w221 with m278 engine - alternator removal?

[razkal]

Hi all,

I have a late w221 S500 with an m278 engine (4.7 biturbo). Has anybody had experience removing the alternator? Mine is currently faulty leading to the usual issues (red battery light, command shutting down whilst driving, loss of power steering, and various safety systems disabled, etc, etc). I haven’t checked the polybelt but pretty certain it’s not that and the battery charges nicely to 12.6v on the workshop charger.

I can find plenty of instructions for pre-2011 models but not my particular variant.

 

[razkal]

This is my fourth Merc BTW. Started with a 300TE about 15 years ago and never looked back. Done lots of work myself over the years.

 

[Oleks1992]

You may have enough room if you remove engine fan shroud!

 

[razkal]

Yes possibly. Workshop manual says engine needs hoisting and cooling and hydraulic pipes need removing. Has anyone actually done this on this year/variant?