OK, so with your help I know that I need to have the coolant flushed as well as the brake fluid.

I just ordered a new Harmonic Balancer at the dealership and will have it replaced early Januray to hopefully ward off that disaster.

So the next question on engine oil.

I bought the ML new and at 5000 miles I had the standard oil changed as I did not buy into the FSS and 10K change schedule on regular blended oil.

At 10K, they had made the decision to go to Mobile One 0w-40 European blend.

So at 10K, 20K, 30K, 40K, and 50K I has been changed with Mobile One synthetic.

Have I already damaged the engine with this drain schedule?

I'm now thinking of having it changed every 5000 miles with Mobile to try to preserve and clean out the block and engine components.

It uses no oil but I did note some gooey/gummy deposits in the filled cap area.

Please advise your thoughts as I really appreciate your opinions.

Gary
Northern Ohio