Alternator needs replacing 3.0i but have lpg tank over battery help please

[willos]

Coming home tonight the alternator packed up (not charging the battery)  Heres the problem.  I have a lpg tank over my battery so cannot isolate the battery from the back.  Can it be isolated from the front before i take the alternator off.    Whats the best way to take the alternator out .  From the top or bottom or both ways.  I have a 3.0i petrol e53.  Many thanks

[X5Sport]

In a word, no.

All you can do is carefully disconnect and insulate all the +ve terminals up front but the battery will remain connected and powering the car.

Some tanks can be gently lifted without disconnecting any gas lines to get at the battery, but not all.

[tombs]

If the LPG tank is a donut shape its shouldnt be to hard to loosen lift and then isolate the battery?

[shadrack]

have you looked underneath car, my lpg x5 had been modified so battery came out from under the car

[willos]

the tanks 1/2 full so weighs a lot.    Did think of engine hoist it out .  Now thinking there must be a main fuse somewhere to the ecu

[willos]

also thinking of going for a complete battery drain before the job.  Any thoughts

[LooneyLeon]

Rightly or wrongly I changed my Alternator over Xmas and didnt disconnect the battery, just be careful and tape up the connectors, its really not difficult to do buddy.

[X5Sport]

[quote="willos"]
also thinking of going for a complete battery drain before the job.  Any thoughts
[/quote]

Not a good thing to do to a modern battery.....will shorten its life and leave you with the same problem - getting at it.

[lezmtaylor]

My Car is lpg, and I have several times removed the donut (95 litre).
The safest way is to invest or borrow an engine lifter which has wheels which will enable you to position it under the rear of the car and the Jib will go in over the top of the tank, if you have flexible hoses you have no need to disconnect the tank, if solid wall hoses you WILL have to disconnect them.
Also bear in mind that when you disconnect the battery the boot will remain locked and is a sod to undo unless you can access the emergency cable disconnect in the boot ( see you hand book for how to access and use).
Hope this helps,
Lez

[willos]

Thanks guys now posted a new thread re problems