Replacing the alternator on most 4 and 6 cylinder BMWs thru the early 1990s
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- BLOG ARTICLE: blog.bavauto.co...
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All of the items shown in these videos are available in our online store at www.bavauto.com/. Need additional tech help? Please visit our tech blog for thousands of Tech and DIY BMW and MINI articles at: blog.bavauto.com/
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In this DIY video we will replace the alternator on an E30 chassis BMW (3-series 84-91). The model used in this video is a 1987 325is, and we will be installing the high quality Bosch remanufactured alternator. Note that the procedures shown will be generally applicable to most BMWs with the single cam 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines with V-type accessory drive belts. This includes the 2002, CS, Bavaria, 3-series thru 91, 5-series thru 93 (except 91on 525i & V8), 6 series thru 89 and 7-series thru 92 (except V8).
When replacing the alternator, we recommend that the accessory drive belts be replaced as well, since they will need to be removed for the alternator replacement. This would include the alternator (and water pump) belt, power steering belt and the air conditioning belt. Additionally, you may find that the belt tensioning adjuster bar and/or toothed adjusting nut have worn and need to be replaced to allow proper belt tensioning.
The Bentley Haynes or Chilton repair manuals will cover model specific steps, torque values and details. This DIY will assume that the DIYer has the applicable repair manual for additional references.
Parts:
Alternator -
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Accessory drive belts -
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Adjuster bars and toothed nuts -
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Tools:
Bentley repair manuals -
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Metric socket and ratchet set -- 3/8" and ½" drive, 10mm through 19mm
Metric combination wrench set -- 10mm through 19mm
Various common mechanic's hand tools -- Screwdrivers, pliers, pry bars, etc.
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All products noted in this video can be purchased in our online store, www.bavauto.com/, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are also welcome to e-mail us at info@bavauto.com or call into our headquarters and speak to our knowledgeable advisors at (800) 535-2002 (Mon.-Thurs. 8AM to 9PM EST, Fri. 8AM to 7PM EST, and Sat. 9AM to 4PM EST).
Thank you for the clear images of taking off the spacers, pulley, and fan! It made our rebuild a complete success!
Straight forward, easy to follow, good video footage.
Funnily enough, I've done this procedure just 2 weeks ago on my 1984 BMW 318i ;-) But thanks for the videos, keep them coming!
huge help mate, thanks!
Great videos! you save me lots of money!
Very informative. Thank you.
thanks for the video this should help me out, I was wondering if you had a video on coolant pipes and how to fix a short in the cluster
No current video on replacing coolant hoses. However, you may like to check out the video on coolant replacement. Once the coolant is drained, you can replace any of the hoses, then perform the refill/flush, as in the video. view the video and DIY here: blog.bavauto.com/12402
We also have a few DIYs on early instrument cluster issues. Just visit our tech-blog at blog.bavauto.com and search for "cluster" and "Instrument".
Thank you for the vids!!! Please make video on how to service bmw f10. How to change brake pads for example. Any electronic tools, adaptation required??
Thank a lot!
See the link below (from our Tech Blog) for Later model BMW brake pad replacement. The article is written on an E60, but the F10 is the same.
blog.bavauto.com/11430
Hello dear friend. I have an e30 325i from 1990. At the time of starting it, the car starts but it feels like it is staying. Then I give the accelerator a couple of kicks to increase the rpm and the operation stabilizes, keeping it until it stops and turns on again. I tightened the alternator belt and changed the IAC as another youtuber had told me, but today I tried it and the problem persists. I would appreciate some information about the problem, if you had to see something similar. Thanks and regards from Chile.
Super helpful!
Thanks a lot!!
Amazing video thank you for posting.
1 thing that I didn't catch from the video. The Adjuster securing nut - which way do you turn the nut to loosen? I tried loosening it as if the threaders are standard direction (i.e. pulling the handle towards me or "to the left") but the nut seems to be really stuck or I'm loosening it the wrong way. Any help would be great! Thank you.
I could have really used this video about 2 months ago as my alt completely blew up. I a lot of curse words were thrown around.
Sorry we couldn't help you earlier!
What is the torque spec for the alternator pulley bolt? I could not find this information in the Bentley manual.
Is there any possible way you guys could make a video for VANOS repair for a '04 325i? Would be of much help. Thanks for the great videos!
