Is this a good Ebay alternator for W123? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

funola · #1 12-19-2010, 08:17 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCEDES-ALTERNATOR-300D-450SL-74-85-120AMP-Diesel-/170574879052?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b70e194c

Mercedes Bosch Alternator Diesel

This alternator is 120 amp, comes with Bosch regluator

, fan and you can use your own pulley

Body is bigger than the original one but fits exactly same place, you need to upgrade plug , it comes with instruction and new terminal

What do they mean "you can use your own pulley? Doesn't it come with it's own double pulley? Anyone used this seller's alternators? Any problems?
My alternator may be on it's last leg. Battery light is flickering and charge voltage fluctuating between 12.9 to 13.4 volts. I am going to check the regulator tomorrow and put another one (with new brushes) in. If that doesn't fix it, I may buy this Ebay alternator if I don't hear anything bad about it..

vstech · #2 12-19-2010, 08:32 PM

standard al129 alternator. not a bad price. yes it fits, yes wiring is needed, and your pulley from your alternator will bolt in place fine.
how well it was reubilt is the question. he has large feedback numbers, and not a terrible rating... 98ish %...
you can get one from most parts yards, from the saab 9000

newtodiesel · #3 12-19-2010, 08:45 PM

Dont you have to really dig to get at the saab one tho?

my123ca · #4 12-20-2010, 12:17 AM

Looks like an overclocked 80amp to me. The photo clearly shows a double pulley. Ask them.

Hit Man X · #5 12-20-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my123ca

Looks like an overclocked 80amp to me. The photo clearly shows a double pulley. Ask them.

It is not, they came with double belts factory. And this one is physically larger.

I have the same unit (from the same seller) on my SD, works great.

funola · #6 12-20-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

It is not, they came with double belts factory. And this one is physically larger.

I have the same unit (from the same seller) on my SD, works great.

Do you know if it's Saab 120 A rebuilt for the Mercedes? How many miles do you have on yours?

SirNik84 · #7 12-20-2010, 06:38 PM

I also got that alternator off ebay. No problems in the last 250miles (ok so i haven't driven it very far

)

one thing that was a bit tricky was the belt size. once i got belts that work, I had to really work them onto the pulleys, and there is not much adjustment. but in the end I think it was worth it.

funola · #8 12-20-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

I also got that alternator off ebay. No problems in the last 250miles (ok so i haven't driven it very far

)

one thing that was a bit tricky was the belt size. once i got belts that work, I had to really work them onto the pulleys, and there is not much adjustment. but in the end I think it was worth it.

Good to hear no problems! Did you tighten the loose nuts?

SirNik84 · #9 12-21-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

Good to hear no problems! Did you tighten the loose nuts?

lol yeah the pic is from when i was test fitting it. Its about 1/2 wider then the stock alternator, and the bracket comes close to the heater hose that is just above it. but it does not touch, so its good to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

How did you have a three terminal connector on an OE 120A alternator, which should have had lugs. If it has the three posts, IMO it is overclocked...

you may be right, the alternator body also looks like the lower amp model, as you can see in the pic the higher amp model has no colored stripe in the middle... this might mean it doesn't have the fitment issues of the higher amp model.

JHZR2 · #10 12-21-2010, 04:28 PM

How did you have a three terminal connector on an OE 120A alternator, which should have had lugs. If it has the three posts, IMO it is overclocked...

funola · #11 12-21-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

How did you have a three terminal connector on an OE 120A alternator, which should have had lugs. If it has the three posts, IMO it is overclocked...

The 3 terminals are on my old alternator. I did say that the new alternator is on it's way, that means I don't have it yet, and I don't know what the wiring arangements are with the new alternator, though the Ebay ad did say "you need to upgrade plug".

JHZR2 · #12 12-21-2010, 08:03 PM

Aaah, misread. Thanks!

funola · #13 12-22-2010, 11:00 AM

SirNik84, was your alternator shipped insured priority mail? Mine is according to the seller (insured for $200). I hope I am not gonna be getting a physically damaged alternator upon arrival where I have to file a claim. I also find it strange that the seller emailed me this:

"this alternator doesn't
come with pulley but did ship it with double pulley for no extra cost"

when the pic in his ad clearly showed a double pulley.

funola · #14 12-24-2010, 05:07 PM

My Ebay alternator arrived this afternoon and I just finished installing it.Took about 2 hours start to finish. The adjuster was bent and mangled and I had to straighten it out. 1/2 hour was also spent trying to "fish" the new alternator from the bottom and up. It seemed impossible and didn't go after 1/2 hr of trying so I jacked the passenger side up with the Mercedes jack (love that jack) and I am not sure if jacking the car up made a difference or I was just lucky but it went without much trying. The new alternator is a bit bigger as can be seen in the pics. The clocking of the terminals was correct and the pulley is a smaller in diameter than the old one,, which made getting the belts on a bit easier. Idle charge voltage is 14.1 volt. The alternator is quiet and comes with a geniune Bosch regulator. Overall I am very satisfied.

Stamped (hole) bracket mounted to new (bigger) alternator

14.1 v at idle

New alternator installed

funola · #15 12-28-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

........1/2 hour was also spent trying to "fish" the new alternator from the bottom and up. It seemed impossible and didn't go after 1/2 hr of trying so I jacked the passenger side up with the Mercedes jack (love that jack) and I am not sure if jacking the car up made a difference or I was just lucky but it went without much tryin.......

In retrospect, I think I was lucky, since jacking the body up should not have made the bottom opening any larger. I should have put a block of wood under the oil pan and jacked the engine up to create a bigger opening between engine and frame. Comments?