BMW E39 M5 Alternator DIY

[@DavidThomas-bb2gl]

little nick is alive great job lads

[@seveneightm5]

It's a lot easier on the M52 and M54 engines, I did that about 2 weeks ago. For me the hardest part was putting the lower bolt on while installing the new alternator.

[@DannysGarage]

For removing the fan clutch tool you can just put a regular-size 32mm open wrench on the nut and beat it to the right with a hammer. That's always worked for me without causing any damage. I have the fan clutch tool but I never use it because the hammer trick is much quicker.

[@E39Source]

That works without having to counter-hold it?

[@computiNATEor]

Yep! As long as the tensioner and belt have a little bit of life left in them.

[@espriv8]

Not sure why removing the fan is necessary

[@xrviz8922]

Nice video. Curious if you pulled the voltage regulator off the old unit to look at the brushes? Also, what you're calling the ground wire is the B+ wire going to the starter/battery +. .02

[@E39Source]

Always appreciate spare change. :D And no I didn't take the old one apart, but I might in the future to check things out.

[@salem99099]

your 2000 m5 looks newer than the 2002 beside it

[@greganagnostopoulos]

Great diy. Thanks Ryan!!!

[@albania2664]

Hi i dont know if you have this Car anymore but i need to change my altenator on my e39 m5 but all theese new altenators only have 2 pins on Them and my original has 3 pins.. what Can i do and where did you buy yours.??

[@maumuse2211]

if there is any way at all that one day y'all can do a DIY on an alternator for a BMW 540i which seems to be a Water Cooled Alternator

[@E39Source]

We already have one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baO0pmehasdofLs

[@EnduranceProduction]

I noticed a lot of oil on the undercarriage. Do you know the cause and have you addressed it? I seem to have a similar leak I am trying to diagnose and fix.

[@E39Source]

In this case, I think Nick had leaking valve cover gaskets, which have since been addressed. Other common leaks are lower oil pan gasket, upper oil pan gasket, and rear main seal.

[@lewis72]

I could do with an E39 M5 starter motor DIY video ! My '99 M5 has been on my driveway for months now with a dead starter waiting for the weather to improve and also for me to locate the damn thing !

[@E39Source]

Starter motor is by transmission bell housing, and is shielded by a piece of metal to reflect engine heat. There are some DIYs online, but no videos that I know of yet. If we have an opportunity to make one, we certainly will!

[@lewis72]

+E39Source Thank you very much ! One of the problems I've had is understanding what side of the engine it's on. I've read a few comments on Forums where it stated "Driver's side" but that's meaningless unless you know what side of the car the steering wheel is on. I think I understand now that from the driver/occupant position (i.e. in car, looking forward), it's on the RHS.

[@E39Source]

That is correct, right hand side as you're sitting in the car going down the road.

[@lewis72]

Brilliant, thanks !! Spanner's out tomorrow ! [ I've already had the alternator replaced. Also the fuel lines and diff. seals, which cost me a cool £1050 (UKP).

[@lewis72]

I can't even see any heat shields to remove, let alone a starter motor ! I can see a wheel arch liner, lots of suspension lower arms and subframe but no heatshields.

[@filipvali1840]

can you do videos with the e60 please? i love that car..

[@computiNATEor]

The name of the channel is E39Source...

[@filipvali1840]

i know, but on this channel we can see m5 e60 video, also! ;)

[@computiNATEor]

That's his dad's car in San Diego. It'll probably drop in from time to time.

[@energy99er]

Are you sure that its a lifter tick? maybe its cause of loose sparkplugs.

[@E39Source]

Lifter tick, it's normal on these cars when they sit for a while, which his has.

[@PonyboyF1]

Well done vid!

[@bobinobobinobobino]

I have a wonky question that is really a suggestion. Have you thought to go back and add tags to your videos so that they come up more in KZbin searches?

[@E39Source]

The majority of E39Source videos are already tagged. Today, tags play much less of a role in SEO than they used to, though.

[@Aardvark49]

Did you disconnect the battery first?

[@E39Source]

Yes, that should be mentioned. Always disconnect the battery before hooking up the new one.

[@ejot2]

Is it your new car or just you will fix it?

[@E39Source]

It's a friend's car, that I worked on for him.

[@derrickg5612]

Interesting, my 03 540 has a water cooled alternator.

[@jonzxcv]

FCP Euro or nothing

[@computiNATEor]

Agreed. They're fantastic.

[@crazy4gta1]

For me, Bavauto, FCP, and ECS are all very good. But I find that FCP is the best price and has lifetime warranty.

[@User84977]

That dude showing that e60. What a cringe