UGH...Alternator went...belt too
 

First, thanks to WHunter for answering my earlier post re the radio vs accelleration whine...you were right!

I was driving our "new to us" 190D 2.5 on Thursday and heard a kind of whoosh/dragging kind of noise. I thought it might be the heater fan, so I turned the heater off. still heard the noise...then the battery light came on...then just as I got into town and started to slow down the car started shaking and bucking...I thought it might be prudent to pull over. Upon opening the hood and looking inside I can see the pulley (round object on the front of the alternator) has broken/come loose and the serpentine belt broke too. On the bright side, the tow driver was VERY impressed when I opened the hood--he said it was one of the cleanest diesel engines he's ever seen. (this is a one owner car w/169000 miles :) I have all the records too)

QUESTIONS: can the pulley be tightened up (new bolt?) or am I going to need a new alternator? Is there a trusty/reliable place to purchase (online) an alternator?

also...does anyone know a good diesel mechanic in Stockton/Sacramento California? or even Jackson/Sonora/Angels Camp...I know I'm dreaming :) I do have some book learnin' in mechanical escapades, but since my '65 Bug died back in high school (a "few" years ago) I've not had a chance to practice the art of wrenching.

Can anyone recommend a good source for purchasing the Mercedes Manual (the one now only available on CD)?

Luckily we have two other diesels, so the withdrawals won't be toooo bad...I was really starting to like the 190D.

THANKS!
Cathy

MB Parts
 

I am in Indiana and while I sell MB parts the shipping costs for a alternator would be kind of silly. I can get you a good alternator and including shipping for 60 dollars. You can probably get a lifetime alternator from Autozone or a competitor for 130 dollars where you live. If you buy one of their rebuilts be sure and get life of the car warranty. Good luck and you and a friend can remove and install replacement. Jim

Probably need to replace the sheave on the alternator at least, probably the alternator. Check FastLane of a price, and check around for an automotive alternator repair shop in your area -- they can fix you up probably for the same or less, with a local warrenty.

You do need to know why it failed, too!

Belt change is a pain on this car, very little clearance up there. You may need to remove the fan and clutch to get the radiator shroud out of the way.

Peter

190D Alternator/Pulley problems
 

I've been researching for the last couple of days, and I've found not too much info on "why" an alternator pulley would "break/come loose"...I am trying to resolve this question before we go willy-nilly replacing stuff and have the same problems.

Is it possible that the bolt could have been left loose by a previous person working on it? Is it possible for it to come loose by itself? Would the loose pulley possibly have caused the whine noise in the radio on accelleration? or is the whole alternator probably bad? Why is there such a price difference in alternators? I've seen anywhere from $75 to $319. The $75 was "rebuilt". Not sure about the others. The $319 is the "local" shop that specializes in European motors--he says the alternator is Bosch and is rebuilt BY Bosch (not in Mexico?). He also said he may be able to just replace the pulley if the alternator tests ok..is this a good idea? Not sure if/when the alt was replaced before.

as always, any info is appreciated!

THANKS,
Cathy

Is it possible that the alternator "jammed" internally and the sudden stoppage ripped the pulley off and broke the belt? I have seen that happen, in which case the alternator is history. If the alternator is original, I would replace it on principle, anyway, with a Bosch rebuild. Beware of the cheap rebuilt units!! $319 is the list price for the Bosch alternator. You can buy it online for less than half that price, delivered.
You really need to identify the cause of the failure.

Answers:
 

Hello 3Diesels
It is possible that the bolt was left loose by a previous person working on it. It is possible for it to come loose from vibration.
No, the loose pulley will NOT cause the whine noise in the radio on acceleration.
I can't guess at the price difference in alternators without more data.
If it rotates, replace the pulley and regulator.