Re: M70 Alternator question (archive)

Any suggestions on how to find out if my alternator is bad without taking it out? It sounds like a big job to take out unless I'm sure it needs to be replaced. Too bad I replaced all my belts and hoses and flushed my radiator a few months ago. :( In fact, I had a new radiator installed about 4 months ago. :(

Thanks for the advice.

Rob

Las year my alternator get a bad ball bearing, and the noise was so bad and the danger og getting a ball in the electronics convinced me to replace the alternator.
Is a easy job, but is time consuming because you must remove the radiator, air filter, belts, refrigerant fluid, etc. in ordet to get some room to remove the alternato, also you must work from the upper and under side of the car's hood.

The only difficult step is to get out the fan. The screw (big) is left handed and you must fix the clucht so it does not rotate when you unscrew the fan.
The other annoyance is to replace the fluids, because the radiator must be flushed.
You have te opportuniy of replace the radiator hoses, and check lines and belts.
My official BMW dealer took my old alternator and replaced for a new one for under 300$.
The alternator is a heavy piece (115 Amps) so be careful when removing.
Total time was 6 hours to get the alternator out. three ro remount.
Good luck.
Emilio

Follow Ups:

you can check with the obc ............ wiley 21:21 9/24/2001 (2)
- OBC Instructions Wayne McKay 22:12 9/24/2001 (1)
  - Re: OBC Instructions RobWilson 12:44 9/26/2001 (0)

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