Changing n54 starter--is it original?

dangdude · 09-09-2018, 12:54 PM

2007 335i, 130k miles, not much records but well taken care of.

Symptom is starter was slow when engine was hot. Replaced ground strap to block but that did not help. Assumed starter was original.

But I found steel t10 bolts instead of aluminum t12 bolts holding it on. It's marked Bosch; not sure how I can tell whether it's original or not. I don't see a BMW roundel on it but I'm not sure the original had it either.

Anyone know if steel bolts were ever used at the factory instead of aluminum?

Kevinl · 09-10-2018, 12:41 AM

I think they were steel on mine only the larger bellhousing bolts were aluminum

feuer · 09-10-2018, 12:59 AM

Even if starter was replaced (seem like it was) perhaps the bolts were not.

smass · 09-10-2018, 05:36 AM

Nearly all parts have a date code on them.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 09-10-2018, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangdude

2007 335i, 130k miles, not much records but well taken care of.

Symptom is starter was slow when engine was hot. Replaced ground strap to block but that did not help. Assumed starter was original.

But I found steel t10 bolts instead of aluminum t12 bolts holding it on. It's marked Bosch; not sure how I can tell whether it's original or not. I don't see a BMW roundel on it but I'm not sure the original had it either.

Anyone know if steel bolts were ever used at the factory instead of aluminum?

I thought for sure all original genuine parts definitely had a BMW logo on them.

mweisdorfer · 09-10-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangdude

2007 335i, 130k miles, not much records but well taken care of.

Symptom is starter was slow when engine was hot. Replaced ground strap to block but that did not help. Assumed starter was original.

But I found steel t10 bolts instead of aluminum t12 bolts holding it on. It's marked Bosch; not sure how I can tell whether it's original or not. I don't see a BMW roundel on it but I'm not sure the original had it either.

Anyone know if steel bolts were ever used at the factory instead of aluminum?

I'm still on the original starter & I have 156,000 miles. Starter shows no sign of slowing down. Your starter could very well be Original.

Some Asian Guy · 09-10-2018, 10:30 PM

I just replaced mine at 130k on my 09 335i. My OE starter was a denso. Replaced it with a new Bosch unit. I did notice that the solenoid on the bosch was much larger than the denso. Also, the replacement starter bolts I bought had a larger head on them than the ones I removed.

dangdude · 10-17-2018, 08:57 PM

Yes, I found a date code on the starter of 4/2007, so it was original. New starter works great. :-)

09-09-2018, 12:54 PM	#1
dangdude Fixing stuff is fun. 15 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 07 335i 6MT, e46 zhp, z3mr Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: St. Louis MO iTrader: (0)	Changing n54 starter--is it original? 2007 335i, 130k miles, not much records but well taken care of. Symptom is starter was slow when engine was hot. Replaced ground strap to block but that did not help. Assumed starter was original. But I found steel t10 bolts instead of aluminum t12 bolts holding it on. It's marked Bosch; not sure how I can tell whether it's original or not. I don't see a BMW roundel on it but I'm not sure the original had it either. Anyone know if steel bolts were ever used at the factory instead of aluminum?
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09-10-2018, 12:41 AM	#2
Kevinl Lieutenant 210 Rep 563 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M3 Alpine White 6MT Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (0)	I think they were steel on mine only the larger bellhousing bolts were aluminum
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09-10-2018, 12:59 AM	#3
feuer Major General 4276 Rep 9,209 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Even if starter was replaced (seem like it was) perhaps the bolts were not.
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09-10-2018, 05:36 AM	#4
smass Lieutenant Colonel 399 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	Nearly all parts have a date code on them.
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09-10-2018, 10:30 PM	#7
Some Asian Guy Second Lieutenant 71 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: DFW, TX iTrader: (0)	I just replaced mine at 130k on my 09 335i. My OE starter was a denso. Replaced it with a new Bosch unit. I did notice that the solenoid on the bosch was much larger than the denso. Also, the replacement starter bolts I bought had a larger head on them than the ones I removed.
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10-17-2018, 08:57 PM	#8
dangdude Fixing stuff is fun. 15 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 07 335i 6MT, e46 zhp, z3mr Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: St. Louis MO iTrader: (0)	Yes, I found a date code on the starter of 4/2007, so it was original. New starter works great. :-)
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