X5 3.0 Alternator and belts DIY (with pictures!)

[upallnight]

While you had the alternator out, you should have replaced the oil seal between the oil filter housing and engine. It's only six more bolts and the seal is under 5 bucks. Dealers and Indy will quote you close to 8 hours to replace the seal since it involves removing the alternator to access the six bolts. The seal becomes hard over time with the engine heat and the only way I was able to remove the seal from the filter housing was to heat the seal with a heat gun so that it was soft enough to come off.

[RenaissanceMan]

Originally Posted by upallnight

While you had the alternator out, you should have replaced the oil seal between the oil filter housing and engine. It's only six more bolts and the seal is under 5 bucks.

I'm getting ready to replace my alternator and would like to also change the oil seal that has been mentioned a couple of times in this very helpful thread. can someone verify if #6 in the following diagram is the right one? thanks-

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0i Lubrication system-Oil filter

[jac]

Yes, that's the seal. Replacing it did not fix the oil leak in my case (the leak is still there), but that's the seal mentioned throughout this thread. It is very time consuming to actually pry it off...

[RenaissanceMan]

Originally Posted by jac

Yes, that's the seal. Replacing it did not fix the oil leak in my case (the leak is still there), but that's the seal mentioned throughout this thread. It is very time consuming to actually pry it off...

thanks, jac! bummer that it didn't fix your leak.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by jac

Yes, that's the seal. Replacing it did not fix the oil leak in my case (the leak is still there), but that's the seal mentioned throughout this thread. It is very time consuming to actually pry it off...

If the seal is real hard, just use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat it up. This will soften the seal and it will come off in one piece.