PSA, check your alternator time to time

[jaredmac11]

Wish I got a picture, but my alternator was stuffed with leaves, feathers, and, not kidding, a cigarette butt. This caused the alt to overheat and nearly conjoin the alt power to the bolt. Had a hell of a time getting it off, had to destroy the plastic air vent in the back .

Long story short, when you're in there, it's worth cleaning it out.

Some models had a screen to protect the alt but mine did not. Nor the one at the pick and pull. Save yourself the chance of overheating your alternator.

[XAlt]

AHAHAHAHAHAHA


Any of you thirsty for some fresh coolant?

[RuskiE39]

Yep, I believe it. Pulled out the wife's alternator and it was full of leaves, rocks, branches, etc.

[MN2K740i]

I cleaned mine out about 10k ago.... Probably due again...At least the alt is a piece of cake to pull on the I6 lol

[Qsilver7]

Wish I got a picture, but my alternator was stuffed with leaves, feathers, and, not kidding, a cigarette butt. This caused the alt to overheat and nearly conjoin the alt power to the bolt. Had a hell of a time getting it off, had to destroy the plastic air vent in the back .

Long story short, when you're in there, it's worth cleaning it out.

Some models had a screen to protect the alt but mine did not. Nor the one at the pick and pull. Save yourself the chance of overheating your alternator.

...engine? ...model? ...model year? ...air cooled? ...water cooled?

Any of the above information would have really been helpful, too.

[wagons ho]

Yeah, I was going to ask how that stuff got in your coolant!
My air cooled alternator is going commando right now. So no problem.
Waiting for good ductwork and splash shields.

[jaredmac11]

Ha, didnt even know the e39 had a water cooled variant. This would be air cooled of course, not sure how the junk would get in otherwise-- thatd be a whole other kind of scary.

[Qsilver7]

Ha, didnt even know the e39 had a water cooled variant. This would be air cooled of course, not sure how the junk would get in otherwise-- thatd be a whole other kind of scary.

The e39s imported to the US market have multiple engines, transmissions, etc...and asking generically about an e39 may not always have the same answer.

Some e39s have manual trannys some have auto trannys...and those transmissions could be either manufactured by ZF or GM. The US e39s could have 6 different engines (three inline 6 cyl engines or three V8 engines)...some are no-VANOS, single VANOS, double VANOS:

• M52 engine
• M52TU engine
• M54 engine
• M62 engine
• M62TU engine
• S62 engine

Please consider adding your e39s details so that we can understand your posts better (now and in the future like when members may find your posts doing a search).

[cnn]

People have 2 options for M52-M54 engines:

1. Install a small screen (gutter guard) at bumper area (I posted the photos on bimmerfest).

2. Remove the air duct. That air duct is nothing but trouble.
Thousands of cars out there have no air duct and still do fine.
This air duct is German "over-engineering" thingy that back-fires on the issue that they want to prevent.

[Bill837]

From my 99 328i with 170K, but I think this helps illustrate the point..... and yes, there was at least on cigarette butt in there....


[IMG][/IMG]

[crazy4trains]

1. Install a small screen (gutter guard) at bumper area (I posted the photos on bimmerfest).

Do this. Simple and it works.

[jaredmac11]

To thanks for the image! Exactly what I saw.

I do wonder if it's over engineering or if the alternator IS overworked and needs some cooling. Probably could lead to the same result (overheating) by a different means.

I thought the same exact thing about using a screen. Fortunately I have door screen material I can use... But even that can/will clog and needs the alternator removed to get to. Perhaps an removable trap... Talk about over engineering....

[Bill837]

To thanks for the image! Exactly what I saw.

I do wonder if it's over engineering or if the alternator IS overworked and needs some cooling. Probably could lead to the same result (overheating) by a different means.

I thought the same exact thing about using a screen. Fortunately I have door screen material I can use... But even that can/will clog and needs the alternator removed to get to. Perhaps an removable trap... Talk about over engineering....

Dunno, pulled mine as part of an engine swap....