Diesel SL - Time for another Road Trip - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mach4 · #31 09-05-2014, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwasser

By the way, I think you of anyone here will appreciate the depth to which my friend went to understand the charging system as he looked in to why his car acted how it did (not much if any indication of charging system failure from the battery light). It shed a lot of light on a lot of items that get discussed in brief on here without much more description.

That's a really excellent description of what's going on in the design and operation of the alternator circuitry.

Thanks for re-posting....

OM617YOTA · #32 09-05-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

Today was a day to head out from Vancouver to Whistler. The drive is absolutely spectacular as the following couple of pictures show.

Above is a YouTube video from the dash cam - Squamish - YouTube

Here's a couple of shots of the SL along the coast road.

Unfortunately we didn't make it past Squamish...

Going through town, I noticed a Canadian Tire store. Having heard a lot about this store on the forums, I decided it would be a mistake to not make a stop and see what the interest is all about. It is indeed a fascinating store.

Unfortunately when I returned to the car there wasn't enough juice in the battery to start the engine. It was indeed fortuitous that I chose too make the stop at Canadian Tire. They were able to determine that the battery was OK and gave it a full charge. We were unfortunately unable to do an alternator test. So looks like I'll be heading back to San Diego without a charging system. I'm not convinced the alternator is bad and I don't have the tools or diagrams available to troubleshoot/fix on the road.

...so that also means that the trip back on 101 is out of the question at this point.

If you make it to Salem, I have a spare 617 stock alternator that you're welcome to, and tools.

Skid Row Joe · #33 09-05-2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

Today was a day to head out from Vancouver to Whistler. The drive is absolutely spectacular as the following couple of pictures show.

Above is a YouTube video from the dash cam - Squamish - YouTube

Here's a couple of shots of the SL along the coast road.

Unfortunately we didn't make it past Squamish...

Going through town, I noticed a Canadian Tire store. Having heard a lot about this store on the forums, I decided it would be a mistake to not make a stop and see what the interest is all about. It is indeed a fascinating store.

Unfortunately when I returned to the car there wasn't enough juice in the battery to start the engine. It was indeed fortuitous that I chose too make the stop at Canadian Tire. They were able to determine that the battery was OK and gave it a full charge. We were unfortunately unable to do an alternator test. So looks like I'll be heading back to San Diego without a charging system. I'm not convinced the alternator is bad and I don't have the tools or diagrams available to troubleshoot/fix on the road.

...so that also means that the trip back on 101 is out of the question at this point.

Too bad your trip is dashed on account of that. The coast drive is a once in a lifetime event to experience, for the uninitiated here reading the about the drive/.

mach4 · #34 09-05-2014, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Too bad your trip is dashed on account of that. The coast drive is a once in a lifetime event to experience, for the uninitiated here reading the about the drive/.

The trip is not dashed...it's a complete success. The real purpose was to come to visit my niece and do family stuff here. The road trip portion is just icing on the cake. We'll be back up here for sure and do many of the things that have been suggested.

In any event it's an adventure and a chance to meet up with forum members along the way.

In driving around chasing parts, came across this nice early MB. Looks nicer in the pic than in person as it has some pretty significant cancer, but still nice to see some vintage MB.

Skid Row Joe · #35 09-05-2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

The trip is not dashed...it's a complete success. The real purpose was to come to visit my niece and do family stuff here. The road trip portion is just icing on the cake. We'll be back up here for sure and do many of the things that have been suggested.

In any event it's an adventure and a chance to meet up with forum members along the way.

In driving around chasing parts, came across this nice early MB. Looks nicer in the pic than in person as it has some pretty significant cancer, but still nice to see some vintage MB.

I see. Enjoy the drive.

mach4 · #36 09-05-2014, 09:40 PM

Well, got the alternator problem solved. Turned out it was indeed the voltage regulator... probably the brushes. I was able to source a Bosch one at the local NAPA for a small fortune. But at least I can make the trip back without worry.

Kind of a strange wear pattern, which leads me to believe that I'll probably need to replace the alternator or get this one turned to prevent the brushes from prematurely wearing. I couldn't see anything regarding the condition with the alternator in the car, so when I get home that will be a new project.

I'll definitely be carrying a spare regulator from now on - lesson learned.

uberwasser · #37 09-05-2014, 11:17 PM

Good news. Enjoy the rest of the journey!

EDBSO · #38 09-06-2014, 02:51 PM

Something about the west coast.
In Seattle over 2,800 miles from home the alternator went out on my '99 E300 and it cost a King's ransom as I had to use the dealership as the usual parts stores only had stock that had to come from the other coast.

