Alternator Work
 

i took the belt off to determine which pump/pulley was making nosie. It was def the altrnator. It's really chunky when i turn it. So i took it out (that was a bear of a yob.) Do you think it can be just the bearings? maybe i can just replace those?

Or is that water cooler alternator not able to be opened and fixed?

Never actually looked at the water cooled alternator but it must strip like anything else. I'm sure somebody here may have stripped one at some time. Post some pics.

I dunno what happened here, but the inside of this thing was mangaled. the bearings were fine it seemed, but maybe they had a little bit of a wobble that cause the inside of the alt to get all chewed up.

http://xoutpost.com/gallery/files/7/7/4/9/jimg052.jpg

http://xoutpost.com/gallery/files/7/7/4/9/jimg053.jpg

i got the new one in, not as bad of a job as you would think. i had a lot of people screaming DEALER JOB! granted its not your typical alternator job, water cooled, alum bolts, gotta remove a bunch of stuff. i did the removal in about 3 hrs, and put it back in with an oil change and new belts in about 4 hrs. if i did it again i'd be upset but think it would only take a few hrs total.

i tested the battery and that was good, so i think it was jsut a freak thing - i dont think she was over worked. i have a couple tvs in the head rests, but dont really use them that much. i wonder if who ever installed them (previous owner) made a mistake and they are cause the alternator to work overtime. i gotta look into that.


anyhow, shes purrin like a kitten.

:thumbup:

Was it worth it - the time???? Effort?? How much did you save??

how much is the new alternator?

i read a post that it cost someone $2200 at the dealer for Alternator Replacement.

it cost me 400 (370+tax) for the rebuilt alt (anderson auto electric in waterbury CT. They do drive shafts and differentials too - this guy hooked me up nice and Quick!)
two new belts (52K miles on the original) (60 bucks from BMW)
a
gallon of antifreeze (20 + 1.50 for distilled water)
8.5 Quarts of Mobil 1 (about $6 a quart)
New Oil Filter and Drain plug (15 a la BMW)
New Air Filter ($15, this should hold me off for awhile. i want put on an intake)

that's a total of just under $600 or so. (including gas and such for driving around gettin the parts. I havent sold my 2005 Ford Ranger yet. So i got a rebuilt Alt, belts, I got an oil change in and new coolant. I learned alot about BMW's and Didn't break anything else in the process of working on the Truck - So yes it was worth it. If i broke something i would have cried, or if i put it back togather and she blew up, i would have fainted then woke up and cried.


:thumbup:

Gob well done:thumbup: