M271 Loud idle noise :/
(Most people claim you need to take the alternator off the car to replace the VR).
I got the alt for $200 from rockauto a couple years ago.
I think through all the years I've owned this car (since 2006) I haven't spent more than $500 on parts which also included 3 mounts, a pilot bushing (the trans electrical connector) and a water manifold. Oh I did just replaced a batter after 10 years service (never had a battery lasting that long before!!).
When I did mine, the general opinion was that you need to take the alternator off for both the pulley and the voltage regulator, so I figured might as well replace the whole thang. Hope it lasts a long time, otherwise will replace parts of it only

Regarding the $500 max, just the shocks/struts+mounts will get you into mid-600s

And at your mileage, might be time to look into them. Some folks are known to replace struts at 60k something...
Last edited by VVF; Feb 5, 2016 at 08:34 PM.

In fact, the rear shocks seem more worn.
Probably true on the weather, also maybe the road quality takes its toll. When I was commuting the back roads are pretty beat up here.
100k is like a magic number, as is 10 years... Stuff starts to noticeably deteriorate by then.
I am planning to keep mine a year-two longer, and then probably will look into 2014-ish E250 diesels.
On the other hand, the resale values of w203's are so low now that it might make sense to keep it as an extra vs selling...
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I just had an alternator light come on 2 weeks ago and replaced the voltage regulator. The voltage charges fine at 14.2v but I still got the light. I ended up getting a used alternator from eBay for $80 and it's working fine. I just need to get by till the Summer I think (hopefully that's when the new E body comes out.
Anyways, back to your noise. Does it do it at all speeds or only on high fan?
Actually the old w202's are more valued than old w203's, probably because of somewhat higher quality?
Bearded, I would [remove the blower assy and] apply 12v directly to the motor (bypassing the regulator). Then go from there...
(Might not need to remove it, don't remember if the motor inputs are accessible from below)
That is what I am seeing on craigslist and such, but as we know the asking price is not necessarily the selling price

At less than 3-4k I think I'd rather keep it as an N+1 car instead of selling...
It sounds more or less like this after fire up the engine (I don't know if it's a righ phrase in English, but I meant starting the car
):
Last edited by TH14; Apr 16, 2016 at 10:47 PM.
How many miles do you have on your car?
How much could replacement cost? I know that there are different countries, economies and currency, however I would like to know more or less...
Last edited by TH14; Apr 19, 2016 at 07:35 PM.
I don't think it is a pulley, moreover because Mercedes service said they are fine year ago (I own the car for 2 years and noise exists all the time with the same intense till those 2 years. Unfortunatelly I didn't ask pre-owner from when noise occures) . Maybe I'll check it on my own, but I didn't do that ever before, so I'm a bit afraid of removing the belt. Do you think someone, who has no experience about that, will manage? I'm afraid there is not much free space for amateur like me.
As it is terribly costly to buy and install new lifters and not easy to diagnose to be sure, I thought before spending so much money, time and nerves, before that maybe I could try add to enigne oil some kind of improver like this:
http://www.atu.de/shop/OEle-w5532/Additive-und-Motorzusaetze_w11730/Liqui-Moly-Hydro-Stoessel-Additiv-Motoroelzusatz-300-ml-LM1009
or like that:
http://www.ceramizer.com
What do You think about it? Can it help? Is it safe?
Last edited by TH14; Apr 18, 2016 at 08:14 PM.



