Is this a problem on old v8's?
 

I have a 380 sel, and while I havent noticed any problems, I am interested to know if it affected all the v8's, or just the lucky newer ones.

btw, this isnt a lope-like sound, like that of a big-block american v8 is it?


Thanks,

Yo Benzmac..
 

Gentle sirs, a point of clarification. Is the problem limited to the V6 M112, or has it also been a problem on V8 engines? The initial posts specifically reference the V6 of 1998 and newer, until the redesigned balancer appeared in 2000. Is there a problem outside this range, and in which engines is it found?

[No rumblings of an issue with my 560SL but I can't help but notice the question.]

What's up? I just subscribed to this forum after being directed here from a different forum. I too have had the harmonic balancer issue. My occurred during a long road trip about a week and a half ago. I was on the interstate in the rain, and heard a sound coming from the engine. It sounded like the headers had come disconnected from the rest of the exhaust. After that the power steering started going out. I pulled off the interstate, made it to the nearest gas station and then my engine started smoking as I was looking up a repair shop. Right after I cut the car off and popped the hood, a mechanic who happened to be stopped at the same gas station came over and looked at my car. He told me that the harmonic balancer was shot and the car would have to be towed to the nearest MB dealership. This dealership happened to be about an hour or so away. I had the car towed to that dealership, and since this happened on the Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend, they were not going to get to the car until Tuesday. MB had my car for over a week. The harmonic balancer had to be replaced, part of the exhaust (I think the headers), and the oil pan. When I finally got a call from the MB service department, they told me what they fixed and then I started to give him the information to file the insurance claim with All-State (My ML has 57000 miles and is under extended warranty through my insurance). He continued to tell me that MB was going to cover all costs associated with this issue. They are even reimbursing me for the towing costs. When I asked if MB knew about this issue, he timidly responded yes. Needless to say, it was a huge ordeal, and I cannot understand how MB can know about this and just wait for a problem to occur. The mechanic at the gas station who first diagnosed my problem said if I had kept going, the engine could have caught fire. I am very glad to be done with it.

-Brett

Despite what you might be told at a dealer, M-B has been aware of this problem for a while...


"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."

M-B Tech Tips, Dec. 1, 2000, pg. 4.

Right, but tech tips are not printed to ALL techs and......Mercedes has NOT recalled these.

YET.....

Benzmac & all --

Thanks for posting this topic and specific information. I was at Benz today for warranty service and I complained about "noise" and engine "shaking" and mentioned M-B Tech Tips, Dec. 1, 2000, pg. 4. They checked my Crankshaft balancer, said it was still good but replaced it anyway. On their bill they installed part numbers 112-035-08-00 (vibration AB) and 117-078-0145 (hose, plutn c).

They were very nice to me and did this work pursuant to warranty. However, they would never have checked this issue or done this work had I not approached them armed with the information you wonderful people posted.

The engine is much quiter now and does not shake at all.

Thanks,

I think most of the people I know with over 50K on their 98-2000 V-6s and maybe with a ML430 has experienced this. Local dealer offered free part post warranty on the most recent.

Thinking of buying a 98 Wagon. Please keep us advised Benzmac as to "official" outcome/ secret warranty issues.

C43 Harmonic Balancer Failure
 

Bought a '98 AMG last year used from a dealer here in Dallas. The C43 had 42,642 miles. The warranty was just out on the car. One year later, just now, it was due for service and the dealer was nice enough to print out the service history. It seems that at 42,449 mi. (200mi before they sold the car to me), the harmonic balancer failed, taking out the timing cover, and engine oil pan. The pan and timing cover had to be drilled and tapped as part of the repair. The A/C system (condenser removal) had to be taken apart and new drier/ freon etc. installed. Power Steering hose was replaced. The total bill looked close to $2,000.00. This print out was not an invoice duplicate, just a running list of expenses from mile #23.

The engine seems ok now, but it makes me wonder why the last owner dumped the car right after the balancer let go..... just wish I could talk to that guy about that. Regards from flyblind.

Drilled and tapped? HMMMM That sounds fishy.

The parts are readily available.

I just replace the timing cover, oil pan, and bolt and balancer.

I have lost 2 engine balancers on my 98 ml 320 the dealer here in las vegas says its common on the ml 320:confused:

This happened to my 99 ML430 at 50K mi:

Squeeled suddenly and loudly as I pulled into garage, engine vibrated violently. Smelled burned rubber.

Called shop next day, and they knew right away it was the balancer. I started the engine and it ran smoothly. Drove 4 miles to shop.

They found that the balancer was indeed bad, but that it also ate through the oil pan which had to be replaced too. Total cost parts and labor was around $950. (10 hour job !).

The shop foreman said the balancers have improved in design over the past couple of years, and the separation shouldn't happen again. Hope he's right !

can someone take a pic of a failed one next to a new one? perhaps somone that works at a shop or dealer?

benzmac
 

drilled and tapped may refer to a replacement front cover which must be tapped before installation. Comes with holes present but not threaded.

Don't be surprised by the lack of understanding and care on MB's part. After all, it's just bussiness as usual in the corporate world.
Look how long it took for MBUSA to issue the ML p/s clamp recall.
Can't tell you how many subzero days I was on the side of the road replacing a p/s hose clamp.

Yeah, and how bout those early to mid 90's wiring harnesses?
Can you say "lowest bidder"?

Re: benzmac
 

The wiring harness issue is not a question of the "lowest bidder", but rather a case of the environmental wackos temporarily taking over the engineering process. The insulation on the wires was altered to be more easily recyclable, but instead, bio-degraded in the car.

From day one, Mercedes hasn't tapped the front covers.

If you will notice, the bolts that go into the blind holes are not exactly round. Instead, the are slightly triangulated to work as a self tapping bolt that makes its own threads. (To save on cost)