Plodding on with faulty alternator

GeordieGeorge

If it were me and I needed to use it I’d stick it on to charge overnight and then use it as normal. It’ll most likely be completely fine like that for a while, especially if you’re only doing a few tens of miles.

aroominyork

daveyjp said:

BTW OP, your garage are correct.  Changing the alternator on B class is a pain as the subframe and engine need dropping,

mobileron said:

Find a local auto electrician ask him to refurb it.save u loads of cash.  ebay ones from £70.00 full refurbish and warranty.
 

I have zero technical know-how so I wouldn't think of trying to do it myself, tr7phil. And if the engine needs dropping it sounds like having a local electrician refurb it is not an option either? So it seems like either I pay the garage to do it, or I junk the car (which I have no wish to do).

AdrianC

mobileron said:

Find a local auto electrician ask him to refurb it.save u loads of cash.  ebay ones from £70.00 full refurbish and warranty.
 

Meanwhile, the car is on the ramp at the garage with the front subframe removed...

GeordieGeorge

aroominyork said:

daveyjp said:

BTW OP, your garage are correct.  Changing the alternator on B class is a pain as the subframe and engine need dropping,

mobileron said:

Find a local auto electrician ask him to refurb it.save u loads of cash.  ebay ones from £70.00 full refurbish and warranty.
 

I have zero technical know-how so I wouldn't think of trying to do it myself, tr7phil. And if the engine needs dropping it sounds like having a local electrician refurb it is not an option either? So it seems like either I pay the garage to do it, or I junk the car (which I have no wish to do).

Alternators aren’t expensive, and given how annoying / expensive the work is to replace them I’d not bother messing around with a refurbished unit unless cost really was the most important consideration.

That said, some refurbished parts are sold on a replacement basis, as in you send your unit in and they immediately send back one they’d done previously before refurbishing yours for the next customer, so it’s not necessarily much of a delay.

aroominyork

The alternator is £140 - the expensive bit is maybe five hours labour @ £70ph. I would not think of trying to save a few quid with a refurbished part. (Post-repair correction: Alternator £205 + VAT.)

BOWFER

If it's a 2008 B-class, then it's a W245 model.
This thread shows alternator replacement is not an engine drop job.

https://mbworld.org/forums/b-class-w245/670512-how-replace-alternator.html

aroominyork

BOWFER said:

If it's a 2008 B-class, then it's a W245 model.
This thread shows alternator replacement is not an engine drop job.

https://mbworld.org/forums/b-class-w245/670512-how-replace-alternator.html

You are right! Just got it back - no engine drop so 2 hours instead of 5 hours labour.

BOWFER

aroominyork said:

BOWFER said:

If it's a 2008 B-class, then it's a W245 model.
This thread shows alternator replacement is not an engine drop job.

https://mbworld.org/forums/b-class-w245/670512-how-replace-alternator.html

You are right! Just got it back - no engine drop so 2 hours instead of 5 hours labour.

Result!!!