I recently purchased a 2000 ML430 which appears to have been well cared for, but something occurred this evening that requires immediate attention.

When I started the vehicle I heard a faint "clicking" noise, but we weren't at home and I couldn't (wearing a suit) examine the engine.

We came to a stop halfway home and the noise had become much louder, but now sounded like a flapping noise. I opened the hood and immediately could see where the noise was originating...it looked like something was tangled in one of the pulley wheels on the serpentine belt.

I immediately shut off the engine and had a clear view of the issue...the wheel in question had an outer ring (it looked like it was rubber) that was separating from the rest of the unit.

We had to continue home (ten minutes on the highway) and I wasn't surprised when we arrived that the "rubber ring" had completed it's separation and was no longer there...the noise was gone and only a faint smell of buring rubber alerted us that something had happened.

I've done extensive engine work on my 16v's and C280, but I'm far too busy right now to work on this task (assuming it might be a big one). First, I need to determine what exactly occurred and why. Second, I need to know if this is something I should tackle myself. And third, I need to know how much whatever needs to be done should cost if I bring the ML in for service.

I'm attaching four pictures for review...two from each side of the engine bay (regular view and closeup).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew

Sounds like your harmonic balancer has failed. The rubber ring on the crank pulley falls out and then the outer part of the pulley moves backwards into the engine timing cover which causes high temperatures in the timing case which burns the sealant on the sump and timing cover causeing a front engine oil leak.

You shouldn't be driving the car while that balancer has failed.
You'll need a new balacer minimum, maybe a belt if it was damaged and fix any oil leaks if you continued driving too much after it failed.

Unfortunately this is a common fault with the V6/V8 engines.

__________________
Alex.

MB Tech
Sydney, Australia
Volvo 122S
W201 190D 2.5 manual
W202 C240
W203 C32

Harmonic Balancer is a well known failure and is covered here http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=63512 with plenty of stories.

Sounds like your harmonic balancer failed. Common failure....Expensive repairs ahead of you if you do not have warranty....... You should not drive the car... Have it towed to the shop.

Read here http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=63512

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the replies. I will have the vehicle towed and serviced by my local MB Dealership.

Does anyone have a ball park estimate for this repair?

Thanks,
Andrew

If by chance your still under the 4 yr/50K mile warranty you have a good chance of convincing the dealer to do the fix at no cost.

Andrew,

Please let us know the part number on the failed harmonic balancer. It should be on the outside diameter of the part.

Mine failed too and it was replaced with a new part number that it is supposed not to fail again.

Also, what is your milage?

Thanks,

Rene

All,

I bought the vehicle with 60,000 miles two months ago...it now has 62,000. Unfortunately, I didn't immediately look into purchasing an extended warranty, even though it was my intention. I'm getting that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach right about now.

Rene, I don't know what the part number on the current balancer is...the vehicle is at home and I was just made aware of what the issue is with my ML.

I must say, though, that I'm quite concerned about this repair after reading numerous horror stories online (I Googled "harmonic balancer/ML30"). It's diffiicult to discount so many testimonials of this particular part being an issue.

From my research, it looks like I'm going to spend anywhere from $1,300 - $2,200 if I have my local MB dealership repair the vehicle. I'd rather do the job myself, but I've never worked on an ML and don't really know what this repair entails.

Andrew

Andrew,

I had my HB replaced under warranty (proactive maintenance) but I estimated it would have been about $280.00 out of pocket with no warranty at the dealer. There is a chance your HB failure didn't cause any additional damage given you caught it and limited your driving distance home so you may not see the high repair bill. I wish you the best of luck.

I thought only the V6 engines have the harmonic balancer to the crankshafts, the V8s do not require one since the inherent design is a balanced one. Plus if the harmonic balancer did separate, he wouldn't have been able to drive home.

The V6 has a counterbalance SHAFT, has nothing to do with the harmonic balancer for the crankshaft. The V8 doesn't have the counterbalance shaft.
As far as shadetreein' this job, it is quite a bull job to remove the central bolt to remove the balancer and reinstall it, I'd leave it to a shop unless you are extremely well armed and tooled.
Gilly

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MB Brethren,

The ML is now in the capable hands of the local MB dealership. The service technician said the total cost could range from just $300 (if only the harmonic balancer is replaced) to...well, let's just not give that any thought.

I'll keep everyone in the loop and let ya'll know the extent of the damage to the vehicle, and my wallet.

Thanks,
Andrew

All,

The ML should be ready today...the service advisor called with the news I didn't want to hear, but was pretty much expecting: "That'll be $1,650...cash, check or charge?"

The harmonic balancer did some grinding here and there, just like many of you forewarned. Good news is, I sent the vehicle in for service knowing pretty much what the range of damage could be.

It's been a couple of years since I utilized this website...I can't believe I stayed away so long! The advice given here is timely, detailed, and free flowing...to each of you who replied, "Thank you very much!"

Now that I'm back in the fold, I think I just might start working on my 16v again. I wonder...maybe there's someone here who's interested in walking me though a 16v extreme makeover? (hint to Donnie)

Thanks again dudes,
Andrew

Do a seach on this site; quite a few people have replaced their own. I did several years back, as the towing bill alone would have set me back several hundred--the nearest dealer was 100 miles away. He told me to use a really long cheater bar, and it worked. The trick is holding the balancer down while you crank on the bolt. I fabricated a kind of half-a&$ tool that got me by, but there's a guy in Denmark I believe that welded up a real beauty! He posted a photo back a week or two ago. May be on the Tech Help forum or this one, I forget. You can buy a tool also.

__________________
Lenny

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