alternator swap on a N62 engine
 

this is by no means a how to more a few tips i found while replacing my alternator , firstly i didn't disconnect the battery just disconnect the cable going to the jump start point , next remove the whole air filter box as this gives you more room to remove the cooling fan assembly , be extra careful lifting this out as i caught the small bleed off hose on the top of the radiator which broke clean off :doh:,which comes as part of most of the cooling hoses on the front of the engine more expense , i am slowly finding that anything plastic in the engine bay seems to need replacing as to date i have done the expansion tank , washer fluid bottle , doing the power steering bottle while doing the alternator as its leaking , while in there i am replacing both drive belts and all pulley bearings as you can see in pics the pulley bearings are all the same once removed from there respective arms , my final tip is the bottom bolt of the two holding the alternator on undo this a few turns and tap it gently with a hammer as this is in the sliding part of the mounting so it opens up a little to aid removal.

That's the best tip for air cooled alternator. This video demonstrates the technique perfectly.

Great video, Andrew! Wish I had seen this before tackling mine. I don't think 04 E53 N62 original design alternator had the sliding nut. The replacement I got did though. That extra couple of millimeters made it much easier to get back in.

alternator swap on a N62 engine
 

[mention]bmwfan0101 [/mention] found the video. I'm pretty sure all the air cooled alternators have the threaded insert. I didn't notice it existed the first time I removed my alternator but I did the second time and the improvement in the ease of install can't be exaggerated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8lo...annel=DannyD69

I used this video when i did mine. Its awesome, the guys is just ripping stuff off, throwing it around, and has the damn alternator off in nearly 10 minutes lol. Good stuff.

Once you've done it, you can do it again in about 15 minutes. Having to replace 3 faulty replacement rebuilt alternators made me very proficient in fan/shroud removal and alternator removal on the N62. One of the more "enjoyable" jobs to perform on the X5. :thumbup:

i must admit its a job that was heaps easier than it looks if it wasn't for the dam water pipe breaking , think i might need to replace battery before winter as the volts are mid 14s when running but when i turn key in morning after being left over night its in the 11s still starts fine but for peace of mind will get new battery before winter.

looks like he is stripping it for parts :lmao:

Just like my two URO waterpumps, then the last one was BMW :rofl: All replaced in two weeks.