Alternator replacement

Tiny
PATRICK VETRANO
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C230
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
Hey thanks for taking the time to submit the only alternator guide for my car on the internet. I spent the entire day yesterday replacing my shot Bosch alternator with a new Bosch Duralast alternator.

Before my old one died out I had a ton of power and control over the throttle. If I wanted to launch out of a dead stop I had no issue doing so and now with my new alternator I have zero control over acceleration as it just wants to go like a granny. This concerns me for many reasons but I do not feel safe on the road because I can't even keep up with the slowest car on the road.

It makes a loud whirring sound like a car makes when you slam it in reverse and also can hear a stat-icky rattle coming from the alternator.
What's wrong with my new alternator? I want my supercharged beast back!

Thanks again!
Sunday, April 16th, 2017 AT 1:57 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,256 POSTS
Hello Patrick,

Yep the sound you are hearing is from the new alternator you installed, here is the thing, the old alternator had a one way clutch inside of the pulley which is sounds like the new one does not. There is a special updated alternator that must be installed to make the noise go away.

Try to get one from the dealer or at least the new part number or if you have the old one get it off of that.

As far as the no power issue, please check the rubber boot at the rear of the engine between the intake and super charger. These go out constantly and make the car have no power because it is in limp mode.

Please let us know what happens.

Best, Ken
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Monday, April 17th, 2017 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
PATRICK VETRANO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
So I just destroyed my third serpentine belt in 3 days in a row! The belt keeps coming off the pullys and stripping the ribs idk by this keeps happening :-(((
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Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
One of the pulleys is tipped or turned. Typically that is caused by a bad bearing in an idler pulley, but given the recent history with the new generator, Id expect to find it is not mounted straight. In some cases it is also possible to have a generator with its pulley pressed on too far or not far enough. A pulley off-center by as little as 1/16" will cause a squeal and a shredded belt. The clue is the belt is destroyed on one side.
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Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 AT 10:14 PM

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