Brothers of The Benz, All
The original alternator on my 1987 300E lasted 12 years and 165,000 miles before failing.
Since that time and 12,000 miles, I have had 4 Mercedes Benz, Bosch rebuilt alternators.
They either failed or lacked output to charge the battery.
All have been replaced under the warrantee.
The one presently in use doesn't charge the battery.
The battery is an Interstate MTP-93, new 5/01.
Every 4-6 days I must charge the battery from an external source.
At discharge level, the sp/gr is 1.005,(dead) and after charging 1.250.
M/B has done a parasite draw test and there is none.
The max output of the present alternator is 11.25 volts and 30 amperes.
The spec is 14.0 volts 28/70 amperes.
All the technicians I've talked to say the rebuilt alternators are junk.
The warrantee on the last alternator expires 10/01.
I'm going to try to negotiate for a new one.
Watch out for wolfs in alternators clothing.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

Bosch rebuilds
 

Hey Spiderman,

I like tottaly agree. Send me into outer space with NEW bosch components and wiring,but don't even think about putting a Bosch rebuilt in anything I own. With 25+ years as an MB mechanic I've experienced the shoddy results. I've taken alternators and starters apart and found cheap bearings,crushed stators, and poor connections. I have a local lady do mine;she has collectors from around the country with extremely high end automibiles sending her components to rebuild. Unfortanately I will be loosing her soon;she just received her master's degree,and will be embarking on a new career.

From The Mouths of Our Juniors
 

Brother of The BenZ, Autozen
These THINGS are the first rebuilt components I've ever used on my 14 year old Benz.
It started while out of town and the only alternator to be found was one of these from The Mercedes Benz Dealer in New Orleans.
So goes the story back to Houston.
Will a new alternator solve my problem?
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

I agree that it is worth it to buy a new one if you plan on keeping the car for a long time. Sometimes you hit the lottery and get a good rebuild,but most of the time they only last for a short time. I had a shop rebuild my last alternator that I brought in,and it lasted six months. They were recommended to me by someone and needless to say I won't be back. They also broke off a bolt that holds the brush holder regulator assembly in and replaced it with a sheet metal screw that fell out.
I kept the core, and will buy the pieces to rebuild the unit myself.

Donald,

I recomend you buy a new one and give it a try. But the likelyhood of multiple bad alternators? Are the techs sure its not something else causing premature failure of the alternators?

For my alternators and starters, there is this great rebuilder in town that i use, i have had him rebuild my stuff and never had a problem since on a couple of my mbs. and hes cheap too, like $30-$50.00. you cant even buy a rebuild at that price. But i dont have any contacts in TX.

Donald,
Is it my imagination or this year has been bad for your car? I noticed you replaced a few things this year...

Donald I have a shop here in LA that muscles up alternators to high amp current flow.

As I mentioned somewhere before. Had my dad's alternator in his rolls rebuilt from 80 amps to 170 amps. It now charges like there is no tomorrow.

The only problemw ith these kinds of rebuilds is that they charge best once the engine is spinning faster than idle, but the thing charges very nicely. with everything turned on in the car, it barely even puts a load on the car now.

Good luck on your quest for the new alternator. Have they checked the regulator?

My father had similar issues with his rolls after the alternator rebuild, and it turned out to be a faulty battery. After we had it changed, the car has not had a problem.

Alon

Donald:

Consider Steve Brotherton's remarks in the following thread. I wonder if your supplier is selling you reworked/undersized alternators? Regards.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/20541-not-enough-juice.html