Rattling air cleaner box
#1
01-16-2013, 02:42 PM
Rattling air cleaner box
Did a search first without answers. There's a rattle sound coming from the engine bay which is the air cleaner box because when I hold it or push down on it the sound goes away.
I notice there's a bolt with some rubber holding it down on the left side as you face it. I tried tightening it but it just spins at one point. Does or has anyone had this issue? Is there an easy way to remove the whole air box to inspect? I know how to get the top off and the big air hose/sensor coming into it.
I notice there's a bolt with some rubber holding it down on the left side as you face it. I tried tightening it but it just spins at one point. Does or has anyone had this issue? Is there an easy way to remove the whole air box to inspect? I know how to get the top off and the big air hose/sensor coming into it.
#4
01-16-2013, 03:25 PM
Removal of factory air box: Note: Take great care with your MAF Sensor
1 Open hood and disconnect the batteries – terminal. (Battery is located in passenger side window cowl cover)
2 Locate MAF sensor housing, and remove hose clamp securing MAF housing to turbo inlet hose.
Remove Electrical connection on MAF sensor.
3 Remove Air box top from OEM air box bottom. Remove top by loosening 4 torx screws on front side of box.
Once loosened, lift front forward and take off the clips at back of box.
4 Unbolt MAF housing from air box top. Take extreme care in not dropping MAF housing, as this is an easily damaged item
5 Locate fresh air pipe where it enters air box bottom.
This connection releases by twisting roughly 60 degrees, then pulling straight off.
There is a large o-ring located behind this flange and can make the tube very hard to remove from air box.
Spraying down with some penetrating lube will help removal of pipe.
6 Remove torx screw located on passenger side of Air box bottom and remove air box from car.
Three other rubber snaps hold box bottom to intake manifold.
2 Locate MAF sensor housing, and remove hose clamp securing MAF housing to turbo inlet hose.
Remove Electrical connection on MAF sensor.
3 Remove Air box top from OEM air box bottom. Remove top by loosening 4 torx screws on front side of box.
Once loosened, lift front forward and take off the clips at back of box.
4 Unbolt MAF housing from air box top. Take extreme care in not dropping MAF housing, as this is an easily damaged item
5 Locate fresh air pipe where it enters air box bottom.
This connection releases by twisting roughly 60 degrees, then pulling straight off.
There is a large o-ring located behind this flange and can make the tube very hard to remove from air box.
Spraying down with some penetrating lube will help removal of pipe.
6 Remove torx screw located on passenger side of Air box bottom and remove air box from car.
Three other rubber snaps hold box bottom to intake manifold.
#5
01-16-2013, 03:37 PM
#7
01-16-2013, 03:49 PM
Trending Topics
#9
01-20-2013, 10:01 AM
Got it apart. Aside from the cold air hose there are several plastic tangs that fit into rubber grommets. After inspecting it the fault could have been one of two issues. Since I fixed both and the noise is gone I'm not sure which one it was or a combination.
First the photo shows what I guess is the heater connection. It was loose and not snapped in. Not sure if this happened when I took the box out but the heater had a bad smell prior to that and if that's what it is it would've been getting air from the engine externally. I did my best to snap it back in although its not a strong 'snap' into place.
The other is the screw holding the left side of the box to the plastic bottom. Since the screw just turned like it stripped I put a rubber spaced in there and tightened it as secure as possible.
Hopefully the noise won't come back.
Thanks for the help.
PS: Don't know why the photo is up side down.
First the photo shows what I guess is the heater connection. It was loose and not snapped in. Not sure if this happened when I took the box out but the heater had a bad smell prior to that and if that's what it is it would've been getting air from the engine externally. I did my best to snap it back in although its not a strong 'snap' into place.
The other is the screw holding the left side of the box to the plastic bottom. Since the screw just turned like it stripped I put a rubber spaced in there and tightened it as secure as possible.
Hopefully the noise won't come back.
Thanks for the help.PS: Don't know why the photo is up side down.
#10
01-20-2013, 10:31 AM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Omaha, Ne
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's the noisemaker, it takes boost air and runs it through a resonator and then into the firewall. It is supposed to provide a sound to enhance the driving experience of the r56 mini. Mine also popped off on my 2007s when I had it. A couple of the tabs had broke. I found a replacement at mini of south atlanta ( they have an online parts dept). It's a piece of cake to replace. You also may want to check all the connections to the boost tubes from the hard plastic line that comes off the inter cooler. I had some oil leaking from mine from blow by comming from the turbo
#11
01-20-2013, 10:50 AM
Thanks for the confirmation. I tried to inspect the tabs because it didn't have a positive snap. If it happens again I'll replace it.
The smell in the heater has an oil smell. Is the boost tube the one on the top of the air cleaner box? Be great to fix all of it finally. Its cool here so we need the heater.
The smell in the heater has an oil smell. Is the boost tube the one on the top of the air cleaner box? Be great to fix all of it finally. Its cool here so we need the heater.
#12
01-20-2013, 12:08 PM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Omaha, Ne
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No the boost tube comes up behind the right side headlight and runs along the passenger side. You will see a black plastic tube meet with a 2 in rubber hose. The it runs down behind the air cleaner and there is a T hose that splits the tap goes to the sound maker, the rest runs down to the intake manifold. You will have to take off the air cleaner again. Inspect all the connections and look for moisture. Mine would seep some oil through T hose. Oil is comming from blow by off the turbo. It had some carbon issues. That is why I got rid of it. The one I have now is much better.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Interior/Exterior DEPO/Helix Projector Headlights Installed
Alkaidovich
Interior/Exterior
68
01-30-2021 01:35 AM
igzekyativ
MINIs & Minis for Sale
34
07-16-2020 12:54 PM
alistaircookie
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
6
10-08-2015 10:52 AM