FYI here's the latest info on the possible recall for the ML from the
NHTSA website, I'm sure it will be to same for the other affected years and models as well, depending on how many owners made a report.

NHTSA Action Number : PE03058 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : MERCEDES BENZ Model: ML320
Manufacturer : MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. Year : 2000
Component : ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Date Investigation Opened : December 17, 2003
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
ODI HAS RECEIVED 35 REPORTS OF ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH M112 OR M113 ENGINES. THE M112 SERIES IS MERCEDES-BENZ'S FIRST EVER PRODUCTION V6 ENGINE AND ITS MODULAR DESIGN ALLOWS IT TO SHARE MANY COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HARMONIC BALANCER, WITH THE M113 SERIES V8 ENGINES. THE M112 AND M113 ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY PROVIDES ACCESSORY POWER VIA A SERPENTINE BELT. THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT ENGINE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE CAUSES LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Please help!!! My balancer # does not match any I have seen in these threads.

I have a 2000 E55, manufactured in 12/99. M113 engine. The part # on my balancer is different than any I have seen on these threads. It is 113 035 01 00 12 01. Could someone please let me know if this is an updated part or one of the original problematic ones? Thank you.

My HB was starting to fall apart on my '99 E320 w/ now 77k miles. I replaced it for $200. I also did it on my dad's '00 E320 w/ 82k miles as preventive maintenance.

One quick question: Was the HB they replaced the updated part? (ie. can they still obtain the older HB's?)

What's the part number of the updated HB?

Thanks

__________________
2003 E55 AMG
2007 FJ Cruiser

I told my friend about the HB problem, and he had cracks on his 2001 E320 sedan. Replaced under StarMark Warranty.

:-) neil

Does anybody have the part number from merecesshop for the engine damper holding tool. I believe it was $110.00...

I am getting ready to replace it. I want to be sure and use all of the right tools.. Thanks...

Peter

__________________
Peter L. House
1998 Sport E430
Azure Blue
110,000k Miles

1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon
V8 Bucket Seats
Factory Moon Roof

Here's DR.DIESEL's post explaining the part number for the tool.

how do you file the complaint if you have the same problem? do you just fill out a completely new form or is there something you have to link to?

I believe you just go here http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Consumer.cfm, click on the File a Complaint tab below the Complaints heading and start doing what it calls for.

I reviewed the complaints on the NHSTA website for 1998 ML320, under "fanbelt/associated pulley failures". I realize that the balancer failure can be reported under other topics and it's not restricted to 98 ML320's. But for all of the complaints here, I CAN'T BELIEVE the complaint I filed with the NHSTA under the above category is one out of only 8 listed. That's pathetic guys if we expect NHSTA to encourage Mercedes to do anything. So if you have a 98 ML320 with the failure (or any other similar-engined model for that matter), and have not registered a complaint with the NHSTA, what on earth are you waiting for?

OK, OK, that's NHTSA

Dealer replaced crank pully with part no. 112-035-13-00 at Service B, approx. 40,000 miles. I did ask that they check that part.

Previously, different dealer replaced V belt at 35,000 miles, but said nothing about crank pully.

Must be all about the dealer?

I just came across this thread via a link on another forum.

For the record (and answer the question several posts back regarding existence of the problem on newer cars), my 2002 ML500's harmonic balancer was showing cracks and was replaced by the dealer during the first "B" service -- about 22,000 miles.

It had not yet progressed to any noticable symptoms -- they found it, not me. So either the dealer's service technician was especially observant, or MB is routinely checking all cars.

MINE FAILED AT 52K MILES ON A 200 C280, LUCKILLY I CAUGHT IT IN TIME AND NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS DONE.

Had Mine replaced Yesterday...CRACKED at only 35k
2000 E320 wagon...So Much for ONLY the early ones.

Was it the -00 part number, or a later one?

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)