2002 4.4 E53 starter motor removal

[lezmtaylor]

Engine started to make a grinding noise , got home , lifted bonnet and could hear this whining, grinding noise, thought it was a belt at first.
Switched off, then tried to restart car, starter motor VERY laboured and just started car.
Switched off and left it for an hour, tried a restart, very laboured , just caught, then saw smoke from engine, so switched off and left it. I think the starter has burnt out (90,000 on clock)

Has anyone changed a starter motor on their 4.4 V8 M62 engined X5 ,if so a HOW TO would be helpful.
I have the Bentley Manual for the car, and just wondered if anyone had done this job (short cuts, tips ??)

Lez

[graemeX5]

Hi

Hope this link helps it was from amacman who replied

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... #msg121544

[lezmtaylor]

Cheers, see it was an answer to a post of mine last year, any way I have no access to a ramp, so have to jack up and put tripod under each side.
Couple of question:, which side is the starter, and why disconnect the Neg lead ( would have thought it should be +pos lead)?
I've got lpg so the tanks gonna have to be lifted to access the battery.also have just filled tank with 70 litres lpg!!!!!

Lez

[graemeX5]

Hi

I hope this helps
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attach ... 1314639316

And also a you tube video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7FaqhaaQfdQ

[lezmtaylor]

Right, thanks for the replies, have got car jacked up on tripod supports,and found if frontwheels removed makes it a lot easier to undo the 6 suspension support plate nuts and bolte (I'll loctite the nuts on reassembly) and the 2 small bolts at front of plate.
Was hoping to remove starter without disconnecting battery but think it will be too risky and may short the live lead at the starter  sooooooooo am having to lift the lpg tank which I have just filled with 70 litres.
Luckily I have already bought an engine lifting hydraulic tripod for this purpose,will take about 2 hours to disconnect etc and get to the battery ( I am going to fit accessible  isolators to the pos and neg battery leads).Also I have changed the lpg hoses to flexible , which anyone thinking of fitting lpg needs to make sure this is in the price quote and makes tank lifting a doddle.
Then finish the starter swop.
Am I right in thinking if I was to short the live starter lead I run the risk of wrecking the harness at the battery end and have to buy a new one costing ££££.?

Any way tomorrow onwards and upwards.

Will let know how it goes.

Lez

[X5Sport]

The main +ve starter cable goes straight to the battery.  Shorting to ground is a BAD idea.  You'll effectively short the battery, and it might object and explode unless the short is removed very quickly.  You would almost certainly melt the insulation and your day would go from bad to really bad!!

You need to get the battery -ve off for safety, or fit an insulating sleeve over the +ve and hope your spanners don't short either!  Defo get the -ve off before doing anything else.

[lezmtaylor]

Starter found to be ok, so must be up front.
so have removed the cooling fan to get access to all the belts, and removed them, found the Alternator has seized solid!!!!!!!!!!.
Ordered new belts and will also order a new alternator (what is the dfference between the alternators, mine does not have cooling slots for water to circulate around inner body) some do have cooling slots I think.

I have found an  ace  site for info it is called'' Pelican Parts'', with loads of photos and write ups, the best I have ever seen ( although it is American!! )

Regards,
Lez