i have 03 R53 with 89k miles. i mounted powerflex lower engine mount bushing and transmission mount bushing. I also replaced upper engine mount (aftermarket)+ another engine mount (aftermarket) on passenger side about 6 months ago. as you can see the picture, it shows little lines on engine mount but mechanic told me that it doesn't look bad and cracked.
there is a lot of vibration when a/c on. i don't feel anything while driving but only at idle. I've also checked the engine bay at idle and intercooler and even K&N intake shake really bad but once ac off, it shakes a bit.
FYI, I had exactly same situation before mounting poly bushings so i don't think it matters with them.

Any advice?

 

AC clutch bearing going?

 

a/c works fine and blows cold. does a/c clutch bearing relate to vibration?

 

The title of the thread implies that when the AC is on you have vibrations so when off no vibrations, correct?

 

It still has a bit of vibration when ac off but it’s much less than when it’s on.

 

Either the AC clutch bearing or the Crank Pulley

 

hmm.. I replaced OEM Crank Pulley Harmonic Balancer on August,2017...

 

Then that points toward the AC????

 

Where are you noticing the vibration? If you are feeling it in the cabin I would agree with Whine that the AC clutch would be the primary diagnostic point. If you are feeling it more in the steering wheel it could be the SC tensioner/belt and slipping and thus the additional load is increasing the slip.

Just my 2 cents.

 

i don't feel it in the cabin. steering wheel and i guess whole car vibrate.

 

I've replaced tensioner and belt but no changes at all.. even though ac clutch worn out, ac blows cold?

 

When you add Polly bushing you get vibrations. Take them out and it will be back to stock feeling normal.

This is the price you pay for adding stiffer Polly bushings. Aftermarket bushings are not better than OEM bushing and mounts. OEM bushings do not last forever and must be replaced with OEM bushings and mounts if you want to keep that OEM cushy feeling without vibration.

 

Unless you have a vert, then the vibrations are just OEM.

 

+1


The a/c usually vibrates the 1st gen MINI some at idle.
It is more noticeable with stiffer engine and transmission mounts.
It won't hurt anything.

 

Did you ever figure it out? I am getting the same vibration but mine can be heard in the cabin and sounds like my exhaust, I have replace the back box river mounts also, but haven’t changed the mid pipe rubber yet cause they seem in good shape. I was getting this exhaust sounding noise before the poly mounts, so I am at a loose. Sorry for bringing up an old post but you issue if my issue and wondered if you found a fix.

 

unfortunately, nope.. i am going to take the poly off from lower engine mount.

 

I may have to do the same... the noise drives me crazy

 

You do have powerflex poly on lower engine mount?

 

Only poly I am using is Transmission mount, I do have the powerflex lower control arm bushings but sure that has nothing to do with the vibration

 

i have powerflex poly on LCA and transmission mount & lower engine mount.
i wonder which one it causes the problem...

 

When you pop the hood, do you see the engine shaking roughly?
mine does..

 

I wouldn’t call it rough, but yes you can see it shaking, my noise is definitely exhaust vibration, I just don’t remember if I had it before I put the poly mount on

 

Today, i took off poly and replaced with stock lower engine mount and I felt less vibration than before especially inside however, when i popped the hood engine still shakes bad and noticed that i could hear some noise from exhaust at idle and noticed that there are crazy shakes like video i've took. I think i've replaced pretty much everything for getting rid of vibration but i have no clue now..what else could it be? something wrong with engine or exhaust? any ideas?

 

Have you changer any of the rubber isolators? I am thinking my front mid pipe rubber mounts are my issue. They are the only ones I haven’t changed

 

Do you know where i can get it? I've got Borla exhaust. did you notice any shakes on your engine as well?