds increases in pitch(?, not sound level) when increasing speed. The sound stops when i shut the AC off, so I know its the compressor. I haven't really looked into it any further as I don't use the AC often and it still works. It's a second car and only gets driven in the summer with the top down (R52), and it's been like this for a few years.

 

Open both sides of the SC. Clean and inspect. The refill with proper fluid. Do NOT overfill. While it's out, swap the water pump. Also since the belt is off spin the all the pulleys. You may have a worn bearing on something.With 193k it's possible some or all of them need changed- This includes the tensioner (use a correct OEM one- yes it's much more expensive but the cheap aftermarket ones fail quickly- Ask me how I know ). Also pull the Alt off and inspect. I've seen 2 of them have cracked housings before. Since you're in there might as well look at the crank pulley too. I replaced the ones on my R53's because they fail. One failed and it I could not tell until I pulled it.

I think this will help resolve the noise issues you are having.

 

+1 = Do not over fill SC.
Too much fluid may cause leaks as pressure builds.
Snout = 145 ml
Water pump end/"PTO" = 40 ml

*If I recall correctly
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

It actually sounds pretty good, so too bad it's not something 'good.'

Almost sounds like an air leak, but you'd have a CEL if that was the case.

At the very beginning of video 1, seems like I hear a bit of a flutter that could be something like a water pump. But once RPMs go up, I do not hear it.

Have you tried one of those stethoscope things to try and pin point it? They actually work pretty well...https://www.harborfreight.com/mechan...ope-63691.html

edit: duh - did not see it was from 2020