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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
While driving at low speed, the battery light on my 05 MCS suddenly turned on and the car went into "limp mode." I pulled over and popped the hood, to find a burning rubber smell and a little piece of rubber dangling beneath the drive belt. I was able to drive home slowly and remove the belt, which was horribly damaged on only one side:
I replaced the belt and started the car. It seemed to run ok but the Service Engine Soon light remained illuminated, and I pulled code P1688.
Upon inspection of the harmonic balancer, I found this:
It’s “normal” in a bad way as the crank pulley’s tend to fail. The rubber breaks down and begins to slip causing the burning smell. The play in the pulley is probably what caused the belt wear. When the pulleys fail catastrophically, the two halves break apart and sometimes grind into the timing cover on the block, or lead to overheating the motor because the water pump is no longer turning.
Replacing it with an ATI pulley or PRW fluidgel pulley and avoiding another stock one is the usual recommendation.
...however, of more concern, it appears the inner side of the balancer was rubbing on the engine block: Has anyone seen this before? Not sure if this is just the result of a bad balancer or if it indicates a deeper problem with the drive-shaft.
That damage is consistent with the failure of the harmonic balancer if left to degrade for too long. The rubber separates, the pulley portion wobbles and makes contact with the timing cover. Unless it has worn a hole through the cover, I wouldn't worry about it.
FYI: Before you bolt on a new crank pulley, make sure to replace the crankshaft seal, MINI p/n 11111485171, or Mopar/Chrysler p/n 4667198
Last edited by AoxoMoxoA; Jul 13, 2018 at 06:27 AM.
That damage is consistent with the failure of the harmonic balancer if left to degrade for too long. The rubber separates, the pulley portion wobbles and makes contact with the timing cover. Unless it has worn a hole through the cover, I wouldn't worry about it.
FYI: Before you bolt on a new crank pulley, make sure to replace the crankshaft seal, MINI p/n 11111485171, or Mopar/Chrysler p/n 4667198
4667198...has anyone verified that this part number works?
