Crankshaft Balancer Failure! UPDATED - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

billc · #46 06-29-2003, 10:37 AM

I talked to my dealer about this crankshaft balancer problem, he said:

1. It happens mostly in warmer climates.

2. It happens mostly in 320 engines.

3. It happens mostly on higher milage cars.

MOSTLY?

I think I'm going to replace mine.

croni · #47 07-01-2003, 08:04 PM

Crosspost:
http://classifieds.mbnz.org/forums/messages.asp?messno=2126&id=9

EPineda · #48 07-02-2003, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DR.DIESEL
This seems to be restriced to the m112 v-6 gas engine balancers.
I have seen one m113 v-8 do it. I have never heard or seen a
AMG one do it. No diesels or 4cyl/12cyl either.
There was a problem back in 99/00' with AMG crank pulley being
machined out of round. This was causing the front crank seals
to leak.
The seperating balancers are more common now,
We see these all the time on all models with the 112 v-6.
I am replacing a timing cover and oil pan on a 98' CLK 320 at
this very moment because the balancer came apart.

If your dealer says "Not a known problem", they are full of it.
If your car is out of warranty, the area market manager can decide to goodwill the repair.
Make noise. Call the MB Client Assistance Center and make noise.
1-800-for-mercedes. We have seen about 1 a month.
Most have been 98's.
Good luck to all.
DR.D

EPineda · #49 07-02-2003, 03:46 PM

I have a 99 ML 430 with 58,000 miles that had the same problem with the harmonic balancer. I considered myself lucky for finding the defective unit before it could create more damage to my vehicle. Upon inspection, the rubber insert of the defective was definitely coming off and made the unit wobble when turning. The unit in my ML 430 was made in England - not Germany or USA.

Quote:

Originally posted by DR.DIESEL
This seems to be restriced to the m112 v-6 gas engine balancers.
I have seen one m113 v-8 do it. I have never heard or seen a
AMG one do it. No diesels or 4cyl/12cyl either.
There was a problem back in 99/00' with AMG crank pulley being
machined out of round. This was causing the front crank seals
to leak.
The seperating balancers are more common now,
We see these all the time on all models with the 112 v-6.
I am replacing a timing cover and oil pan on a 98' CLK 320 at
this very moment because the balancer came apart.

If your dealer says "Not a known problem", they are full of it.
If your car is out of warranty, the area market manager can decide to goodwill the repair.
Make noise. Call the MB Client Assistance Center and make noise.
1-800-for-mercedes. We have seen about 1 a month.
Most have been 98's.
Good luck to all.
DR.D

#50 07-05-2003, 05:23 PM

I had heard squeeling on my 98 C280 with 58000 miles for a week or two and decided to look the belt over then I noticed the rubber out of the harmonic balancer I guess I was lucky to catch it as the rubber is completly out for about 1/3 of the pulley (I can actually get my fingers behind it).
Its unlikely the dealer will do me any favors and fix it so I would like to try it myself. I saw mention of where to get parts so my questions are should I even try to get the dealer to fix it gratis. and where could I get the parts?
I could post a photo if anyone would like to see it

Thanks
Bob

richard28 · #51 07-05-2003, 08:04 PM

As a result of what I learned on this board, on my '98 ml320, which has 81,000 miles, MB is paying for a ring job to cure the excessive oil consumption. While the car has been in the shop waiting for a part from Germany I requested a courtesy repair of the balancer, even though it appears OK. MB said no, but agreed to do the fuel filter retrofit at no charge. Since my wife really loves the vehicle, I plan to keep it for several more years and thus I have decided that its better for me now to pay for the parts and replace the balancer & bolt (about $100.00), as well as replace the belt tensioner, serp belt, engine mounts & plugs, since they will need replacement shortly anyway and the engine is open. The dealer is charging me about 1 hour labor for this extra work. The dealer said by doing the ring job, & whatever else is being done for the excessive oil consumption, MB is providing me about $5-6000 of work. I think MB & the dealer are being pretty fair & that this is a good deal for me. Any comments?

moparmike · #52 07-05-2003, 08:12 PM

If you are getting all that extra stuff done for only one hour of labor extra, you are getting one hell of a deal.

#53 07-06-2003, 12:29 PM

Here is the photo of the defective Harmonic Balancer I discovered yesterday (Probably an extreme case). I guess I know What I'll be doing in the morning. I'm wondering if the same dealership that missed the fact that I had two broken coil springs a few months ago might have missed this as well.
I'll see if MBUSA will replace it free but I doubt it.
This car (a 1998 C280) my wife drives has been a dog at 58000 miles its had 4 fuel sensors,one instrument cluster,one climate control unit,a Mass Airflow sensor,Two front coil springs and Ball joints and now a HB
BOb

Ima55r2 · #54 07-08-2003, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by billc
I talked to my dealer about this crankshaft balancer problem, he said:

1. It happens mostly in warmer climates.

2. It happens mostly in 320 engines.

3. It happens mostly on higher milage cars.

1. Check.

2. Check.

3. My ML had less then 30k at the time it was replaced.

CarolinaMBZ · #55 07-08-2003, 11:58 AM

A friend of mine just told me that there is now a voluntary recall on these things now.

grapes11 · #56 07-08-2003, 10:51 PM

Does anyone else know anything about voluntary fix for Harmonic/Crankshaft balancer. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Maybe one of the MB techs might know? Thanks so much for a wonderful forum.

DR.DIESEL · #57 07-09-2003, 08:15 PM

Any recall or campaign is news to me. We usually get word months in advance to ramp up on parts supply.
Kinda like the 15 ML p/s clamps I did today..sigh.

grapes11 · #58 07-09-2003, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the reply. Guess i won't hold my breath. Think this forum is getting into my brain, but with all the talk of H/B failures on v6 engines, i get a little crazy. My 1999 C280 sport with 19k runs out of factory warranty the 23rd of this month. Wish i new when the updated balancers went into effect. My car was manufactured late April of 99. Again thanks for the info Dr. Diesel

Benzmac · #59 07-09-2003, 10:16 PM

THERE IS NO RECALL!!!! I STATED THIS BEFORE.

IN SOME CASES, THE DEALER IS HELPING OUT CUSTOMERS.....

NOT A RECALL

YET!

DR.DIESEL · #60 07-15-2003, 04:42 PM

Got one today. 1999 E430 sport. 50,007 miles. Warranty expired
yesterday. Poor guy, The balancer spit out the rubber ring and chewed through the t-case. The client stated "well, I thought I heard something, but I just turned up the radio." HHMMMM......
Luckily for him, MB was kind enough to pick up the whole tab
because we asked nicely.
DR.D