As a result of what I learned on this board, on my '98 ml320, which has 81,000 miles, MB is paying for a ring job to cure the excessive oil consumption. While the car has been in the shop waiting for a part from Germany I requested a courtesy repair of the balancer, even though it appears OK. MB said no, but agreed to do the fuel filter retrofit at no charge. Since my wife really loves the vehicle, I plan to keep it for several more years and thus I have decided that its better for me now to pay for the parts and replace the balancer & bolt (about $100.00), as well as replace the belt tensioner, serp belt, engine mounts & plugs, since they will need replacement shortly anyway and the engine is open. The dealer is charging me about 1 hour labor for this extra work. The dealer said by doing the ring job, & whatever else is being done for the excessive oil consumption, MB is providing me about $5-6000 of work. I think MB & the dealer are being pretty fair & that this is a good deal for me. Any comments?

If you are getting all that extra stuff done for only one hour of labor extra, you are getting one hell of a deal.

heres what it look like
 

Here is the photo of the defective Harmonic Balancer I discovered yesterday (Probably an extreme case). I guess I know What I'll be doing in the morning. I'm wondering if the same dealership that missed the fact that I had two broken coil springs a few months ago might have missed this as well.
I'll see if MBUSA will replace it free but I doubt it.
This car (a 1998 C280) my wife drives has been a dog at 58000 miles its had 4 fuel sensors,one instrument cluster,one climate control unit,a Mass Airflow sensor,Two front coil springs and Ball joints and now a HB
BOb

1. Check.

2. Check.

3. My ML had less then 30k at the time it was replaced.

A friend of mine just told me that there is now a voluntary recall on these things now.

Does anyone else know anything about voluntary fix for Harmonic/Crankshaft balancer. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Maybe one of the MB techs might know? Thanks so much for a wonderful forum.

Any recall or campaign is news to me. We usually get word months in advance to ramp up on parts supply.
Kinda like the 15 ML p/s clamps I did today..sigh.

Thanks for the reply. Guess i won't hold my breath. Think this forum is getting into my brain, but with all the talk of H/B failures on v6 engines, i get a little crazy. My 1999 C280 sport with 19k runs out of factory warranty the 23rd of this month. Wish i new when the updated balancers went into effect. My car was manufactured late April of 99. Again thanks for the info Dr. Diesel

THERE IS NO RECALL!!!! I STATED THIS BEFORE.

IN SOME CASES, THE DEALER IS HELPING OUT CUSTOMERS.....


NOT A RECALL


YET!

Got one today. 1999 E430 sport. 50,007 miles. Warranty expired
yesterday. Poor guy, The balancer spit out the rubber ring and chewed through the t-case. The client stated "well, I thought I heard something, but I just turned up the radio." HHMMMM......
Luckily for him, MB was kind enough to pick up the whole tab
because we asked nicely.
DR.D

I have 1999 e320 with 33K miles and freshly out of warranty. I was working in the yard when I heard this loud noise from a car driving up the block. I t was my wife with the radio blasting and no clue what was going on. Towed the car to the dealer (first time at this dealer) yesterday and today I found out that it needs a new timing chain/cover and oil pan. But I guess I am lucky since the dealer told me that MB agreed to pay the entire bill.

Hi Sterling! (funny meeting you here!) -

Would you like to see one from my '80 928 S Euro? LOL!

- michael
928TrackCars.com

Well Michael, there is no telling where I might turn up.

Sterling
1990 Cognac S4 6.4 Liter VarioCam 5spd
http://www.928sg.com

CAUGHT ONE.
 

Got one today, had a horrible idle, felt like a dead hole.
Balancer wobbling all over.
1998 C280. 71K.

Here was the break down.
112-035-08-00 Balancer updated $95.76
006-990-70-04 bolt $ 4.79
023-997-84-47 Main oil seal $17.50
labor charge of 1.6 hrs @ $95hr $152.00
--------------
Total to client $270.05
Not killing your timing cover PRICELESS

DR.D;)

Re: CAUGHT ONE.
 

I wish there are more Tech like yourself. FAIR PRICE and on the lookout.

Qustion Dr. D

I am goign to change my Crankshaft Balancer on Monday.
I am changing this as a preventative meaasure.

How come you changed the BOLT. do I need to change mine as well.

Also, do I need to lookout for anything different. Also, changing the Motor mount L R.
I want to make sure this mechanic does it right on these 3 items.

Thanks

Like most MB engine bolts, the crank bolt uses a strech shank and
has a maximum service measurement. when you are dealing with torques of around 400+NM, I tend to replace these things.
Just like steering wheel bolts, why chance it to save $4?
Make sure your guy uses the correct balancer counter holding tool! If not, and he uses a flywheel lock or ring gear cheater,
you can bend or even break these crankshafts.
It takes the correct tool to hold these when loosening and torquing. PN# 112 589 00 40 00.
The torque is very important also.
step 1 ----- 200nm
step 2 ----- 95 degree angle of rotation.

