12 31 020 Removing and installing or replacing alternator (N63)

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Necessary preliminary tasks:

Switch off ignition.
Clamp off battery negative lead , see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD .
Remove acoustic cover , see REMOVING ENGINE COVER (N63)
Remove suction filter housing , see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD and 13 71 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH INTAKE FILTER HOUSINGS (N63) .
Remove fan cowl with electric fan, see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD and 17 11 035 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FAN COWL WITH ELECTRIC FAN (N63) .
Remove alternator drive belt , see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD and 11 28 010 REPLACING ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT (N63) .
Remove intercooler expansion tank , see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD and 17 13 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING INTERCOOLER EXPANSION TANK (N63) .
Remove fuel feed line , see 13 53 332 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FEED LINE (N63) .

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Cover radiator.

Release clamps (1) and (2).

Replace clamps (2).

Detach both charge-air ducts (3) and remove.

Check gaskets on turbocharger, replacing if necessary.

Fig 1: Identifying Charge-Air Ducts And Clamps

G06178876

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Picture shows the left side, the procedure for the right side is identical.

Detach hoses (1) from clean-air pipe.

Release screw (2).

Tightening torque 13 71 1AZ, see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD and 13 71 AIR INTAKE DUCT .

Detach clean-air pipe (3) in direction of travel from turbocharger.

Check seals on clean-air pipe, replacing if necessary.

Fig 2: Identifying Clean-Air Pipe, Screw And Hoses

G06178877

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull off cable duct (1) from cable holder (2) in upward direction.

Release cable (3) from holder.

Fig 3: Identifying Cable Duct And Cable Holder

G06178878

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull off plug (1).

Detach cover (2) and release nut underneath.

Tightening torque 12 42 1AZ, see 61 20 900 DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY NEGATIVE LEAD and 12 42 WIRES TO STARTER .

Installation:

Reinstall cover (2) without fail risk of short circuiting!

Disconnect battery positive lead (3) from alternator.

Remove fuel feed line (4), see 13 53 332 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FEED LINE (N63) .

Fig 4: Identifying Fuel Feed Line, Plug And Cover

G06178879

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1) on turbocharger coolant pump (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Turbocharger Coolant Pump And Screw

G06178880

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Picture shows the left side, the procedure for the right side is identical.

Release screws (1).

Tightening torque 12 31 1AZ, see 12 31 ALTERNATOR WITH DRIVE AND MOUNTING PARTS .

Fig 6: Identifying Battery Screw

G06178881

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove alternator (1) together with bracket (2) in direction of travel.

Fig 7: Identifying Alternator And Bracket

G06178882

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Check stored fault message.
Add final details to vehicle.
Now clear the fault memory.