Demolished my serpentine belt today. The pulleys on my Stock '02 S survived as did the tensioner I think. I now need a belt. Any one know the stock S belt size and can it be found locally through a parts house? Do I need to get a belt tensioner tool to install the belt? Will the Ultrik belt tensioner tool that Mini Mania sells fit a stock pulley assembly?

 

You can do it with out one, but by the 3rd hour or so, you'll try and find the tool. Outmotoring sells them, and it makes work on the car so much easier. Worth every penny i spent on it.

 

I took your advice and ordered a belt and took today. Thanks (JD)

 

One more beginner question. Is a stock belt the same as a "standard 15%" belt?"

 

go see a NAPA parts store. They can hook you up.

 

i just put a 15% pulley on and the napa belt i was given was 4060535

 

if you want a Gates belt that is for 15% the number is K060539.

 

Thanks all for the help. Got the belt & tool. Belt is on. The actual belt installation took 5 minutes with the use of a tensioner tool and a friend holding it. Removing and replacing the wheel, inner fender and small stuff to gain access, took about a hour. This is a doable maintenance for the average guy who likes to change his oil and plugs. Having the tool helps a lot. First and foremost is to remember to change the belt before it breaks, like it did on me.

 

would you be willing to lend the belt tensioner tool? i'll be doing a pulley install on my own and the tool would help. Of course i'll be paying the shipping costs.

 

You would be better off buying one from a site sponsor like OutMotoring.com. Then you will have one the next time you need one. Either save the old belt or order a extra new one for a spare.

 

I see a Cooper S tool listed but nothing for a standard Cooper.

Do both use the same tool? Wouldn't think so

 

Good question! As I read my '02-'04 Mini Cooper Bentley Service manual. I see that special tool 11 8 390 is used to release the belt tension on the (Cooper) and special tool 11 8 410 is used for the (Cooper S). These are factory tool numbers. Though the engine layout is similar, the belt systems are different. You had better ask the vendor before you buy.

 

Nope.

 

In the Cooper non S there is a hole in the chassis with rubber plugs that you can stick a 3/4' extention though and turn back the tensioner. You may need to loosen the motor mounts to get it to line up.

 

I have searched Google and looked on many MINI sites........don't see a tool for the standard Cooper.

Anyone know where they are sold ?

 

You will need to check with Rasmussen for the Cooper tool. I don't know anyone that has an aftermarket one available.

 

Also, if you check in the boot in the little tool kit, there should be a short, heavy wire object with a looped end. It's supposed to be for removing the cover plates in the bumpers where the tow hook goes. It fits nicely into the tensioner hole to hold the tensioner in place while you change the belt.
-skip-

 

I shudder to think what a dealer would charge for a MINI tool

 

Interesting

I will take a look, first time anyone has mentioned this

 

That is the tool for popping off the hubcap.

 

-s-

 

More info please......got a pic of this location ?
What needs to be removed to get to the plug