I forgot about this thread. That's bc they treated me real nice & with respect. :D

Couldn't find anybody have same issue as me, even dealer was scratching their head on this one. I thought it was my fault, too much engine degreaser (my engine/bay is spotless).

1st one didn't cost that much (~$300+).

2nd one went up to $800, I complaint...stating even with annual 20% increase does not justify the $800 price tag. They agreed, gave me instant 15% parts & labor discount and 20% parts & labor discount for next service.

3rd one, I didn't even say anything. They told me they'll ship one in direct from Germany (they think it might be a bad batch they had in stock). They offered to charge me for the part at their cost & free labor.

So only when I took my car to this new indi mechanic did I knew I have other option to finally fix this design flaw..even though 25years later. :o

My problem is NOT resolved after all. :mad:

Thought my "ALL metal" vibration damper will not break apart, but seems the stress/vibration is causing the tensioner shock bracket (item #33) to break at it's weakest points. I have already replaced the bracket two times already in a little less than two years.

From my research, it appears they have not only updated/redesigned the vibration damper to an all metal version in 1986, they have redesigned this bracket as well. It is now "L" shaped with a couple of stand offs behind, mounted to the timing cover with two M8x70 bolts.

I don't have access to the EPC, can some one help...190E 1986, 2.3.........
I need to find the part number for this new bracket, it's #32 in the diagram, I also need part numbers for the two stand offs as well.

See last pic, I believe that's what the "L" shape bracket & stand offs looks like, that pic is from a 1986, 2.3 190E.

Found item #32 ("L" bracket), this additional bracket was added in 1986.

On 1985, only item #33 was installed. On 1986, item #33 + #32 was installed.

So I guess MB knew the potential problem, BUT didn't do a recall!

Pics shown items (brackets) #32 + #33.

My thought is that the mounting of the damper is somehow misaligned. That fact that no one else mentions the problem seems to suggest that as well.

The belt spins true. Had this problem since from beginning, I am more inclined to think the motor was not balanced properly at the factory, like hookon210s said. Also, like francotirador said...I been too patient, I should have look into this 10-15 years ago.

I am pretty confident this extra support bracket will help. Even if not, replacing a $35 bracket is lot cheaper than the $1K vibration damper every few years.

Leaving the engine without an appropriate harmonic balancer might cause the crank to CRACK. Which would lead to more catastrophic failure.
In your case, I wouldn't go for a solid harmonic balancer which actually doesn't balance at all.
There is a problem and it's better to solve it, than to mask.
Go for ATI Damper. They are the best stuff on the market. If it'd break, than you really need to look inside and rebalance the crank. Maybe it's some resonance, like the one occurs on Nissan L28 engines at about 7000 RPM which causes the harmonic balancer bolt to torque down.