Motor mounts are self explanitory.
Good luck.
DR.D

I HAVE A 1999 E320, SHOULD I REPLACE BALANCER NOW BEFORE IT FAILS OR JUST KEEP AN EYE ON IT. IT LOOKS OKAY NOW. DOES IT JUST FAIL OR WILL IT SHOW SIGNS BEFORE GOING BAD. THE CAR ONLY HAS 26K ON IT NOW. THANKS

1999...

I heard they fixed the problem in late 1998, see below.
I am sure DR. Diesel can put some input on it.

The rubber ring ( approx. 10-12mm wide ) near the circumference of the pulley is the problem. Prior to complete failure there is usually a noticable wobble of the pulley which can be seen with the engine running at idle.

"Group 3 - M112 & M113 crankshaft balancers that fail should be replaced with part number 112 035 08 00 or 112 035 09 00.

Improved balancers entered production as of engine end number 661775 for V6 and 166563 for V8."

Thanks Merc1. Hope Dr.D. is reading. My C280 was manufactured april 99. I'm already breathing easier.

So when you say "Improved balancers entered production as of engine end number 661775 for V6 and 166563 for V8."

You are refering to the last 6 numbers of the "11394460007935" number that is listed on my NETSTAT VMI printout for my 1999 AMG C43 manufactured on 5/7/1999?

That would mean that I have the bad part even though the car wasn't produced until May?
Thanks

Sweating with 55k miles....

Problem Fixed.

Changed the motor mounts, and runs great.

Also changed Crankshaft balancer as a precaution, noticed rubber was warped in the back. Whoow. Relief. Also, recommendation from Dr, Diesel, I also changed the bolt.

Another one in the shop today. 1999 Ml 320 with the belt slung off and balancer blown.

CUSTOMER COMPLAINT??? LOSS OF POWER STEERING!

Engine is out. We are replacing the front timing cover and upper oil pan.

I have a copy of the power steering clamp recall. What a joke. Mercedes states they are concered for our saftey.

IF this is the case? Why have they not done the balancers?????

If everyone who has had this failure reported it to http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Consumer.cfm then maybe there would be an offical recall like with the power steering clamp on the M Class. :D

Ok we have a 99 SLK230 and a 98 C280 should I go ahead and replace the org crank pullies with the updated parts?

112-035-08-00 Balancer updated $95.76
006-990-70-04 bolt $ 4.79

NP

is the engine number stamped on the egine somewhere easy to see or is the engine number derived from the VIN#?

The SLK 230 is not a V6 or V8, so it wouldn't be affected.

Can any of the techs confirm that the problem was fixed in late 1998 and that cars manufactured in 1999 with the engine numbers that Merc1 stated in his earlier post have the updated balancer.:confused:

It was the 2000+ cars that had the updated part. It is engine #
specific to be 100% accurate however. I have repaired several late 99's that have had faulty balancers.
1998's are definately subject to this problem.
DR.D

Thanks Dr. Diesel, i have a 1999 C280 manufactured May99. The car has 20k on it,but the rubber is starting to show tons of fine cracks. Not worried about the mileage but about a car that just went out of warranty last week. I think i'll replace it just to be on the safe side. Thanks for all of your great knowledge in this forum.

I'm going to change it myself. Is there any other tool i could use other than the $150 Assenmacher holder> I hate to spend that much but i don't see any other options.Thanks

Baum Tools (Sarasota, FL) offers the required tool for less. You'll have to call for additional info.. their web site is only partially finished.

Either way, get the tool - it makes the renewal quite simple.

But the C280 is.

NP

What we have found is that the 112-035-00-00 are the only balancers that fail. Any later part such as the 112-035-05-00 and the 06-00 and so on are OK.

The best way is the bump over the engine a little at a time and you will see the number on the rear portion of the balancer.

PS....I have been thinking of sending Merc a box of the balancers every time one fails.


HMMMMMM....A picture is worth a thousand words though.

This is how the 112 035 00 00 looks, viewed from above:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/1120350000.jpg

BTW, no pic available in the FastLane shop? Part A2210-116347 for $70.68.

A picture of a box of balancers??? How about a pallet of timing covers?!

I was at a dealer recently... while in the back, the parts guy shows me a stack (19 in all) of timing covers waiting to be returned to MBNA, under warranty... all damaged by failed balancers.

To which the parts guy states: "I don't know why we have to send them back. Its not like NA doesn't know why they failed."

Thanks Wolfgang! Pulled the engine cover on my ML430 and mine is a #112 035 00 00. Wonder if the dealer will replace it under warranty? I've got about 1500 miles left on it. :eek:

Alan, have the dealer check the balancer before the warranty is out.

