So my r53 had a ticking noise on my way to work. Wouldn't of drive it but had no option. After work started it and it made a weird griding belt squeal (like gears in a blender). On my way home it felt pretty gutless and could feel power come in it out and can continue to hear the ticking sound. If anyone knows what this is that would be great. Let me know.

 

put hand on sc horn, you will feel it if the problem is there also check crank damper they do the same thing

 

I had a machanic come look at it and he is pretty sure its the bearing in the alternator. I guess which would kind of make since with belt squealing sound. So hopefully it will take care of the problem

 

Was the mechanic who came and looked at it someone with Gen1 supercharged Mini experience?

 

No his first time with one but i live in a very small town. I think im the only mini owner in the county.

 

Reason that I ask is because statistically speaking, a bad supercharger is probably more likely than an alternator, at least in my opinion, and if the mechanic is not accustomed to listening to a supercharger death rattle he might assume it is an alternator.

 

Right. When he said that i was like damn I probably should of noticed the alternator. But thats what he thinks it is so i told him once he has the belt off to turn the sc pulley n if it doesn't make any weird sounds and spins okay then ill just replace the alternator and hope it fixes it.

 

Update?

 

Waiting for the alternator the show up. It was like $100 cheaper to order one. Gunna do 15% reduction pulley also

 

So the guy that was going to work on the mini didn't have the clam shell pulley tool or the tensioner tool n asked if i would order the stuff so i did and when it arrives im just going to do the work myself. Got the alternator and reduction pulley. Just waiting on tools now.

 

cool its one of the easier jobs, except for lifting the engine so the pulley clears the frame it was pretty easy

I bet the real problem is the damper

 

Yeah i watched some YouTube videos n it doesn't seem to bad. And i was gunna replace the the tensioner but hopefully its still good. I guess I'll find out when i get it all apart.

 

I use a damper safety strap, all 3 of my r53 engines have damper shocks that are blown I dunno how long those stupid shocks actually dampen but it can't be very long

 

well the tools came into today but i dont think ill be able to get to it until maybe monday. I did start it today and felt the sc horn and it had some vibration in it but the sound is coming from below by the alternator so hopefully it is just the alternator. My question is will the horn vibrate from that or does it always have a bit of a vibrate?

 

Got the alternator off and it turned real nasty. The sc turns fine so im guessing it was the alternator. I got the new plugs in n then the power went out so ill get the new sc pulley on tomorrow on hope it rips!

 

Got the alternator on and it was indeed the problem! Figured sice i had it apart id do all the other stuff. So i put the 15% reduction pulley on the supercharger and new tensioner along with a boost gauge. Glad to have my mini back!

 

What boost gauge did you get?

 

Side note, where in Michigan u from?

 

Glowshift. It was pretty cheap but works great. It changes like 7 different colors am has a color changing setting that cycles through all of them. Seems to work pretty good for not being to exspensive. Building 15lbs roght now.

 

Gladwin. You?

 

From durand, about 79 miles from Gladwin.

 

right on that's pretty sweet!