'04 MCS
Have a good deal of bearing noise from the water pump/supercharger area (i think).
The noise is definitely from that side of the engine and increases in pitch with the revving of the engine.
Any help with diagnostics or repair would be much appreciated.

I'm thinking this may be beyond my abilities to fully repair (though I have replaced the clutch on my own) so if anyone knows somewhere in the Monterey Bay area please let me know!

 

Where is the noise coming from, passenger or drivers side of the motor ?

 

passenger side - right there at the serpentine belt

 

Mmm, well good news is that the waterpump is on the opposite side.

I had a similar issue, sounded like metal clanking, but it turned out to be the belt. Even though it was just 6 months old it was glazed over.

I would also check the bushings for your belt tensioner, and the harmonic balancer ( crank pulley ). The ones we have were natorious for separating and when they do, it can make some racket. I replaced mine with the 05/06 updated version. It is about 3 lbs lighter too

btw: If you were able to replace your own MINI clutch, you can practically do any other repair as well. Nice work.

 

I thought the water pump was tied in through the supercharger bearing

My father's initial diagnosis is that the bearing was wearing out - not exactly sure what that means/entails.

It's not really a clank - just a mid range hum/whine. Almost sounds like the electric whir of the steering but quite a bit louder.

 

I made a youtube sound of mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUMCkeDSsqs

I would have sworn it was a bearing on the pully side of the SC. Just turned out to be a glazed belt.....

SC gears on the DR side powers the waterpump. Normally that is the side which fails.

 

I'll see if I can make a video of it in the morning.