Here is my story:
I was traveling about 55 miles from home in NJ when i started loosing power steering plus i had heard some noise coming fromunder the hood. Called for tow truck and had the truck towed to Prestige on route 17 in Paramus. Sure enough it was a harmonic balancer. Spoke to one of their SA who told me that they will have my truck fixed in a couple of weeks. So i rented a car and went home (NY). in two weeks i called the dealer and been told the truck is done i can pick it up. Saturday morning went back to the dealer only to find out they not didnt performany repairs but they couldnt locate the truck for two hours. as anybody else i was p****d so i called a tow truck again and had them tow it to my home. before i left the dealer i bought new harmonic balancer. as sson as came home i had truck on jack stands and replacing h/balancer. then i had toleave the country for a couple a month. as soon as i came back i tried to start the truck and it wouldnt. i checked fuel delivery and it spraying from fuel rail like crazy also checked different keys and spark plugs everything seems to be in order. also replced battery with optima red top. also it feels like engine catches on but dies almost right away i can hear detonation and there is dark smoke coming out of tailpipe.
forget to mention truck is out of warranty 64k
sorry if i was too long
thanks in advance for any help

Don't forget to report your harmonic balancer problem at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Consumer.cfm If a recall happens you could get reimbursed.

What was the design change between the 00 00 HB and the 06 00 HB?

I put them side-to-side and the thickness of the rubber looked identical. I posted a link to the pictures a few posts of mine back.

My new "13 00" HB looks similar, too......

__________________
Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

Have there been any reported failures of non 00 00 HB's yet? Is it possible that even the newer ones are prone to failure, but just haven't had the "time" to do so yet?

What is the reason that Mercedes implemented the belt pulley on the portion of the HB that's doing the dampening? On another vehicle of mine, the weighted portion that does the dampening isn't driving any of the accessories, but instead, the pulley is on the same portion of the balancer that's directly connected to the crankshaft.

I heard through the grapevine that Mercedes was contacted by the NHTSA a couple of days ago. This is not up on the NHTSA website yet, but it will be next week.

You heard it here first.

The NHSTA received enough complaints to launch an official investigation.

It seems as though some Mercedes owners have found the correct paperwork to fill out and someone out there is listening.

I was scared this would KILL an ML owner eventually if it already hasn't, so, I hope it all pans out. (Has anyone ever tried to move an ML steering wheel with NO power steering assist?)

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Just want to say thanks Benzmac for starting this thread. You saved me and countless others alot of trouble over this H/B issue.
Hope you and everybody else out there in cyberspace have a Happy Holiday.

Regards,
Alan

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.