I have the car at the dealership, supposedly the harmonic balancer is falling apart again.

Car is a 2001 e430 with 40,500 miles.

I had the harmonic balancer replaced under warranty in November of 2003, with 23,700 miles:

112-035-13-00 Vibration AB
006-990-70-04 Screw

Questions:

1. Was the Nov 03 replacement the updated part?
2. Is this part still the most updated part? I see newer part numbers in other threads here.
3. Has anyone experienced a failure with the updated part - in other words, had to replace their harmonic balancer twice?
4. The dealer is balking at replacing this, how do I go about escalating this issue (he's not listening when I said this is a known problem with these cars).

Thanks for all your help!

The harmonic balancer on my 2000 E430 is original, it never changed. Is this a recall part from Mercedes Benz ?
Actually, I don't know what is this part and what does it do. What will happen if I do not change it ?

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'00 E430 Brilliant Silver/Ash

You must've missed this thread:

It's official. Harmonic Balancer Service Campaign released 4/5/05

The recall covers all V6 and V8 engines from 1998 through the middle of 2000.

There is a specific cutoff point by VIN #.

It might be in the thread, but if you take your car to the dealer, they'll be happy to tell you.

You should take your car in anyway. There is also a free service campaign they are carryout where they add extra sealant to the doors.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

There have been 6 versions of the front "balancer" on NORMAL (not AMG) versions of the M112/113 engines! Started with 112-035-00-00...from there there has been 112-035-05-00, 112-035-06-00, 112-035-08-00, 112-035-09-00, 113-035-13-00 & now 112-035-13-00-05...

SERVICE campaign covered replacement of 112-035-00-00 & 112-035-06-00!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Shame on Daimler-Chrysler. Using customers as a test bed for their products. It's all a myth, that Mercedes quality.

I got a new balancer at the dealer yesterday after my indie, while replacing the multirib belt, noticed cracks in the balancer (112-035-08-00) I had had the dealer install in 2003 as a result of the postings here prior to the campaign (I got reimbursed after the campaign). The dealer sold me part number 112-035-14-00, for only $42.50, which my indie replaced today (sunday) since i wouldn't wait 2 weeks for a dealer appointment. I find it interesting that in November when I responded to the campaign the dealer noted that the 0800 balancer was not the part number to be replaced and did nothing; there was no notation of any cracks at that time.

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87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

The 112-035-14-00 replaces ALL earlier numbers on that campaign..

ONLY the 112-035-00-00 & 112-035-06-00 are covered numbers!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator