Hi! I have a 2004 Mini Cooper and I noticed a slight whistling noise when I started my car. It stopped after two days. I have 83,340 miles on my car and I believe it might be the serpentine belt? I've done some research and it seems like the belt does not last that long? Any advice would be great! Thanks!

 

Do you have an S, or a non-S Cooper?

If you have an S, get that belt replaced soon. 80+k is a LOT for that belt. Replacing the belt is actually pretty straightforward if you have a belt tensioner tool, or if your local Mini CLub has one and does Garage Days. Remove the passenger side wheel well liner (it's about 9 of those plastic pain in the neck fasteners - unscrew the philips head plastic rivet, remove), then use the tensioner tool to de-tension the belt (having a second set of hands DEFINITELY helps!), remove the belt and reinstall the same way the old one was routed. Take a digital pic if you need guidance, but it's pretty straightforward.

WHILE YOU'RE IN THERE, get a Detroit Tuned "tensioner travel limiter". They're about $25. It's a cable that goes on the belt tensioner and keeps it from damaging anything if your belt breaks. Otherwise, if that belt breaks you're in for $400-800 worth of pulleys and a bunch of labor as things go crashing around in there.

If you have a non-S, I can't help you, sorry!...

 

Thank you for your help! I unforunately have a non-s...

 

Here's a thread for the non-S R50 serpentine belts:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

There's nothing unfortunate about having a non-s MINI Cooper.

 

[QUOTE There's nothing unfortunate about having a non-s MINI Cooper.][/quote]

AGREED! Two of the best Mini drivers I know drive non-S's, and I dare most S drivers to lose them on the Dragon or in an autocross...
(OK, I don't dare anyone, I can't encourage hooliganism... but they ARE fast, and non-S's are FUN.

 

The belt should be replaced every 60k, so your over due if it hasn't been done. We keep em in stock if you need one.

 

One idea....just to rule it out...
Next time you hear the whistling/whiring sound, turn off the cabin fan(A/C+Heating fan). I have heard one (mine before I lubed it) that made a rather interesting noise...
If you turn of the fan, and the sound disappears....you know it is the fan.
As WMW said, the belt should be replaced every 60k, and may be overdue for replacement, so it should be done too if you don't know if it has been done.

 

Better yet.....take a permanent marker and draw the way the belt is routed before you remove it. Draw it on the wheel well after you take out the liner and it will always be there when you need it.

 

Thank you for all your help and suggestions! Drawing on the wheel well is very clever! I did not mean that it was unforunate that my mini is a non-s, just that the information DixonL2 provided was void. I'm very happy with my mini and it has proven to be a wonderful car so far.

 

My 2002 Cooper (65 K miles) was making a similar noise and I recently had the belt replaced.. All good now.