When it comes to car brands that are paving the way in car innovation, BMW comes to mind. BMWs are well known for their resilience, reliability, and premium performance on the road. For this, they’ve become one of the most sought-after car brands in the country. These good qualities don’t absolve BMWs from faulty parts that require repairs. One of the common issues associated with BMWs is oil leakage from the alternator seal.
The alternator seal of your BMW is a rubber diaphragm that protects the oil in the engine from leaking into the alternator. Over time, the alternator seal will develop faults due to defects from other parts or wear and tear through constant usage. When the alternator seal becomes damaged, it will start leaking oil.
The function of the alternator of your BMW is to act as an energy generator that generates enough electrical energy to charge your battery at intervals as you drive. It also controls the automated processes of your car. Hence, when the alternator seal of your BMW leaks oil, it affects the function of an alternator and causes it to lose its operations.
Symptoms of a Failing Alternator Seal
When the alternator seal of your vehicle is damaged, your vehicle will give off some signs to alert you. When you notice the signs below, bring your car to our skilled BMW specialists for affordable repairs.
- Oil leak: Oil leaks are the most obvious sign for alternator seal oil leaks. If the oil starts leaking from the alternator seal, you will find oil at the bottom of the engine bay and on the floor of your garage or wherever you parked your car.
- Electrical failures: Oil leaking into the alternator blocks the generation of power for electrical operations. You’ll notice that some if not all of the automated systems in your BMW, like the computerized windows, security locks, window wipers, and radio, will not work correctly. Check your car’s dashboard for additional signs and report the symptoms to a professional mechanic immediately you notice them.
- Drained battery: The alternator powers the battery of your BMW. Although the battery makes it possible for your car to start, the alternator is responsible for recharging the battery as you drive your vehicle. Therefore, when oil leaks into the alternator, your car’s battery will also suffer, causing it to drain faster than usual as it’ll not be recharged quickly by the alternator. So, if your car battery is suddenly quiet and the lights or engine wasn’t left running, then a damaged alternator seal might have caused the alternator to stop working.
- GEN light: When The GEN light on the gauge cluster comes on, it indicates an alternator malfunction. You’ll notice it if you’ve been paying attention to your vehicle. When you do, take your car to the mechanic right away to have it examined to prevent further issues.
How to Fix Failing Alternator Seals
The best thing to do when your alternator seal is failing is a replacement. Although replacing the alternator seal doesn’t cost much, the process involves removing the alternator and power steering pump.
To achieve this, the mechanic needs to:
- loosen all motor mounts;
- jack-up the engine by several inches to have clearance.
- disconnect the front driveshaft from front axles;
- remove bolts around the alternator, and
- remove the alternator bracket.
Professional technicians recommend that mechanics use extra sealant for added protection against oil leakage in the future.
Trust Dart Auto with Your BMW
Alternator repairs require a skilled BMW specialist, and Dart Auto employs expert mechanics. With 
over ten years of repairing German vehicles, Dart Auto pride itself as the #1 auto repair shop serving communities in and around Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, and Denver, CO.
Our professionals are intentional in making sure our repairs are right the first time we are faced with a problem. At Dart Auto, all our technicians are ASE-certified, equipped with factory repair information and training with an in-depth understanding of auto repairs and how to use the proper diagnostic equipment and specialist tools.
Our high-quality services will also help you save costs. We make sure all customers are aware of the problems found by diagnostic testing and give you a full report, allowing you to choose your repairs based on our transparency and honesty.
When you bring your car to Dart Auto, you need not to worry about the quality of our repairs because we offer only the best. Please call or visit our shop to schedule an appointment with our professionals.
