Alternator removal 2004 3.0d

[christhekiwi]

Can anyone confirm how the Alternator is removed on the 3.0d, looks like radiator needs to come out?

[Clavurion]

Have you already bought a replacement? In 95% of the cases this alternator can be refurbished with just new brushes and the voltage regulator can be removed in situ without removing the alternator.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by christhekiwi

Can anyone confirm how the Alternator is removed on the 3.0d, looks like radiator needs to come out?

Hi Chris and welcome!

Let me introduce you to the BMW Technical Information System (TIS): -

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-parts/AQ6iStu

Doesn't mention removing the radiator...

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Let me introduce you to the BMW Technical Information System (TIS): -

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-parts/AQ6iStu

Doesn't mention removing the radiator...

This is not the only official instruction where every aspect has not been taken into account. Sure you can remove the alternator from it's bracket but there is not enough room to get it out. One possibility is to remove PS pump from it's bracket and lay aside to make more room on top.

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

This is not the only official instruction where every aspect has not been taken into account. Sure you can remove the alternator from it's bracket but there is not enough room to get it out. One possibility is to remove PS pump from it's bracket and lay aside to make more room on top.

Oh heck yeah - there's way more than three steps - but the fact that they don't mention removing the radiator is promising!

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Hi Chris and welcome!

Let me introduce you to the BMW Technical Information System (TIS): -

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-parts/AQ6iStu

Doesn't mention removing the radiator...

Well im glad you responded to this post before I did!

[christhekiwi]

Thanks guys, I got it out by disconnecting the coolant line from the tstat housing, with some rotating and lots of cursing it came out the top. The slip ring was worn but I got away with soldering in new brushes. If I did the job again I would definitely just remove the voltage regulator with the alternator institu.

Now onto replacing my door handle carrier for the third time 😁

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by christhekiwi

Thanks guys, I got it out by disconnecting the coolant line from the tstat housing, with some rotating and lots of cursing it came out the top. The slip ring was worn but I got away with soldering in new brushes. If I did the job again I would definitely just remove the voltage regulator with the alternator institu.

Now onto replacing my door handle carrier for the third time 😁

Thanks for the update! How many kms on the old girl?

Three door handle carriers - yikes! I had to do both fronts (at different times) in six years of ownership. Been using Autopa replacements from eBay Oz - good prices ($50 ea) and they seem pretty good, not the best fit but they can be made to work pretty well.

It matters how you open the door - thumb on lock section and pull pressure from fingers only - not from elbow or shoulder!

[christhekiwi]

Mine has done 355k now has had trans rebuild at some stage. Still an awesome family wagon tows the boat to coromandel and back fully loaded like a champ.

I’ve not had good luck with eBay carriers, both previous ones have come with a Bowden cable that is clearly 5mm longer than the factory one, too long to release the door latch so I keep swapping the cable over. Poor quality castings need trimming last time I stripped the handle pivot on a burr in the hole. So also running the bolt mod in there.

I’ve done the x8r egr delete and exhaust manifold. Mines a 2004 but had no swirl flaps

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by christhekiwi

...

I’ve done the x8r egr delete and exhaust manifold. Mines a 2004 but had no swirl flaps

No E53 X5 with the M57TU ever had swirl flaps, as far as I can tell. Vendors selling conversion kits insist that they did but they are wrong....

In some cases, the same M57TU engine in the X3 E83 did have swirl flaps fitted... weird...