Alternator Repalcement - W203 CDi

[ernieh]

Hi All,
First of all, A very Happy New Year to each and every one of you!

My Son-in-Law has just been quoted £822.92 + VAT to replace a faulty alternator in a C220CDi (60k miles; 1 month out of Warranty; 'no goodwill'). The same car also needs an Air Mass Meter, its second, at £215 + VAT + fitting. The diagnostic time of 1 hour would be waived if they did the repair.

In the good old days, I have replaced the diode packs in many an Allegro, Maxi and Princess's alternator for a fraction of the cost of a new Manufacturers' alternator and could probably do the same for him, except that he lives in Kent and I live in Scotland and I've already been in England twice in the last 3 weeks!

However, I would be grateful if somebody could please advise if diode packs are available for MB alternators and from whom? How difficult is it to get the alternator out of a C220CDi?

For interest, would a good Indy, like Black 55, for example, routinely replace diode packs, assuming this was the problem, or would it be a replacement job? Any indications of cost would be useful.

Many thanks to all who respond, once again.

Regards, Ernie

 

[television]

There is a brush pack on the alternator, Why not take the car to a Bosch agent , where they can do both much cheaper than MB


I can give you the nearest Bosch service center

 

[ernieh]

Bosch Service Centres

Thanks, Malcolm, My Son-in-law lives in Orpington, Kent and the car is presently in the MB Dealership at Dartford, so a Bosch agent in Dartford would be most helpful. Your help is appreciated.

If you want to email me I'm at: ehog6@aol.com

Thanks, Ernie

 

[type49]

Mb sell reg packs for petrol alternators but I've never replaced a pack on a diesel so I'm not sure about them. Just beware CDi alternators are cooled by the engines coolant & are not a 10 minute removal job.

 

[television]

You can edit your Enail away now I have sent a test one and I will send the address in the morning

 

[ernieh]

Diesel Alternators

Mb sell reg packs for petrol alternators but I've never replaced a pack on a diesel so I'm not sure about them. Just beware CDi alternators are cooled by the engines coolant & are not a 10 minute removal job.

Thanks for that, Type 49.......What you say figures as MB are quoting 3.5 hours labour for the job.

Ernie

 

[jberks]

We had to replace the whole alternator on our E220cdi. We did ask about the diode pack but were told that whilst that what they would normally do, it wasn't possible on this unit so the only option was to replace the whole unit. It was around £450 exchange from MB I believe.
The MAS is only that much if you buy new from the dealer and pay full price. Try a bosch agent, they should be vastly cheaper and fitting is an easy 5 mins for a novice.

Parts are funny things. I went into a local motor factor for a thermostat for the Jeep. Figured as I paid around £8 for one for my escort (last time I changed one) maybe £15ish? Nope. Dealer only and £90!!!

 

[television]

At least a Bosch outlet will fit an exchange part and thats some that MB do not offer

To the OP, there is one dealer just below Datford and I will send details later in the day

 

[ernieh]

Satisfactory Outcome

Many thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

MB came back through the dealer to say that they would contribute to the cost of the alternator repair making it worthwhile to leave the car with them to do the job.

For information, though, it seems that something more serious than the regulator had gone wrong with the alternator as the poly belt was damaged as well.

The MAS will be done at the nearby Bosch Service Centre, as suggested, at a fraction of MBs cost.

Altogether a very satisfactory outcome.

Best regards to all,


Ernie

 

[Rory]

Many thanks to all who contributed to this thread.

MB came back through the dealer to say that they would contribute to the cost of the alternator repair making it worthwhile to leave the car with them to do the job.

Thanks for that - I was somewhat dismayed when MB originally said they wouldn't contribute.

 

[ernieh]

Alternator Probs

Thanks for that - I was somewhat dismayed when MB originally said they wouldn't contribute.

