The harmonic balancer bolts to the front of the crankshaft and is the external balance for the main rotating mass of your engine. If it is out of whack for a period of time, it will wear the crank bearings which is more detrimental to your engine than the other problems it can cause listed above (oil pan, belt, etc). When you hear that a rebuilt engine is "balanced and blueprinted", the balance part consists of taking the crank, harmonic balancer, and flexplate and putting them on a machine that spins them to make sure they are balanced perfectly for longer bearing life. Kinda like balancing a tire/wheel.

 

Do you still have the list. I have a 98 E320 W210. Thanks

 

If you have a dealer run a Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI) for you, there is a box near the top (probably top 2nd page) which lists the Service Campaigns applicable to your vehicle including whether they are open or closed.

For my 1998 E320 there were two -- Model 210 Cavity Wax (corrosion issues) and Harmonic Balancer.

 

Hi everyone. I just bought a 1999 E55 with 74K. I went to the dealer to check on it's documented service and possible recalls. There was little record of the car and no outstanding recalls, the service advisor said. I subsequently found the list below, I don't recall if on this or the other site. It doesn't mention the harmonic balancer. It details several airbag issues as recalls.

Is it mislabled as to model/year? If so is there a correct list available?
Can anyone comment?

See:
1999 E55

Safety Recalls
TSB Number & Issue Date TSB Title
200104001 APR 01 Recall - Replacement of Side Airbags
200104002 APR 01 Recall - Side Airbag Replacement
1999080001 DEC 99 Recall - Infant Restraint/Booster Seat Exchange
1998090002 NOV 98 Recall - Side Window Airbag Defect
98V256000 OCT 98 Recall 98V256000: Window Air Bag

