So after about 80k miles after the last supercharger rebuild I'm hearing the death rattle at 6k+ rpm. I'm pretty sure it's the supercharger because the timing chain was recently done, the belt tensioner has about 20k miles on it, and I just replaced the idler pulley and serpentine belt. Thing is, I've been noticing this for atleast the past 5-6k miles. It seems to be getting worse, but slowly. (I've noticed a couple more rattles now when I shift gears at 6000+). There is no noise under 6 grand, even if I'm wide open. She does sound a little rough idling though when I have the hood popped open though.

Being in college and 20 years old, money is tight and I paid a shop to have the clutch replaced recently, as I was not attempting that in the university's parking garage lmao. If I'm able to, I'd like to hold off spending more on the car for a little bit. Ideally, by the end of summer I'd have saved up enough and I'd be willing to send the supercharger off for a rebuild.

How long does the supercharger have after the death rattle starts? Most of the miles on my car are highway miles, going maybe 90-95 at a max continuously through the open western states. I'd imagine this would be less stressful than city miles. I know it's impossible to know for sure but I'm just looking for a ballpark or what others have experienced.

 

I would check around at local junk yards, if they still have them I would ****** one or two, could hold you off for way cheaper in the long run. My local place had 6 r53 still in tack and 4 of them still had the super charger, I would’ve taken me 10 min to take them, which I would have if I had brought my tools lol. I wasn’t there for that though.

I wouldn’t be driving it above 4k the way it sounds, just to save more time on it.

 

Although it kinda sounds as if you may not be in a financial position to do so now - check out the NAM marketplace. There are currently a couple of fair options listed for sale for super chargers. I have read a few post here on NAM with regards to some successful experiences and not so successful experiences with rebuilt SC's. Salvage yards maybe an alternateive. However, it maybe a crap shoot to the untrained as to what the condition might be with a salvage yard find.
best of luck.

 

Isn't it likely the junkyard ones will be bad/ going bad as well though? Mine still seems mostly functional, it's still turning the water pump. I've had no overheating issues. Will definitely try to keep it under 4k though.

 

I'm going to go with Steigemeyer (I'm sure I butchered their name) if I get it rebuilt. I haven't heard any complaints about them yet. But yeah that's my worry about salvage yards, same with the NAM marketplace stuff. Isn't it hard to say how much life is left on them? If I can spend about a grand in the future and get 80k out of another rebuild though I'll be happy.

I'm just looking to milk out whatever's left of this one because you're right, I'm not really in a financial position to be spending a ton right now.

 

not most cases. Most of them are there because of accidents. For the most part they will be way to get to, the ones I ran across already had the front end removed for alternators and radiators.

 

Are you sure it's the supercharger? I read a lot of the times that it's the water pump. Some people have had luck replacing the water pump and the gears. Wouldn't hurt to it off and look at it, but its kind of a job, I took the radiator out to make it easier. Guessing you did the timing chain tensioner when you did the timing chain? Guides? The alternator can be noisy on these cars sometimes also..

 

First, do yourself a favor and look for Mini clubs in your area. It's possible you'll find an enthusiast to help you out diagnosing the problem, and maybe even help repairing it.

 

You can replace the front drive snout couplers with upgraded ones for cheap. But if its the rear pto gear that drives the waterpump, imo your best off just getting a replacement. And btw , I have 2x sc's upforsale too if your interested, feel free to shoot me an offer after you check em out in the marketplace.