Wondering if you have harmonic balanacer issue? This was a supplier problem created for MB. The manufacture of the HB was outsourced to a 3rd party who used the wrong materials to construct the balanacer which caused it to deterirate at an accelerated rate. I should have been replaced in all you cars by now, but if not, please follow the instructinos to see if you are effected. It's campaign number 2005020003 (in the US).

The vehicles included are those built between 1998 and 2001.

Models affected are:
W163, R170, W202, W208, and W210 with the M112 (V6) engine.
&
R129, W163, W202, W208, W210, C215, W220 with the M113 (V8) engine.


The HB is located immediately behind the large pulley at the bottom-front-middle of your engine. The part number is stamped on the outer rim of the balancer, so if the crank is in the proper position it is clearly visible. You may have to turn over your engine a few times to get it to rotate to the correct position. It is advisable not to check we the engin eis running for obvious reasons. Once you find the number check if it is one of the two written below, if not you're in luck.

The only two part numbers affected are:

A112.035.00.00 & A112.035.06.00

If you have one of the above part numbers on your Balancer and your dealer knows that you own the car, they should send you a letter or if you're in good with your dealer, call to see if you can schedule an appointment. The repair shouldn't be at any cost to you. If you point out that you've already inspected it and your balancer bears the part numbers included in the recall, that will probably help keep the dealers BS/jargon at bay.

Below s a pic of an M112 (V6) with the Harmonic Balanacer highlighted in red