Hi Rory,
Initially MB Customer Services said that there would be no 'good will' contribution. Then later they came back and said that the dealer would be making contact as they had found another way to contribute, which is what happened.

I suspect the contribution came from the dealer's 'keep customers happy money-pot'. At any rate, all's well that ends well!

Ernie

 

[Phil D]

Hi All,
First of all, A very Happy New Year to each and every one of you!

My Son-in-Law has just been quoted £822.92 + VAT to replace a faulty alternator in a C220CDi (60k miles; 1 month out of Warranty; 'no goodwill'). The same car also needs an Air Mass Meter, its second, at £215 + VAT + fitting. The diagnostic time of 1 hour would be waived if they did the repair.

In the good old days, I have replaced the diode packs in many an Allegro, Maxi and Princess's alternator for a fraction of the cost of a new Manufacturers' alternator and could probably do the same for him, except that he lives in Kent and I live in Scotland and I've already been in England twice in the last 3 weeks!

However, I would be grateful if somebody could please advise if diode packs are available for MB alternators and from whom? How difficult is it to get the alternator out of a C220CDi?

For interest, would a good Indy, like Black 55, for example, routinely replace diode packs, assuming this was the problem, or would it be a replacement job? Any indications of cost would be useful.

Many thanks to all who respond, once again.

Regards, Ernie

I'm very relieved that I only saw this post today - late yesterday I would have been suicidal ! - although I'm still quite concerned
Driving home in mine (2 months out of warranty - 46K ) I got my first ever red warning on the display which said "Battery Alternator Visit Workshop" When I got home I switched off and restarted the car and the warning had mysteriously disappeared.
I phoned the merc help people who said if the warning had gone away it was "probably nothing to worry about" but suggested calling or visiting a dealer.
I phoned my local one & they said the most likely cause was the alternator clutch getting wet ( the weather was particularly foul yesterday) causing it to slip and not produce enough charge.
The car is OK again today but does anyone think that the dealer's explanation makes sense?
Having read the post the thought of 800 quid + for an alternator is too horrific to contemplate

 

[television]

You must just drive it and see, your car like mine can through up some funny non plausible code.

see how it goes, and do remember that Bosch can do anything for ½ the MB price

 

[Phil D]

You must just drive it and see, your car like mine can through up some funny non plausible code.

see how it goes, and do remember that Bosch can do anything for ½ the MB price

Thanks Malcolm - as my old Dad used to say - it's just something else to go wrong! the problem with all this electronic wizardry (which is fantastic most of the time) is that we tend to believe it all of the time - hence the panic!

 

[panason1c]

You must just drive it and see, your car like mine can through up some funny non plausible code

As television says, these cars are so electronically complex that you do get the occasional instrument warning blip for no apparent reason......i've had the odd warning light briefly appear and then disappear on my ML over the years.

 

[David Nock]

Hi All,
First of all, A very Happy New Year to each and every one of you!

My Son-in-Law has just been quoted £822.92 + VAT to replace a faulty alternator in a C220CDi (60k miles; 1 month out of Warranty; 'no goodwill'). The same car also needs an Air Mass Meter, its second, at £215 + VAT + fitting. The diagnostic time of 1 hour would be waived if they did the repair.

In the good old days, I have replaced the diode packs in many an Allegro, Maxi and Princess's alternator for a fraction of the cost of a new Manufacturers' alternator and could probably do the same for him, except that he lives in Kent and I live in Scotland and I've already been in England twice in the last 3 weeks!

However, I would be grateful if somebody could please advise if diode packs are available for MB alternators and from whom? How difficult is it to get the alternator out of a C220CDi?

For interest, would a good Indy, like Black 55, for example, routinely replace diode packs, assuming this was the problem, or would it be a replacement job? Any indications of cost would be useful.

Many thanks to all who respond, once again.

Regards, Ernie

I wasn't aware there was a quota on the number of visits you can make from Scotland into England. What a good idea, should help with our 'Legislative Assembly".