Depends on what vehicle and where on the engine it is located. If you're lucky the alternater (like most vehicles)will be on the front of the engine. You have to loosen the belt that travels around the alternator by finding the idler pully or tension pully and loosening it. Once that is done you just disconnect the battery lead to the old alternator, unbolt the mount bolts and remove it. do the reverse to put the new one on. If you end up removing the belt there should be a belt diagram on the inside hood detailing the routing of the belt. It's a good idea to go to the local parts store to find a Chilton's or other manual for your make of car to find more detailed instructions for this project. Best case, this job will only take 30-40 minutes.
unbolt it, take the belt off, take the wires off the alternator and replace with new alternator.
One to two hours tops.
the regulator is inside the alternator and yes you can take the alternator apart and just replace the regulator.
How take off alternator on a E300D
take the belt off the alternator and take out the 3 bolts that hold the alternator to the engine and unplug the wires that plug into it and you have it off.
The alternator is below pipework and fittings and will take a long time to remove - according to my mechanic. Going to do it myself even though it will take me even longer!
About 1 hour
Take it to Mechanic!
of corse
you take it out and put in a new one
No you do not.
In my experience burning out alternators on a Pontiac and an Oldsmobile, you can get about 100,000 miles out of it before expecting to replace the alternator.