Mike's Alpine White 1991 318is

[mike.bmw]

This might be my favorite set of my 318is...

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[mike.bmw]

Pulled some film out? Cars are looking pretty joyful!

Film would've been fun, but I shot these with my Nikon D5600. When I set out to do this, it was mid day with nice cloud cover to full, but that quickly turned into sun by the time I got to the location. The photos looked like junk in my normal editing style, so I tried something a bit different in Lightroom (what I use to edit my photos) in attempt to salvage them. It does give that film effect though, which I kinda dig.

[moatilliatta]

Pulled some film out? Cars are looking pretty joyful!

[mike.bmw]

When worlds collide...

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[monty23psk]

I think 14.2 volts is within spec. The voltage regulator is rated for 14V. Everything I've read indicates that when the car is running, the voltage at the battery should be between 13.8 and 14.2 volts.

This is right for all e30s. Just need to be above 14v for optimal charging but nothing above 14.5.

[econti]

Keep an eye on it, I've had motorcycles melt batteries at 14.5, which is not a fun experience

[mike.bmw]

14.2 is quite high for a charge, if at that level consistently it will kill batteries

I think 14.2 volts is within spec. The voltage regulator is rated for 14V. Everything I've read indicates that when the car is running, the voltage at the battery should be between 13.8 and 14.2 volts.

[econti]

14.2 is quite high for a charge, if at that level consistently it will kill batteries

[mike.bmw]

Today I installed alternator number two. The second alternator came in MUCH better condition. No stripped threads. No broken pieces. It did have the extra long bolts, but I swapped those out quickly from my existing alternator. The plastic wiring guide was also different (but not broken), so I swapped that as well.

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I ordered new alternator bracket bushings, which arrived today. The old ones were quite past it. The alternator sits nicely (and securely) with the new bushings pressed in.

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Bushings installed (the old ones just fell out):

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Here is the difference in the plastic wiring guide. The curved piece is what was installed on the previous alternator (and is what works):

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The new one even came with a new supressor installed, where as the last one did not. And some beauty shots...

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And it's in:

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And it's charging (even better than the last one):

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Tomorrow I'll go for a drive. Fingers crossed it doesn't end in sparks like the last time.

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[mike.bmw]

You can get a Bosch reman AL0152X on ebay for ~$250, or an AC Delco 3341893 reman on Rockauto for ~$165 plus shipping. You may also simply try a new regulator 12311726022, which is about $20 for the Hella unit, on your original alternator.

As to amperage, I think the 90a is for our typically equipped A/C cars, whereas it might be easy enough to find/use a 65a alternator on a more typically equipped Euro 318i with no fogs, no AC, and a very basic audio setup. An 80a might work, but running the AC, stereo, and all of the lights at night in summer might be a struggle to maintain battery charge.

Thanks, roguetoaster! I didn't know these existed. The AC Delco unit looks identical to the CarQuest unit. The Bosch unit looks nice.

The second CarQuest alternator is being delivered today. When the new bushings arrive next week I'll install it. If it's DOA, I'll go with the Bosch AL0152X for round three.

The voltage regulator on the old unit is fairly new. I replaced it about a year ago as the original was worn down to nubs. So I think that's still working correctly, it's just a tired alternator.

[roguetoaster]

You can get a Bosch reman AL0152X on ebay for ~$250, or an AC Delco 3341893 reman on Rockauto for ~$165 plus shipping. You may also simply try a new regulator 12311726022, which is about $20 for the Hella unit, on your original alternator.

As to amperage, I think the 90a is for our typically equipped A/C cars, whereas it might be easy enough to find/use a 65a alternator on a more typically equipped Euro 318i with no fogs, no AC, and a very basic audio setup. An 80a might work, but running the AC, stereo, and all of the lights at night in summer might be a struggle to maintain battery charge.

[mike.bmw]

You'll be a veteran mechanic before you know it. I feel your pain!

Ride looks great Mike!

Do you still have the original Alternator? I find better luck finding an alternator / Starter repair shop that been around for a bit with an old dude to rebuild them

Thanks! Unfortunately the alternator being replaced is the same CarQuest make and model, not the original. This one lasted 8 years or so. Otherwise I would definitely get the original rebuilt!

FCP Euro sells an 80A version, but I believe my car requires the 90A version. Though I don't know if it really matters or if the housings are any different.

[moatilliatta]

This was the first drive since installing the new alternator, a CarQuest 90A remanufactured unit purchased through Advance Auto Parts. Things were going well until the new alternator start making horrible sounds and shooting sparking everywhere. Sparks like I was taking a grinder to metal. So, after calling Advance Auto Parts customer service to complain, I was transferred incorrectly THREE times, exponentially increasing my level of frustration.

Removal only took 15 minutes this time around. I returned it to a local store, where the store manager was actually very nice. Given I have no other options, I rolled the dice and ordered another one which should arrive next week. In the meantime, I've ordered new alternator bracket bushings as the old ones are a little tired.

I did manage to take some photos before the "new" alternator went south.

You'll be a veteran mechanic before you know it. I feel your pain!

Ride looks great Mike!

Do you still have the original Alternator? I find better luck finding an alternator / Starter repair shop that been around for a bit with an old dude to rebuild them

[mike.bmw]

Yesterday I took my 318is for its first drive in weeks. What can I say, I've been busy with the E36 M3 sedan.

This was the first drive since installing the new alternator, a CarQuest 90A remanufactured unit purchased through Advance Auto Parts. Things were going well until the new alternator start making horrible sounds and shooting sparking everywhere. Sparks like I was taking a grinder to metal. So, after calling Advance Auto Parts customer service to complain, I was transferred incorrectly THREE times, exponentially increasing my level of frustration.

Removal only took 15 minutes this time around. I returned it to a local store, where the store manager was actually very nice. Given I have no other options, I rolled the dice and ordered another one which should arrive next week. In the meantime, I've ordered new alternator bracket bushings as the old ones are a little tired.

I did manage to take some photos before the "new" alternator went south.

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[mike.bmw]

Yesterday I replaced the alternator on my E30 318is. The only one I could find that wasn't in backorder was a reman unit from CarQuest, which happened to be what was already in the car for the last 7 years.

Last year my 318is battery died due to a completely worn voltage regulator. So after replacing the VR and battery everything was good. The battery died in my wife's car recently, so I decided to recheck the charging voltage of the 318is. It was below 13, which prompted me to replace the alternator.

The CarQuest replacement is garbage. The bolts holding the housing together were too long, one cracking the plastic that routes the wiring on the back. Another making contact with a power steering hose when installed. I transferred the good plastic from my old one and swapped the long bolts from old to new as well. The threaded holes in the new housing were all stripped, so I had to tap new threads and use new bolts.

After a couple of hours of problem solving, the reman unit is installed and charging the battery at 14 volts. We'll file this under #vintageprep.

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