Inspection/Replacement
Service Bulletins
TSB Number & Issue Date TSB Title
P-30_30-61 DEC 04 Cruise Control Inoperative
P-82_10-419 DEC 04 Lighting - Condensation in Headlamps
P-32_25-19 DEC 04 Suspension - Shock/Strut Replacement Guidelins
P-00_45-77 FEB 04 Interior - Squeaking/Creaking Noise Kit
S-01_30-15 FEB 04 Engine - Cylinder Wall Damage Assesment
S-49_10-08 FEB 04 Exhaust System - Rattling/Hissing/Humming Noises
P-40_10-43 JAN 04 Tires - Michelin Pilot Sport A/S(R) Tires Not Approved
P-18_00-20 DEC 03 Engine - Oil Sludging Damage/Class Action Settlement
T-18_00-21 DEC 03 Engine - Oil Sludging/Consumption Diagnosis & Repair
S-18_00-16A DEC 03 Gasoline Engine - Oil Sludging
P-20_10-23 MAY 03 Cooling System - Water Pump Leakage
P-82_70-222 MAR 03 Cell Phone - Phone Won't Fasten Into Cradle Holder
P-67_00-09 MAR 03 Body - Windshield/Rear Glass Body Seam Corrosion
P-80_57-20 FEB 03 Audio System - RF Interference Explanation
P-82_85-210 NOV 02 Navigation/GPS System - Various Malfunctions
P-82_85-198 JUL 02 COMAND(R) System - No Sound/Whistling
P-47_10-16A FEB 02 Instruments - Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy
P-47_10-23 FEB 02 Fuel System - MIL ON/DTC P03XX (Misfire)
P-82_85-170 SEP 01 COMAND(R) System - Incorrect ETA Calculation Displayed
P-82_85-171 SEP 01 COMAND(R) System - Instrument Display Not Centered
P-80_57-11 AUG 01 Ignition System - Electronic Ignition Switch Replacement
P-18_40-14 AUG 01 Engine Controls - Implausible Oil Level Messages
P-91_60-48 AUG 01 Air Bag System - Side Impact Sensor Replacement
P-47_31-12 JUL 01 Emissions, On Board Refueling Vapor Recovery Valve
S-00_00-072 MAY 01 Emission/VIN Label - Availability
S-58_091A MAY 01 Special Tool - Universal Valve Spring Tool
S-05_010A MAY 01 Tools - Universal Valve Spring Tool
S-58_20-93B APR 01 Fender/Interior/Fascia Cover - Availability
S-58_00-118 MAR 01 Engine Oil - Approved Evacuation Equipment
P-88_50-023 FEB 01 Emergency Trunk Release - Retrofit
S-00_40-071 FEB 01 Synthetic Oil Recommendations - For FFS Vehicles
S-40_10-036 FEB 01 Tires - Maintenance & Inspection
S-60_004A DEC 00 Body/Frame - Dedicated Straightening Equipment
S-58_094A DEC 00 Chassis/Frame - Dedicated Frame Straightener
S-60_00-012 DEC 00 Special Tool - M20 Resistance Welder
S-58_30-103A DEC 00 Special Tool - Resistance Spot Welder
S-58_30-115 DEC 00 Special Tool - Resistance Welder
S-60_00-008A DEC 00 Special Tool - Spot Welder
S-40_10-034 DEC 00 Tires - High Performance Tire Storage
P-91_60-44 OCT 00 Rear Door Airbag - Deactivation/Activation
P-40_10-20P SEP 00 Tires/Snow Chains - Factory Approved Specifications
DDAF82_85-U-600JUL 00 Fault in COMAND Operating and Display System
DDAF82_60-U-600JUL 00 Radio Inoperative
DDAF42_10-U-600JUL 00 Selector Lever Blocks
DDAF97_10-U-404JUL 00 Ingress of Water in Luggage Compartment
DDAF82_60-U-110JUL 00 Interference to Radio After Installing Window Screens
DDAF54_65-U-200JUL 00 PTS MIL ON For No Apparent Reason
DDAF42_45-U-810JUN 00 ESP Fault Code C1120
DDAF42_45-U-810JUN 00 Electronic Stability Program Fault Code C1142
DDAF91_00-U-301JUN 00 Electrostatic Charge on Seats
DDAF82_10-U-200JUN 00 Main Beam/Low Beam Not Operating
DDAF54_21-U-600JUN 00 Operational Problem in Upper Control Panel
DDAF15_30-U-640JUN 00 Starter Occasionally Does Not Operate
S-91_40-31A JUN 00 Seat Belt - Extensions
P-91_00-34 MAY 00 Interior - Installation of Child Restraint Tether Anchor
DDAF82_85-U-100MAR 00 Tone Settings in Sound System Not Possible
DDAH54_10-P-000MAR 00 Battery Safety Notes
DDGF42_45-U-100MAR 00 ESP Electrical and Electronics Components Location
DDAF82_60-U-600MAR 00 Radio Cannot Be Operated
DDAR54_18-P-010MAR 00 Repairing Wiring Harness Using Soldered Terminal
DDAF42_45-U-800MAR 00 Steering Angle Sensor - DTCs C1140 and C1504 Set
DDAF82_60-U-600MAR 00 Operational Problem Radio/Cassette Player
DDAF82_60-U-670MAR 00 Volume of ``Hands-Free'' System Too Low
DDAF40_10-U-200DEC 99 Increased Tire Wear
DDAF46_10-U-300DEC 99 Steering Stiff, Possible Noises
DDAF91_60-U-600NOV 99 Airbag Control Module - DTCs B1310, B1311 Set
DDAF54_20-U-670NOV 99 Electric Suction Fan Runs All The Time, Ignition OFF
S-Si-00-01-70 OCT 99 Vehicle - Roadside Assistance Program
DDAF82_10-U-200SEP 99 High/Low Beams Do Not Function
DDAF07_07-U-670SEP 99 Engine, Shakes, Misses, and Dies at Idle
DDAF42_45-U-810SEP 99 ESP Fault Code C1401 or C1405
