I belive the reason for not using a flywheel lock and using a
pulley counterholder was the design of the crank itself.
If I can remember way back to late 96 when I got trained,
the modular (112 V-6 / 113 V-8) use offset or split journal
crankshaft throws. If you looked at them from the side, they look
like two offset O's, or like half an Audi logo. If the flywheel were
to be locked, and 400ftlbs of torque applied to the main crank bolt, the crank shaft could twist or even snap. Seen it done
before. The flywheel lock should only be used when loosening
the flywheel bolts.
That is why the main balancer counterholder tool is soo important.

The torque spec for these is 200nm plus a 95 deg torque angle.
A cheater pipe for the counterholder helps hold it against the frame or body. I use a 24" Snap-On breaker bar to do the job
of loosening and angle of torque.

The flywheel lock still works fine for all older 102,103,104,111,119
120 motors.

Work with care
DR.D

Dr D,
THank you for the answer to the question I asked earlier in this thread. nobody else seemed to know the answer.

Peter,
Auto Zentral Ltd.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

I read through this topic and noticed most of the problems were on the 98 and up models. My question is when did MB start using this harmony balancer on their cars? I have a 86 and 95, should I check mine too?

dt - I don't think you have anything to worry about on the 86 nor the 95.

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Jim

I finally got the crankshaft bolt out, but in the process I made a small 3/8" hole in the case by jaming an 3/8" extension. What is the best way to seal it up?
thanks..

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Tony S....
98 MB E320
85 MB 380SL
01 Subraru Impreza (sold)
04 Toyota Highlander
82 25' W/A Cruisers

To seal the crack in the case? J-B Weld and luck.

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE OCCURS MORE OFTEN ON MODELS WITH FANS ON THE ENGINE AND LESS ON MODELS WITH ONLY THE ELECTRIC FAN.
THANKS

It seems to be a 50/50 split. All the ML's and C280's have had engine fans, all the other cars like E's and CLK's have all had electric suction fans.
However, 75% of these cars were brilliant silver. HMMMMMM.......
May be a conspiracy.

Dr.D

HEY DR DIESEL,
THE SILVER JOKE IS NOT FUNNY. THAT IS THE COLOR OF MY CAR. BUT THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.
DO YOU RECOMMEND REPLACING THE HARMONIC BALANCER EVEN IF IT LOOKS OK NOW. MY CAR HAS ONLY 27K ON IT.
THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL THE INFO

So far all the talk has been about the V6 and V8 engines. Should I be concerned about my 199 E300 Turbodiesel? After all, it is brilliant silver!

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Brilliant Silver is the most popular Mercedes color. I cannot remember the exact statistics of MB's produced with this color, but I believe it is more than 50%.

2 days ago, this happened. Actually the story all too familiar, after reading rest of the posts. clicking sound while wife driving. slowly increased to clucking sound. a big thick rubber ring fell off and started to smell like burned ruber. got it towed to Sun Motor cars, in Harrisburg, PA. After $432.20 , they replaced belt, replaced crank shaft balancer pulley or whatever that is, the center flat face pulley, and told me the the cover the timing chain case or whatever it was, was somewhat eaten up, not too bad. the guys tell me that if it was driven for another 20 miles, it would have punched a hole through. They duidnt tellme about JB weld or any other compound use. They just said, it may eventually leak oil, and then it would be a 18 hours labor and some decent chunk for parts job.

SHAME od MB for having a repeating failuer part to still sell!

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I am an enthusiast but you can't pry money outta my hands... Help me to get to full throttle on the Harmonic Balancer Crank Shaft Pulley RECALL!

SHAME od MB for having a repeating failuer part to still sell!

Given your experience......I understand what you say....and I feel for you....however, I would not expect more.

I bought a 2001 CLK320A just over 2 years ago....and have yet been called by my dealer and/or MB-NA concerning my delivery and/or service experience.....could this have something to do with why MB ranks poorly (i.e. lower than most Ford-GM products in customer satisifation in the recent J.D. Powers survey)? However, the good news is that MB midway among Chrysler products,

Perhaps I'm spoiled.......my prior car was a BMW 3 series and both the dealer and company always called after delivery and/or service visit.

P.S. Had anyone bothered to call....I would have quite a few things to say.

P.S.S

Although I don't expect that I will be called by J.D. Powers.....I do subscribe to Consumer Reports and will voice my concerns/issues in their annual survey,

J D Powers usually contacts buyers of "new" vehicles. I have been contacted by them twice for the purchase of my wife's new 2003 C230K coupe. First contact was for dealer practices and second contact was for the vehicle.

As for the survey on the vehicle, I am not sure how valid of a statement you can make on a vehicle that you have only owned for a month or so.

That is the problem with all of the surveys. It is what you measure and how you measure it. It can have a definite effect on the results obtained. It's almost like accounting in how you present the numbers! Remember Enron!!!