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Thread: Alternator or Idler Pulley and Belt Tensioner gone bad?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    virginia
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    2003 745li

    Alternator or Idler Pulley and Belt Tensioner gone bad?

    Hi All! I have a 2003 745LI. I’m debating whether to fix it or sell it. It is leaking oil and I was advised that the alternator bracket and valve seals are leaking. I was also told that my alternator seized, but a second opinion advised me that it was my idler pulley and belt tensioner that needed to be replaced-not my alternator. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I’ve attached a link of a video that I recorded of the issue in question.


    https://youtu.be/-9GMdNO7AmA
    Last edited by ulimatemachine; 10-03-2018 at 10:02 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Del Mar, CA
    Posts
    856
    My Cars
    91 850i, 01 740i, 06 760
    Sure looks like a seized Alternator to me... its the only pulley that is not turning. Remove the belt and then it will be obvious. Not a big job to replace it but gotta drain the coolant.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    10,384
    My Cars
    '93 850Ci- Daily Driver
    You can remove the alternator without draining coolant - have done it twice now on my E65. If you are replacing the alternator, you can do the leaking alternator bracket fix while you are there - the new seals are less than $15 total for seals and both O-rings.
    '93 850Ci - Mineralweiß Metallic

    2001 740iL - Titansilber
    ALPINA B7 -Alpinweiß III


    ...the price of cool ain't cheap!

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