DDAF42_45-U-620SEP 99 ESP Reacts Too Sensitively at Low Speed Tight Curves
DDAF54_30-U-240AUG 99 Digits in Display Become Darker/Not Legible
DDAF54_21-U-600AUG 99 Turn Signal Lamp Occasionally Fails to Operate
DDAF77_20-U-120AUG 99 Wind Noise at Front of Tilting/Sliding Roof
DDAF91_60-U-609AUG 99 Airbag ControlModule - DTCs 004, 007 Set
DDAF83_40-U-200AUG 99 EC Lamp ON, Cannot Be Shut OFF
DDAF72_29-U-600AUG 99 Failure of Power Window Drive
DDAF77_20-U-600AUG 99 Malfunction of Electric Tilting/Sliding Roof
DDAF83_30-U-600AUG 99 Occasional Air Conditioner Failure
DDAF88_70-U-600AUG 99 Operating Problem Exterior mirror
DDAF88_50-U-200AUG 99 Corrosion at Trunk Lid in Area of Lock Cylinder
S-58_40-107 AUG 99 Engine - Binder Heating Oven (Necessary Tool)
S-99_00-223 JUN 99 Electrical - Component Locator, Star Finder
DDGF42_45-U-100MAY 99 ESP Electrical Components Locations
DDAF42_45-U-310MAY 99 ESP is Activated Even On Slight Curves at Moderate Speed
DDAF42_31-U-600MAY 99 Engine Does Not Start, Touch Start Inoperative
DDAF54_00-U-600MAY 99 Battery Discharged/Electronic Damage - After Jump Start
DDAF82_10-U-200MAY 99 Color or Brightness Difference of Headlamps
DDAF82_10-U-404MAY 99 Headlamps/Turn Signals Mist Up or Leaking
DDAF67_30-U-600MAY 99 Side Window Opens After Closing
DDAF82_70-U-100MAY 99 Telephone Call is Interrupted When Engine Started
DDAF18_40-U-804APR 99 Engine Oil Above Max Level
P-91_18-39 APR 99 Interior - New Style Seat Covers Introduced
DDAF83_25-U-600FEB 99 Heater Blower is Noisy
DDAF82_10-U-600FEB 99 Bulb Life Short in Headlamps/Marker Lamps
DDAF54_30-U-840FEB 99 Instrument Cluster Indicates Lubrication System Faults
S-58_00-043D FEB 99 Special Tools - Inventory List
DDAF18_40-U-804JAN 99 Instrument Cluster Indicates Oil Sensor Faulty
DDAF05_10-U-145JAN 99 Arrythmic Noise at Idle, Coolant Temp. Over 40 Degrees C
DDAF13_22-U-140JAN 99 Irregular Knocking and Rattling From Belt Tensioner
DDAF82_60-U-200JAN 99 Display Flashes (All Radio Functions in Order)
DDAF82_61-U-600JAN 99 Station Storage/Cassette Slot - Warning Too Loud
DDAF98_00-U-200JAN 99 Deformation of Parts During Repair Paintwork
DDAF72_29-U-600JAN 99 Malfunction of Rear Power Windows
DDAF68_20-U-600JAN 99 Mechanism of Ashtray Housing Damaged/Jamming
DDAF91_10-U-900JAN 99 Noises From Front Seats
DDAF72_10-U-100JAN 99 Noises When Operating Front Power Windows
DDAF33_15-U-300JAN 99 Vibration/Torsional Vibration at The Steering Wheel
S-82_10-115 DEC 98 Lights - Daytime Running Lamps, Canadian Regulations
P-72_10-018 NOV 98 Locks - Front Door Lock Trim, Clicking Noise
S-00_00-068 OCT 98 Computer Software - Y2K Impacts
S-58_30-106 OCT 98 Engine - Borescope & Fiberscope Functionality
P-68_20-011 OCT 98 Interior - Reuse Matching Wood Trim From Ashtray Housing
P-72_29-017 OCT 98 Windows - Power Window Lifter Assembly Components
S-82_35-113A OCT 98 Windshield - Washer Concentrate
P-62_20-001 SEP 98 Frame - Longitudinal Member Sectioning Revision
P-SI-40_30A AUG 98 Suspension - New Alignment Tools and Procedures
DDAF42_31-U-800JUL 98 Brake Assist (BAS): Fault Code C1025
DDAF42_45-U-810JUL 98 ESP Fault Code C1142
DDAF82_60-U-600JUL 98 Making and Installing Auxiliary Wiring Harness
DDAF80_57-U-640JUL 98 Repairs for Faults of Electronic Ignition Switch
DDAF82_60-U-600JUL 98 Test of Electronic Ignition Switch
S-27_032 MAY 98 A/T - Repair/Replacement Guidelines
S-SI-14_12A MAY 98 I/M Emission Testing on Dynamometer
DDAF80_20-U-610APR 98 Central Locking Unlocked When Driving, Dome Lamp ON
DDAF80_20-U-400APR 98 PSE System Does Not Function But Pump Runs
S-82_108 APR 98 Cellular Phone - Diagnosis & Return Form
S-72_055 APR 98 Interior - Door Trim Panel Component Replacement
S-91_048A MAR 98 Airbag - Replacement Label
S-82_098 MAR 98 Cellular - (Motorola) Telephone Direct Repair Program
DDAF42_45-U-800FEB 98 Steering Angle Sensor, DTCs C1140, C1504, 015, 016, 017
DDAF54_30-U-210APR 97 ABS, MIL ON No ABS System Malfunctions
00_053 OCT 93 Maintenance - Factory Approved Service Products
DD01-82042 APR 82 External Oil Leaks

 

technical service bulletins are generally for the model/year. recalls can be for
a specific VIN# or part# so if the parameters which generated your list is too
specific, it may not pick up what you were hoping to see. perhaps a wider net
can be used.

what I have for my 1999 E320 is being sent you by PM.

 

Good stuff. I'll tap that source and see about my model year.
Thanks again