X5 3.0 Alternator and belts DIY (with pictures!) - Page 9

puddinboo · #1 08-19-2015, 01:07 AM

in my opinion if your alternator is full of gunk like you say it is I would go with a new or rebuilt unit. because your brushes in your alt are probably full of crap also .

cn90 · #2 08-19-2015, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddinboo

in my opinion if your alternator is full of gunk like you say it is I would go with a new or rebuilt unit. because your brushes in your alt are probably full of crap also .

Actually, that is not how VR fails. VR is a sealed unit, water cannot get in that easily.

How does VR fail? The electronic inside it (such as rectifier etc.) fails.

If you have a modem or router at home, then you will know what I mean: electronic components have finite lifespan, modem, router have a lifespan around 4-5 years or so.

Back to the VR business, after millions of cycles working as a rectifier, it will eventually fail.

puddinboo · #3 08-19-2015, 05:29 PM

rectifier is an elecronic part of the alternator, the brushes which there are 2 of them touch the commutator the piece that spins inside the alternator, that has copper windings .

bmwmcrzy · #4 06-30-2016, 05:25 PM

Do you have a link or part number for the voltage regulator ?

richardb · #5 07-02-2016, 02:25 PM

Thought I would drop this link to a DIY video I made a few months ago for replacing the M54 alternator. Hope it helps someone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ3wkR_STlI

hscgolfer06 · #6 08-26-2016, 12:18 PM

What am I don't wrong with the serpentine belt? The belt rubs when it goes around the tensioner and the wheel with the alternator bolt. Do I need a new tensioner pulley? Thanks for any help

Scott ZHP · #7 08-26-2016, 05:38 PM

The idler on the top... look at the back side of it carefully. It is keyed and has a little dimple in it. Make sure the dimple is aligned correctly and seated against the engine. It only seats one way. That should cure the belt issue.

Your belt routing looks a little interesting too. Here's the routing - this is my 330i, but same engine.

hscgolfer06 · #8 08-27-2016, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

The idler on the top... look at the back side of it carefully. It is keyed and has a little dimple in it. Make sure the dimple is aligned correctly and seated against the engine. It only seats one way. That should cure the belt issue.

Your belt routing looks a little interesting too. Here's the routing - this is my 330i, but same engine.

Thanks a ton. That worked

Scott ZHP · #9 08-28-2016, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hscgolfer06

Thanks a ton. That worked

ylwjacket · #10 09-01-2016, 12:36 PM

are the Bosch and Valeo interchangeable? I've read some stuff that says the Bosch bolts are a little different, and some that says they're the same.

I need to replace mine, but I don't know which is in it. I have to go get some Jeep parts (fix my other daughter's car), so I was hoping to get an alternator for the X whilst there. I was going to get Bosch, but don't want a fitment issue when I have it all apart. The one I'm looking at has a pulley on it, so that won't be an issue.

I've taken it out twice to do the oil filter housing gasket, but just can't remember. It seems like it was Bosch, but I wasn't really looking at that too much, as I was covered in oil at the time.

Thanks.