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Thread: Probable alternator bearing issue (Water Cooled)

  1. #1
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    Probable alternator bearing issue (Water Cooled)

    I just began getting a new noise which is coming from the alternator bearing, about 25 - 30 minutes into my hour commute to work the sounds kicks in... It doesn't resonate when I'm mildly on the gas petal, however is present during idle and coast... I'm thinking it's the bearing on the water cooled alternator. My bimmer has 235,000 miles and I'm not sure if the alternator has ever been replaced. Has anyone witnessed the bearings on an alternator wearing out. I'm planning on replacing the unit because I don't think it's possible to just replace the bearing. Lastly is there another pulley I could be over-looking in the same area that would only cause an issue after the vehicle is warm and only show up after 25 - 30 minutes. Thanks in advance!
    V/R Zachary Pullins Sr.
    Florida Suncoast Chapter BMWCCA
    2016 Cadillac SRX & 1999 E39 540i/Sport
    " Vision without resources is just hallucination"

  2. #2
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    See Timm's site
    https://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Altern...eplacement.htm

    and that has a link to repair of Bearings.

  3. #3
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    I've changed the bearings before on 2 alternators, not mine.
    Heres the whole rebuild kit.
    The black plastic ring that centers the rear bearing is VERY fragile, it breaks easily.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERNATOR-...R/300919890994

    Pretty sure I have info on just the bearings too.

  4. #4
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    Mine seized without a warning noises/whine period. Toasted the entire thing. It was a junkyard replacement so it was due to happen. I got a good 20k miles out of an alternator I bought cheaper than a repair kit... not advocating to do such a half assed thing, just saying. Also rebuilt a couple of units, not very easy but not impossible. As Jim mentions, the rear bearing sleeve is really fragile. It's supposed to be plastic because the dimentional change these things have is huge. I turned an aluminum sleeve on my first rebuilt because it was "finer" and it seized up as soon as the thing got to operating temp.
    Diehard E39 driver.
    I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
    ​"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"

  5. #5
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    Jim - you had ok experience with the quality otherwise?

  6. #6
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    I bought the bearings from a place in Colorado.
    The bearings were NTN and some other brand name that I can look up if needed.
    Both good quality.

  7. #7
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by jicaino View Post
    Mine seized without a warning noises/whine period. Toasted the entire thing.
    Agreed. OK maybe I got a couple slight warning noises but not long enough / regular enough that Id even figured out what they were yet. One day went to start the car in a parking lot after a haircut and it fired up, then SEIZE-BELTSHRED-NOISE-DIE.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    Agreed. OK maybe I got a couple slight warning noises but not long enough / regular enough that Id even figured out what they were yet. One day went to start the car in a parking lot after a haircut and it fired up, then SEIZE-BELTSHRED-NOISE-DIE.
    Ha! funny! (not) Mine was better: I was returning home from a particulary spirited grocery getting, and when I got off the highway I felt a growl and the car stalled. Started it again, belt screeched and bearings growled, they seem to release for a second, drove 4 blocks and all the same. I was able to drive it to my garage by starting it, driving like a madman until it stalled, let it cool a bit and repeat again. It was fun, like busting a cable clutch away from a safe place and having to drive with no clutch.
    Diehard E39 driver.
    I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
    ​"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"

  9. #9
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    You know I think that happened too now that you mention it - the "get off the highway and car stalled" bit. Car stalled at the bottom of the offramp IIRC (just before the haircut), made funny noise, but then ran OK. Probably heat-soaked when I parked it, and that was it.
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    You know I think that happened too now that you mention it - the "get off the highway and car stalled" bit. Car stalled at the bottom of the offramp IIRC (just before the haircut), made funny noise, but then ran OK. Probably heat-soaked when I parked it, and that was it.
    Probably right. I didn't stop when I realized what was happening, I figured my only chance was to drive the 2 miles that separates my garage from the highway ramp before my battery charge would die and shredded bearings cooled down and seize for good.
    Diehard E39 driver.
    I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
    ​"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"

  11. #11
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    I reconditioned my alternator a few years ago and found a bunch of info that might help you out.

    Jim's ring (Tolerance Ring) -I bought extras, but I didn't have any issues with breakage. They do seem pretty fragile though, especially when you're putting the bearing in.
    http://www.americanenginesco.com/new...15-and-others/

    Voltage Regulator (may as well, right?)
    http://www.americanenginesco.com/bmw...age-regulator/

    A PDF I found of Bimmerfest with all the watercooled alternator part numbers.
    Looks like the info is from a place out in California. Metro Auto Industrial.

    Attachment 584328
    2003 540i/6

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by waters17 View Post
    I reconditioned my alternator a few years ago and found a bunch of info that might help you out.

    Jim's ring (Tolerance Ring) -I bought extras, but I didn't have any issues with breakage. They do seem pretty fragile though, especially when you're putting the bearing in.
    http://www.americanenginesco.com/new...15-and-others/

    Voltage Regulator (may as well, right?)
    http://www.americanenginesco.com/bmw...age-regulator/

    A PDF I found of Bimmerfest with all the watercooled alternator part numbers.
    Looks like the info is from a place out in California. Metro Auto Industrial.

    Attachment 584328
    Hey man! long time no read. Glad to see you're doing fine.
    Diehard E39 driver.
    I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
    ​"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by jicaino View Post
    Hey man! long time no read. Glad to see you're doing fine.
    Yeah, I'm still hanging around. Trying to contribute what I can. Where's my bushings?
    2003 540i/6

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by waters17 View Post
    Yeah, I'm still hanging around. Trying to contribute what I can. Where's my bushings?
    Ha! in an envelope over the headstock of the big lathe. Would you believe I totally, completely forgot that?
    Diehard E39 driver.
    I'd rather die or take a walk before driving an E60 or any BMW made after Y2K.
    ​"Your momma's so ugly she makes Bangle cars look nice"

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