While we have not done an M54 VANOS repair video. We do have a very detailed photo DIY. See the link below:
blog.bavauto.com/13829/bmw-diy-double-vanos-repair-rebuild-on-m52tu-m54-and-m56-6-cylinder/
I was stationed in Germany in the late 80's, I had a 318i and loved it!! I never heard the engine designations I'm seeing now (i.e. E30, E36,E46, etc) where does this information come from?? Thanks.
The chassis codes (such as; E30, E36, etc) and engine codes (such as M10, M20, M54) are all BMW's internal code names for the various chassis and engine families. They have always had them, but perhaps various regions or enthusiast groups may not be familiar with their use.
Thanks so much for sharing your professional expertise! I changed the voltage regulator with a new one as the brushes were worn and charged up my battery and car started right up. Right by the belts it had been really squeaky and I could not pinpoint the source of the squeaky sound. So is that right that the bearings inside the alternator may have been the source of the squeaky sound? Well few days later, I was driving and radio was going off and on and some lights flashed on the dashboard as I parked my 1991 325ix 2 door coupe e30 which I bought 3 months ago. Car would not start as I guess battery was drained. You think the squeaky sound possibly coming from the alternator rotor bearings may have gave out and made the alternator weak and drained the battery or perhaps, also guess the diode failed and sent AC voltage and not DC voltage to the battery and drained it to? Just been watching alot of videos so I can have enough "do it yourself confidence". I guess for now replace the alternator but the battery is only 9 months old in the car so don't know if latest incident permanently weakened the battery but will charge it up again. You made the best step by step video here on how to change the alternator on an e30. Any professional advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Let's see if I have this correct:
You installed a new regulator but the battery is still not charging (or charging fully).
Did you check the charging voltage after replacing the regulator assembly? What was/is it? If the alternator has a faulty rectifier (diodes), there will be no charging voltage at all. You will see the battery voltage start at about 12.9 volts (if charged) and steadily drop (with the engine running, headlights on and blower running). If there is some charging (voltage stays around 12.9 (ish) or does not drop, you may have a faulty engine ground cable. This is the short cable or braided strap that goes from the engine (oil pan, engine mount bracket or back of the alternator) to the vehicle frame, on the driver's side (left side). If you attach a jumper cable from the ground lug on the passenger side strut tower to the engine (to make a good ground) and the charging voltage goes up or you see a spark (with the engine running) .... the ground cable needs to be replaced.
Good for an 323i e21 1980? Cheers
Any advice on removing the alternator nut??? I tried everything and can’t get it removed.... do you sell the fan and pulley parts???
I can’t tighten the tension , what am I doing wrong.
Thank you
Let me ask you a question. I broke the stud on the alternator adjuster bar that goes into the motor. What is the part # for the stud? I have called multiple BMW dealerships and even fceuro and no one could help me.
How tight does the belt need to be? A little deflection? Or none? You didn't really indicate that at all.
Thanks otherwise...going to be putting a used one in my 325i...need a new bolt for the fan though, as I don't have a new one.
So to replace just the alternator belt, you only need to loosen the adjuster nut?
Not exactly - you must first remove the A/C and the power steering belts (they have adjusters similar to the alternator, with the toothed nuts). You may have to loosen the other mounting bolts so the A/C compressor and the PS pump can move .... just as you would with the lower alternator mount/pivot bolt. this must be loosened, but not fully removed.
Awesome, thanks for the reply.
I have been scratching my head trying to figure this out! thank you for the reply and great content
Hello,
I am having difficulties getting the a/c and power steering components loose enough to remove the belts so that I can replace the alternator belt. I have completely loosened all of the bolts that fasten these components, is there something that I am missing?
1989 535i
Thanks.
If the adjuster bolts (with the toothed nuts) are loose AND the opposite pivot bolts are loose, try using a prybar to move the components while using the wrench on the toothed nuts. Just be cautious ... you don't want to break the brackets or adjusters.
What size wrench did you use to remove the nut on the pulley?
Should be 24mm
My brother-in-law bought a used BMW a few years ago. His alternator went bad after a few months. The local BMW shop quoted him 2000 bucks for a replacement. He promptly sold the car and got himself a Nissan Altima. "Never again", he said!
Or, he could have changed it himself for $200 ! We're here to help all BMW and MINI owners. Just call our Advisors at 800-535-2002.
LOVE the video...Thank You!!
cant get my alternator off for the life of me. belt is way too tight after removing the top bolt and i cant access the bottom bolt. everyone makes it seem so easy. fuck e30s
i see your alternator sways back and forth after removing the top adjusting bolt. mine just stays in place because the belt is just ON THERE. dont get it. why is my car so fucking different than everyone elses. i have a 1985 325e such dog shit