Typically it went out without and warning!

I understand the relief on being able to continue your trip, enjoy and keep the photos coming.

mach4 · #39 09-07-2014, 12:35 AM

Now on the outbound leg of the trip. Decided to forgo the 101 scenic route this time and just head home, pedal to the metal. Got as far as Redding logging a bit over 700 miles. Only one fuel stop today and for the portion of the trip from Bellingham, Vancouver, the run up to Squamish and then back down to almost Salem, OR yielded 33.9 mpg over a leg of 560 miles.

Took time out from driving to link up with OM617YOTA for a cup of coffee at his home base in Salem Oregon and compare our swaps. His is real engineering and fabrication whereas mine is close to a bolt-in. Fun times to talk about our various solutions.

Here are the two swaps...

Although I didn't need it, I want to publicly thank OM617YOTA for the generous offer of an alternator to fix my non-charging system and the tools and help to install it.

mach4 · #40 09-07-2014, 12:47 AM

After crossing back into the US we headed south on I-5 across Washington state and into Oregon over the Columbia river.

While not 101, the scenery is nonetheless beautiful in places.

On the outbound leg, Mt Shasta was completely obscured by smoke from a lingering forest fire, but today is was completely visible for miles and miles.

This is the SL shot I was hoping to get coming up, but it was well worth the wait to get one today.

Of course one of the joys of a road trip is coming across the completely unexpected. People are so creative and innovative with their projects, it's a real pleasure.

Skid Row Joe · #41 09-07-2014, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDBSO

Something about the west coast.
In Seattle over 2,800 miles from home the alternator went out on my '99 E300 and it cost a King's ransom as I had to use the dealership as the usual parts stores only had stock that had to come from the other coast.

Typically it went out without and warning!

I understand the relief on being able to continue your trip, enjoy and keep the photos coming.

The MB dealership shouldn't be that out-of-line in parts pricing, in my experience anyway. Unless you're including some of their labor rates? It may be a good idea to carry an alternator for your car when road-tripping out of town, if your pricing is that much better.

As far as preventive parts R&Ring goes, an alternator/regulator would be up for consideration on my list of possibles to replace before a road trip. Especially on a very old car/components. A little prevention is worth hundreds or thousands in road-breakdowns.

I carried jackstands/hydraulic jack, various maintenance parts, and a few key tools and provisions when out in my very used 83 300SD many years ago. They came in handy on one or two particular occasions too!

uberwasser · #42 09-07-2014, 12:57 AM

Re-manufactured alternator -

"Ultima" brand from O'Reilly auto w/ lifetime warranty - $90

Bosch from AutoHa** - $140

Mercedes part - $300

A bit out of line.

And that's if they don't bait and switch and try to charge more than list price at the counter, knowing you're desperate for the part, like my local dealer does...

Skid Row Joe · #43 09-07-2014, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwasser

Re-manufactured alternator -

"Ultima" brand from O'Reilly auto w/ lifetime warranty - $90

Bosch from AutoHa** - $140

Mercedes part - $300

A bit out of line.

And that's if they don't bait and switch and try to charge more than list price at the counter, knowing you're desperate for the part, like my local dealer does...

If you want to use el cheapo components on your car, I guess that's what you like to use...

They don't hold up to long enough duty cycles to even make them worth using though. BTDT...... YMMV

EDBSO · #44 09-07-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

The MB dealership shouldn't be that out-of-line in parts pricing, in my experience anyway. Unless you're including some of their labor rates? It may be a good idea to carry an alternator for your car when road-tripping out of town, if your pricing is that much better.

As far as preventive parts R&Ring goes, an alternator/regulator would be up for consideration on my list of possibles to replace before a road trip. Especially on a very old car/components. A little prevention is worth hundreds or thousands in road-breakdowns.

I carried jackstands/hydraulic jack, various maintenance parts, and a few key tools and provisions when out in my very used 83 300SD many years ago. They came in handy on one or two particular occasions too!

From my experience of parts that failed on road trips you should carry glow plugs, oil cooler, aux fans and aux fan controller, alternator and the associated tools and gaskets and code readers (it should all fit in the trunk if you put the luggage in the back seat)

OM617YOTA · #45 09-07-2014, 05:13 PM

Thank you Mach4 for taking time out of your travels. It was great meeting you and your lovely wife. I'm happy to help out a traveler in need when I can.

For those of you who haven't seen Mach4's SL, it is truly a work of art - it looks factory. Mercedes themselves would be proud.