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  #16  
Old 05-10-2011, 02:02 AM
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On the road again almost $900 lighter, but happy.

I have WI-FI again so update.

The bearings were obviously shot. Moving back and forth in the housing. The belt would be thrown soon or bearing seized or armature kissing the housing soon. All the replacement parts I could find were 3 to 4 days out from the other coast so I ended up at the dealer.

Just short of $900 new (rebuilt) alternator and new belt and I was on my way at noon to Portland and down the PCH to Crescent City tomorrow.

It could have been much worse, stranded in the middle of no where. No alternator, thrown belt which could take out the plastic fan and even the rad. So while it was a big bullet to bite it could have certainly been worse.

Heartfelt deep thanks to all for advice, offers of aid both here on the forum and by PM. Thanks again!

If ever I can help anyone here just ask...

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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250
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  #17  
Old 05-10-2011, 08:07 AM
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Nine hundred dollars for what you received is just disgusting. It's too bad you didn't check back here after you asked for help as there were plenty of offers. One person was even near you with an alternator in hand.

I understand what your dilemma was, but once you asked for help hereon you should have at least given it a try. I just hate seeing someone spend that kind of money for parts and work that should cost a fraction of that. I'd say $600 was needlessly wasted. Shoot me if you like.
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  #18  
Old 05-10-2011, 08:14 AM
Craig
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Glad to hear you got it sorted out and are back on the road. Enjoy your trip.
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  #19  
Old 05-10-2011, 08:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leathermang View Post
Superman Mike ( needs a wagon ) rides to the rescue..

This brings up a good point... TomW in MI missing wheel lugs posted HIS phone number in his first post asking for emergency help...

That would be the logical thing to do for really fast help....

But Mike was nice enough to post his.... hope the OP checks back soon...
This brings up an interesting point.
Maybe our mod may like to comment on.
Is it possible to when posting your number, to only have logged on members able to read it. We have no idea who lurks on the net looking for information.
I dont believe that members only info can be googled by non members. Maybe an alternate would have been to put the number in your profile as I think only members can go there.
What do others think?

Its great to see that the OP got his car going without too much delay & even though it cost much more than most on here would have been prepared to pay, we dont know all the details & so if he is happy then all is good.
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1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #20  
Old 05-10-2011, 08:53 AM
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You took Craig's advice, good you're back on the road.. Can you give us a breakdown on the parts an labor? Even if the dealer came to tow your car, I can't see how it can be $900.
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  #21  
Old 05-10-2011, 10:14 AM
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I can easily see $900 dealer issue.
dealer would charge list for the alt... over 400.00
dealer would charge maximum rate for labor, likely 2.5 hours
and dealer would charge 140-165/hour...
lets add this up.
465 for alt, with tax at 9% comes in at 506.85
2.5 hours at 165/hour... 412.5
919.35
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  #22  
Old 05-10-2011, 11:17 AM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vstech View Post
I can easily see $900 dealer issue.
dealer would charge list for the alt... over 400.00
dealer would charge maximum rate for labor, likely 2.5 hours
and dealer would charge 140-165/hour...
lets add this up.
465 for alt, with tax at 9% comes in at 506.85
2.5 hours at 165/hour... 412.5
919.35
Sounds about right for a dealer.

It's nice to save a few dollars when you have time to screw around with a car at home. When you are traveling, it's usually best to just get it fixed as quickly as possible. BTDT.
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  #23  
Old 05-10-2011, 02:53 PM
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Well, you're back on the road -- that's good! For those who want to avoid that $900 expense, though, a few things are worth trying. I was able to hear the alternator going out on mt Jetta recently. It wasn't screeching, but was making a bit of a rumble sound. Simply slipping the belt off and feeling the pulley didn't indicate THAT much abnormal play, but spinning the pulley sure made a racket. It sounded like the bearings were falling apart; definitely louder than a new alternator.

Anyway, it's well worth popping the belt off and checking that stuff out. Most battery specialist places will also rebuild alternators (or they'll know who can, anyway), and most of your chain stores can get almost any alternator overnight. I shopped around and found one online with no core charge for about half of what it would have cost at the cheapest chain store. Since I had the luxury of letting the car sit for a few days, I went that route.
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  #24  
Old 05-10-2011, 09:52 PM
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LOL it is cheaper to buy one of the Rebuilt Alternators on ebay (before you go on a long trip) that you can buy with no exchange and keep that extra Alternator in your trunk than it is to go to the Dealer.
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  #25  
Old 05-10-2011, 10:02 PM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel911 View Post
LOL it is cheaper to buy one of the Rebuilt Alternators on ebay (before you go on a long trip) that you can buy with no exchange and keep that extra Alternator in your trunk than it is to go to the Dealer.
Should I also carry an extra starter, injection pump, and transmission?

I do carry an extra voltage regulator.
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  #26  
Old 05-10-2011, 11:10 PM
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Orv Orv is offline
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I always ask myself what I'm realistically going to want to replace myself, while sitting on the side of the road in the rain. The answer is usually "not much." Shops generally don't want to install customer-supplied parts, so there's not much sense in carrying parts you're not prepared to change on the spot.
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  #27  
Old 05-10-2011, 11:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Orv View Post
I always ask myself what I'm realistically going to want to replace myself, while sitting on the side of the road in the rain. The answer is usually "not much." Shops generally don't want to install customer-supplied parts, so there's not much sense in carrying parts you're not prepared to change on the spot.
I guess I was speaking for myself.
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  #28  
Old 05-11-2011, 12:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig View Post
Should I also carry an extra starter, injection pump, and transmission?

I do carry an extra voltage regulator.
Unless a Starter some how locks itself to the Ring Gear a not working starter will not damage anything else; an Alternator with a bad Bearing if continued to be use has a chance of doing that. (But, a used working Starter in the Trunk could be a comfort to have.)
If the Alternator shreds the Belts you have no Water Pump Working and that is serious.

To carry a transmission is ridicules due to the size and amount of other stuff you would need to change one on the Road; and since the used Transmission on a Mercedes seems like it is more likely go bad than the Fuel Injection Pump there does not seem to be a need to have a spare Fuel Injection Pump in the Car. (In my case I have a spare IP and I could certainly bring it if I wanted to.)

The real question is; is a person playing "Russian Roulette" with his Bank Account when he takes his Old Mercedes on a long trip away from the resources that keep the Car running at a resonable cost.

I try not to drive mine further than the AAA will Tow it for free back my House.
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  #29  
Old 05-11-2011, 12:19 AM
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The nasty details . . .

Alternator $743.68
Core return $-56.00
V belt $65.52 It was only natural to do the belt at the same time.

Discount 1 MB Club labor $-19.55
Discount 2 MB Club Parts $-75.32

Labor 1.7 $195.50

Shop, Haz waste $9.86

Easy smooth ride to Crescent City down PCH today

Tomorrow PCH tp Napa/Sonoma

For me, under the circumstances I did the right thing. Around home and it would be a DIY job. What can you do?
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1999 Mercedes E300TD daily driver sold at 238K miles 106K miles were mine, rust worm got it :-(
2006 Mercedes CDI new daily driver! 56,000 miles May 2016 now 85,625 Apr 2018 and Apr 2019 101,000 miles Apr 2020 109,875. March 2024 135,250
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  #30  
Old 05-11-2011, 03:05 AM
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