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Author Topic: Rattle under the hood  (Read 123 times)
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Our03Mini
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« on: July 17, 2008, 11:13:35 PM »
Hey guys/gals,

New to the Mini Cooper scene, so I wanted to see what you all thought. I'm used to working on mustangs. I just bought our 03 Cooper S about a month ago and noticed a slight rattling sound when I would first take off from a stop. Now this only happened if it was a slow start (low rpm). Did some research on forums and it sounds like it could be the belt tensioner. Does this sound right? I listened under the hood and did narrow it down to that area. The car as about 38k on it.

If this is the case, are belt tensioners hard to replace. I would consider my self a pretty good mechanic but like I said before the Mini is totally new to me.

Thanks in advance!
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Will Austin
2003 Mini Cooper S
maacodale
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« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2008, 11:36:00 PM »
If it sounds kinda "tinny" check the heat shields around the exhaust. I have seen those vibrate a bit on initial take off. Good luck!
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Dale Blankenship
Poquoson, VA
07 Mellow YellowCooper S
Of course son thinks it's his!
Our03Mini
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« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2008, 09:36:06 AM »
Great Idea....I will check them out this morning. That would cool if that was all it was.
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Will Austin
2003 Mini Cooper S
Our03Mini
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« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2008, 10:11:58 AM »
I took a look this morning and narrowed it back down to the tensioner. It looks like the metal tab/slide that comes out at the top is rattling. If I put a little pressure on it with a screw driver it goes away. See attached picture. I wonder how I can stop the rattling without effecting what ever that little tab/slide does?  017
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Will Austin
2003 Mini Cooper S
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« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2008, 01:54:27 PM »
that tab is there to hold the tensioner back while changing the belt.  If you compress the tensioner  with the special belt tensioner tool, that tab has holes in it so you can stick a nail or some small piece of metal in it to keep the spring compressed.  Nothing you can really do about it....i don't think.  maybe stick a little rubber band around it to absorb the noise.    102
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