X5 3.0 Alternator and belts DIY (with pictures!)

[generx]

Originally Posted by Thumbs

One thing to note: My '01 X5 3.0i with MANUAL transmission has a hydraulic tensioner for the drive belt, and the bolt on the PULLEY is turned clockwise to relieve tension. I think the fact that mine is a manual may have something to do with the clockwise rotation because other folks have indicated CC.
Thanks Again.

Glad it helped! This should help others out since it's hard to see from above, here is a better picture ( top and front view) of the upper tensioner. The whole area encircled in red is the upper tensioner and turning the lug clockwise will spin the whole unit to the lower left which releases tension on the serpentine belt

Top view:



Front view:

[Thumbs]

Yep- that is what is different on mine. Yours has the mechanical tensioner while mine is hydraulic. Here is the realoem link: RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 3.0i Belt Drive Water Pump/Alternator

In the image it is part #21 and you torque the allen head bolt #7 clockwise to compress the cylinder:

[Foose]

Originally Posted by Thumbs

Yep- that is what is different on mine. Yours has the mechanical tensioner while mine is hydraulic. Here is the realoem link: RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 3.0i Belt Drive Water Pump/Alternator

In the image it is part #21 and you torque the allen head bolt #7 clockwise to compress the cylinder:

Does anyone know what size bit I need for bolt #7 and #16?

[Thumbs]

I don't recall exactly what I used, but it was something standard that I already had in my tool box.

I did find the torque specs in the Bentley manual for the fan clutch:
w/ BMW tool 11 5 040 30Nm
w/o BMW tool 40Nm

None of the pictures I took are really worth a darn. Sorry I can't help any more than that.

[MPDano]

Less than 2 months and my Alternator is no longer putting out. What a pain. Now I have to remove it again and take it back to the local shop that rebuilt it. I just can't get motivated to do this.

[generx]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Less than 2 months and my Alternator is no longer putting out. What a pain. Now I have to remove it again and take it back to the local shop that rebuilt it. I just can't get motivated to do this.

I feel your pain.

My battery light came on again over the weekend. I have a 2-year old battery and a fairly new alternator. I posted a new thread HERE asking for some input from the experts.

[MPDano]

Ok all, pulled and dropped off my Alternator at the shop that rebuilt it. I told him that I tested it with a volt meter the day I installed it and it showed around 13.5 volts. I then told him all my other cars show an average of 14.5 volts. He said this is true, but the BMW has the battery in the rear of the car and this is why it is 13.5 volts.

Is this true? Can someone please take a volt meter to their battery post while running and take a reading?

[generx]

MPDano, your mechanic is incompetent. Voltage its the same while running whether you take a reading off the terminal posts in front or directly on the battery.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by generx

MPDano, your mechanic is incompetent. Voltage its the same while running whether you take a reading off the terminal posts in front or directly on the battery.

I resemble that comment! Lol. I am actually the wrencher behind the scenes. That was info from the Shop that rebuilt my Alternator. Well, I just picked up the Alternator after work and then got pulled for Family chores. Yeah, I also thought that explanation to 13.5 volts was hog wash, but wanted to hear it from you guys too.

I am still hoping someone can verify that pulling a 13.7 volt average from a running X5 "IS" Normal. Please.

[rwhite79]

This post also helped with R&R the belts. Good info.