I have an '05 S with nearly 90,000 miles that has developed a clicking/rattling noise from the engine. I can't really tell where its coming from but its there in neutral, with the clutch in, and under acceleration. It speeds up a little then I push the throttle. Since its getting worse I'm going to schedule an appointment, but does anyone have an idea what it could be?

 

Maybe the timing chain tensioner? It is hard to diag. Could you post a video of the sound? I have never heard the supercharger gears failing, so I don't know what that sounds like, but I am sure that can be a possibility given the mileage you are at.

 

If it is coming from the passenger side then it is the timing chain tensioner, if it the driver side it is probably the SC/WP gears. Open the hood and have somebody rev the engine a little while you are listening outside, that should help you narrow it down.

Given that you hear it while you are accelerating even, my vote goes to the SC.

 

I'm not quite sure what side the sound is coming from, but I think its the passenger's. Dunno if this will help figure out the problem but there is a squeal in the sound now... Guess Ill know when I take it in Tue.

 

It might be a bad supercharger belt drive tensioner too. Those go bad like they're going out of style! Expect to replace the belt tensioner every 30k miles or less.

 

Its definetly your belt. My 05 mcs which I bought from a guy there became a clicking like you described. I took it to the dealer and they told me the belt had more than 130,000 miles on it becuase he took the belt and pully off his 02 mcs and put on my car. So they put a brand new belt on and its good as new!

 

I bet its a bad supercharger belt drive tensioner. The gas shock on thoes go out all the time and make a ticking noise near your serpintine belt. You will need to replace it asap. They do not sell the gas shock by itself you have to buy the entire supercharger belt drive tensioner unit.

 

So this just happened... Drove less than a mile to a gas station and when I start the car the noise is gone. For about 10 seconds. Then it slowly come back but at a much reduced volume. Any thoughts?

 

I would just have a mechanic look at it. There is so much in the engine/engine area that can click and tick... I have seen low oil do it, bad tensioner can do it, bad super-charger can do it... two out of those three can cost $$$.

dan

 

I have 2003 MINI "S" aswell I have that ticking/clicking aswell! I took it to the dealership here in Hawaii and they reported that it is the supercharger! In which they $3600. Well the car hasless than 60 k on it and the maintence has a great history report from dealership! the question that I am asking Is: Where can I purchase the supercharger and gasket(set). Is it true that you should change the water pump as well when you replace the supercharger? And where can I get a water pump? I talked with a guy from a MINI garage mainland and he said they can repair them? (true/false) Last but least am I hurt the engine driving it around? PLEASE HELP ME SOMEBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The water pump will be ok unless, the rear seal is chewed or coolant is seeping from the weep hole on the side. If you can tolerate the down time there is a vendor here who rebuilds the supercharger including the water pump gear drive. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ive-gears.html. If you drive the vehicle and the water pump is not circulating the coolant it will overheat, if it overheats severe enough damage can occur.

But, first you should look at the health of the crankshaft vibration damper. The early model damper is prone to failure and the warning signs are clicking, then separation. Put the front of the vehicle on stands, take tension off the belt, remove the lower splash shield, grasp the crankshaft pulley with thumb & forefinger and wiggle, if it moves and clicks it’s bad. If no wiggle, put the heal of the hand against the bottom and push, if it moves it’s on the way out.