Just got through doing this job. Whew! That was an ordeal. And once I got the alternator bracket off, it was evident from how clean and shiny the block was around the oil port that I did not have a leaky gasket there, and the real culprit was the upper timing cover gasket. Fortunately I had all the necessary gaskets and solenoid o-rings on hand for that job as well.

One tip I would add is that the lower right bolt on the engine mount bracket (the hardest part of this entire job) is easier to get at if you unbolt the bracket from the engine mount and lift the driver side of the engine with a jack several inches.

 

Didnt he do that? Or am I mistaken?

 

You're right he did, and I initially had the engine supported by the jack and lifted just enough to clear the stud on the motor mount. But I found that if you go ahead and jack the engine up a couple more inches it makes that rear lower bolt a lot more accessible. Just wanted to point that out in case it helps anybody.

 

Of course, this is what I'm working on this very wet Friday!







Yep 745!

 

Wow! A real heavy-duty, water-cooled alternator.

 

OK this is definitely not as easy on a 7 series as it is on the E60, I found the need to drop the cross member to access the bolts correctly. And that alternator/bracket assembly.... friggen heavy!!!!!!

 

Just like in the movies




If spark plugs on a E60 were a '5' on a scale of 1-10 this would be a '10' on the same scale to do in the driveway with a floor jack. But you can do it if you are just patient.

 

How much time does this job take on an E60? Couple of hours or days?

Thanks!

 

It really depends on your enthusiasm but I would caution on making sure you have the correct torx socket or bit firmly inserted in before removal.

 

Well, if I am ambitious can I finish in four hours?