Alternator bracket gasket question..... Some advice please!
#12
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My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
I notice the exact same looking leak on my undercarriage cover but, luckily for me I traced my leak back to my vacuum pump. Fixed it last week and no more leaks since. My ac compressor and the surrounding area was covered in oil and so too was my whole front undercarriage cover.
I'd suggest you remove the cover (6 screws) and take a look. The area under my alt was clean as a whistle. You'll notice right away if it's the dreaded alternator bracket leak or not. Good luck
I'd suggest you remove the cover (6 screws) and take a look. The area under my alt was clean as a whistle. You'll notice right away if it's the dreaded alternator bracket leak or not. Good luck
Last edited by Quarta2six; 01-24-2013 at 03:35 AM.
#13
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My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
Torque list: BMW TIS. Get google to translate. Russian to English.
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Probably just a slow leak. It will get worse. And as for the vacuum pump, its on the other side of the engine. Your alt bracket is definitely leaking. But you can check to see if your vacuum pump is leaking as well. Top right of engine. Passenger side.
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My Ride: 2004 545i Sport
1998 M3
Keep in mind that a leaking driver side valve cover gasket and/or upper timing cover can result in oil that will make its way down to the alternator bracket. In my case, I replaced the alt bracket seal only to find out that it was the timing cover gasket that was leaking. Oh well, I probably would have needed to do it eventually.
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My Ride: 2006 550i
As a follow up the process took me about 10-12 hrs in labor. Mostly because it was my first time (so I took my time) trying to figure out how everything comes out and determining the best angle/position to access the fasteners. If I had to do it again I'm sure I could cut about 4 hrs off that time. Probably the item that gave me the most trouble was the alternator. Once you remove the fasteners you'll need to rotate it just right and slide it forward. For some reason mine was stubborn and wrestled with me for a while. Also be sure you keep track of which fasterners go where. Some are hex bolts, allen, torx andthey vary in length. It's always a good feeling when you don't have any parts or fasteners left over once you complete a job. lol Removal of the motor mount isn't a big deal. Once the e-torx are removed from the block just use another jack and a block of wood (or hoist if available) to support/slightly lift the engine. The e-torx can be difficult to reach (will need extensions and a universal). The bright side is reassembly seems to go much faster than disassembly. Good luck!
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Also, since my ride was out of commission and laying in pieces in my garage I used it as an opportunity for other preventative maintenance like new tensioner pulley, new defelection pulley, replace belts (my ac stretchy belt was a complete PITA and will require specialty tool), coolant flush, oil change, dielectric grease on electric connections, remove debris in radiator void (you'll see it when you take the cover off), and engine detail.
#18
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My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
Keep in mind that a leaking driver side valve cover gasket and/or upper timing cover can result in oil that will make its way down to the alternator bracket. In my case, I replaced the alt bracket seal only to find out that it was the timing cover gasket that was leaking. Oh well, I probably would have needed to do it eventually.
Also, since my ride was out of commission and laying in pieces in my garage I used it as an opportunity for other preventative maintenance like new tensioner pulley, new defelection pulley, replace belts (my ac stretchy belt was a complete PITA and will require specialty tool), coolant flush, oil change, dielectric grease on electric connections, remove debris in radiator void (you'll see it when you take the cover off), and engine detail.
Last edited by Quarta2six; 01-24-2013 at 07:59 AM.
#19
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My Ride: 04' 545, 6 Spd Manual, Blk Lthr, Sport Pkg, Sport Sts, Logic 7, Cold Wthr Pkg, Full L.E.D. Interior, Red Eng. Cvr, Mtech Front Bmpr, M5 Spoiler, Matte Blk Grill, Red Caps, Slttd & Drlld Rotors, 20
Model Year: 2004
One question I have for all of you. What tools will I absolutely need that would be out of the norm? Don't want to start and then realize I don't have something and a part store is closed.
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My Ride: Jet Black '05 545i, Sport/Premium Pkg, Steptronic, Adaptive Xenon, Nav, L7, Blue2th, PDC,
Without the tool it's a challenge, but it can be done. I somehow managed to do it without the special tool.
I did my waterpump a few years back and the crank pulley had to be removed to access one last bolt for water pump . While re-installing the crank pulley I had the compressor belt on it. I had to literally stretch the belt with the pulley and get just one bolt installed. When that bolt went in the rest was cake.