Oil covered Alternator
 

Hi All,

Went for an inspection sticker today and had my nechanic look around for an oil leak that has popped up recently... He found it, but we don't know the cause , yet! The alternator is COVERED with fresh dripping oil...


I have read about an alternator brackett gasket leak on these motors...

1st - I suspect its that..
2nd - Is there anything else I should do while we are in there...

Last , I really was thinking of posting the X5 for sale this weekend as I may have found a Cayenne Turbo or GTS (2 pedal) hehe, that I am interested in...

So , I guess I wont be putting in on the block this weekend....

How long in Mechanic Hours is this fix, IF it is the Alternator Bracket gasket and whatever else should be done while I am in there....

Thanks all!

Hi Pup,
What timing, my beast in half on the work bench as I type. I started this a few days ago and have not had a lot of time to complete. I would note doing the seals between the front diff and the engine sump since you will be unbolting the diff. These consist of a rubber o ring and a rubber seal that are just sitting on the edge of diff (no need to press fit).

Part 8 & 9 on this diagram between diff and engine and Part 8 between engine and diff support on other side.
RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

Would also plan on replacing your diff fluid (most stays in but will need topping off), giumbo flex disk (between diff and drive line), power steering fluid, engine oil (sorry if obvious). Other parts that come off which can be checked possibly replaced: belts, belt tensioner, belt deflection pulley, upper cooling pipe. Other parts easy to get at while in there; water pump, AC belt, ac belt tensioner.



Noted found a comment by someone on this pelican which referenced this job on a 4.4 on pelican forum which I will post below. His comments note removing engine mount which I did not have to do on my 2005 4.8is.

Overall the job is long but nothing too hard, the axle removal and diff unbolt scare you or run up the bill. Lots of good posts on here for axle shaft removal such as: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...placement.html


Here is the posting I found for this job on 4.4

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BMW - The Infamous Alternator Bracket Oil Leak on the E65 BMW 7-Series - Pelican Parts Technical Article

see the comment by Jerspeed of;

Comments: Just did the alternator bracket seal on my 2005 x5 4.4l. Just a few tips I want to share with everyone. Other than taking off the Mass Airflow/ Air Filter housing, the auxilary fan and cowl, the water pump, the alternator, and moving the power steering pump to the side, the biggest challenge is getting to two bolts. The lower right 16mm bolt on the alternator bracket and the 16mm upper right bolt on the front differential. In order to remove the lower right alternator bracket bolt -several things I have found that makes it easier is the following: 1: Remove the cv axels from both sides. 2. Unbolt the central nut on the driver side motor mount. 3 unbolt pry loose and move the front differential to the side - the engine cradle keeps the differential in place. in order to do this you need to use an engine lift connected to the front driver side engine lift eyelet near the upper left side of the driver side valve cover and lift about 20mm doing this allows you access to the lower left bolt on the differential. The differential 16mm upper right bolt can be loosed with a boxed offset wrench available at harbor freight $15. 4. removal of the oil Thermostat and cooler lines from the alternator bracket held on by two 5.5mm hex bolts - use a hex key. When removing the Alternator bracket be careful: 3- 13mm bolts 2 on side, 1 on the face of the bracket 1- female t45 torx bolt, 3-16mm bolts, 1 small obscure bolt on the side use a 1/4 12pt shown on upper left side of picture socket. Once all the bolts are loose the bracket should fall right out

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best of luck
J

If the alternator is covered in oil - I am thinking it's more likely the valve cover gaskets or the front timing cover gaskets causing that. Been there - done that!

I also did the alternator bracket seal about 10 months after I did the VCG and FTC gaskets. From what I recall - the alternator is higher than where the alternator gasket leaks appear so this particular leak will not accumulate oil on the alternator itself.




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Big thank you!

My son is actually a ASE Master mechanic. I'll go thru this tomorrow with him and see if he will do it with me when he gets some time.

Anything else you can think of, please add!

Would you estimate 6-8 hrs should do it?

Thanks again-

Pup

Hard to say. It's quite a bit of work. When I did mine I did it along with a cooling system overhaul (all hoses and a new valley-pan) over the course of about a month - piddling with it here and there after-work.

I tend to work slowly and often get distracted by beer.


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garrett.fell,

I just reread this ... I guess the only way to be sure it's not the alternator bracket gasket is to start tearing it open??? I would love it just to be valve cover gaskets... !!!

My alternator is covered with oil though...

I guess I am asking the impossible, but , any way to know for sure its not the Alt bracket gasket? I'll get thge parts to to the VCG, but sone't want to be all in, and find ou it's not what I need to do.

I guess I could order timng cover gaskets too though...

Thoughts?
Anyone?

Pup

Can you affix a shield of some sort to prevent the alternator from being ruined by the leaking gasket UNTIL you can afford to throw more money into the car? It seems like it's something new every 2 weeks with my 2005 X5 e53 N62 4.4i.

Source of oil leaks can be deceiving. Might want to clean the engine and then trace leak from bottom of engine to source using a bright flashlight. Better to be sure of the source before starting teardown.

Usually alternator failures in these are the result of valve cover gasket leaks. Had a failure in my 4.4i and now have the same failure in my 4.8is. Have the alternator sitting here along with a host of other parts to be installed. :rolleyes:

Mine eventually turned out to be the upper timing cover gasket leaking all over and underneath the alternator. I had first replaced the alternator gasket and was shocked to discover the oil leaks persisted after replacing it.


If I were to reverse time, I would do the alternator gasket, the valve cover and upper timing gaskets and, having gone that far, replace the valve stem seals since they're now within reach and literally staring at you.