I have been visually checking my balancer on a regular basis since I found this thread. Yesterday when I started my car, I had a vibration at idle as I started the car, and when I would place the car in gear and hold the break down. reverse is more noticeable than drive. I had a friend start the car with the hood open and I don't see any wobling of the balancer but I feel pretty certian it is the balancer. I'm pretty in tune with my cars, and can usually tell when something is a little off. My car is a 98 e430 with about 62K on it.. I plan on calling the dealerships in the area tomorrow to see which one is the most consumer frendly, and I may just replace it myself, to rule it out so I dont get stranded somewhere.

any suggestions?

Sterling

98 e430
90 928s4 6.4 liter with VarioCam
http://www.928sg.com

While your balancer may or may not be bad, the conditions you describe of a vibration at idle sound just like the characteristic symptoms of motor mounts that are worn out.

The motor mounts appear to be ok, as the engine slightly rocks back and forth at startup. I'm thinking if the HB is adding more vibration than the mounts were designed to handle they would probably just transfer the vibration to the frame of the car.

2000 ML320 Crankshaft Balancer
 

I just checked the part number on my 2000 ML320 and it is 112 035 00 00. I guess I have one that is problematic, but so far it still appears in good condition. However, I only have 37,000 miles on the vehicle so far. This vehicle was an early build 2000 model so I guess they were still using the original design on some 2000 models. I think I will try to get part updated before it goes out of warranty in October. If they won't replace it before it goes bad, I will at least get it documented before it goes out of warranty.

It is hard to believe that Mercedes just does not replace all of these "old style" balancers to save them the costs associated with the tow, replacement of the timing cover and oil pan and inconvenience to the customer when it fails at an inopportune time. I pity the poor Mercedes customer who relies exclusively upon the Mercedes and the dealers service department to keep their relatively new vehicles trouble-free.

I still have not taken my ML 320 in for the power steering hose clamp recall but have checked the hose in question and found the clamps to be only slightly loose probably due to compression of the rubber hose over time. Hose clamps apprear to be fine and I tightened them until I take it in for the next FSS servicing. Hopefully, Mercedes will "Wise Up" and issue another recall for the balancers so that I can get all of these issues resolved during one visit.

Happened to me on the freeway ,5 lanes of traffic ,80mph, & suddenly no power. Service advisor stated they see about one a mo. . He would try yo get MB to cover parts since it was out of warranty(65k).

They did not.I complained to the area Rep. about how unsafe the ML was w/ this faulty part. The response I got was a nice letter from MB's lawyers stating what a fine , quality autombile Mercedes is,and that they have not seen any recurring problems w/ that particular part. Total lawyer BS.

I filed w/ the NHSTB.......

Duke,

Good for you. I would even think of printing out these pages and sending to them for backup.

My balancer went out on my 2000 S500 at 40,000 miles. Took out the lower and upper oil pan per the MB tech. It must have been the old design. They should recall these things!

I narrowed my vibration down.... I used a mechanics stethiscope to rule out the power steering and other possible sources. the sound could be classified as a hum, and vibration can be felt throught he steering wheel only @ idle. Which is the description in the japanese recall. For those of you that are tech's does this sound right?

I called the local dealer who gave me an estimate of $320 including tax to do the balancer, bolt and front seal. They are even throwing in a loaner car. So it is scheduled for tomorrow morning and they say I would have it back the same day.

Dr. D,

Where did you get the info about bending or braking the crank? I find that very alarming if you are correct. I have and use the MB tool that slides into the ring gear teeth after you remove the starter. I have used the tool for years on earlier production engines, because it works well and has an MB part # on it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you are correct, Mercedes has slid along way down in quality. It used to be that if an engineer designed something that required 5 bolts, the Germans would put 2 more in and Detroit would leave 2 out.


Peter

I was concerned about this as well. what is the torque requirement for this bolt? Since the crank handles almost 300 ft lbs of torque in normal operation, Unless the torque for the bold is much higher I would think that a crankshaft should be able to handle the torque. Are these forged crankshafts or cast?

The bolt on mine was frozen tight. I tried using a 3/4" drive 600 ft lb air impact gun to remove the bolt, and it would not budge it. I was concerned about damaging the crank also, since the bolt was so tight. Call me a caveman, but I used a chain type pipe wrench wrapped around the harmonic balancer (where the serpentine belt rides) and a 4' cheater bar, and it worked like a charm

Called the 1-800-FOR-MERC Customer Service Rep today and asked if he knew about the harmonic balancer problem. He said no and that all he had heard about was the power steering clamp problem on the ML's. I've got an appointment next Thursday for the dealer to check mine out before the warranty runs out. Think I'll have it done wheather or not its covered.
Like Sterling, I'd rather do it now than wait for a major problem when you least expect it. Just my 2 cents worth! ;)