Harmonic Balancer Recall Experiences?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25
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1999 E430 Sport
Harmonic Balancer Recall Experiences?
Just called MBUSA and was informed that my VIN requires the harmonic balancer recall. Planning to go to dealer next week.
Questions:
1. Is this an automatic replacement or an inspect and maybe replace?
2. Is it reasonable to ask the dealer to replace the belt for free (if I buy the belt from autohaus) since they have to remove the belt anyway?
3. What surprises should I be prepared for when they call me at work and say they have found a small problem that can be fixed for $$$$?
Questions:
1. Is this an automatic replacement or an inspect and maybe replace?
2. Is it reasonable to ask the dealer to replace the belt for free (if I buy the belt from autohaus) since they have to remove the belt anyway?
3. What surprises should I be prepared for when they call me at work and say they have found a small problem that can be fixed for $$$$?
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 87
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
2004 e320 and 99 e320 wagon
all they do is check the h.b. and see if it is one of the defective ones. if it is, they change it to the new design. i'm pretty sure if you are nice to them, they will put the new belt on.
it is surprising that you have not had a new one put on or the dealer at least check it. i think this recall came out in 02 or 03. depending on how long you have had the car, it may have already been changed, especially if you haven't had the failure that i had a couple of years back.
have them make a list of the problems they find and tell them you will bring it back at a later time. post the list here or better yet do a search and you sould be able to solve most minor problems. that is the beauty of these forums. don't let them do any work until you check here first.
it is surprising that you have not had a new one put on or the dealer at least check it. i think this recall came out in 02 or 03. depending on how long you have had the car, it may have already been changed, especially if you haven't had the failure that i had a couple of years back.
have them make a list of the problems they find and tell them you will bring it back at a later time. post the list here or better yet do a search and you sould be able to solve most minor problems. that is the beauty of these forums. don't let them do any work until you check here first.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
I wouldn't assume they will have to remove the old belt unless they have to replace the harmonic balancer. I believe the mounting bolt on the new balancers is different (from the recalled ones) and they could tell if it's been replaced or is the new type by that alone.
Who knows? You're under no obligation to have any work done and it's nice to get a heads up of a potential problem. Sure beats an unplanned breakdown. 
Last edited by RichardM98; Nov 26, 2008 at 06:25 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Just have them
replace the HB and buy the belt from them.By the time you pay for a belt and shipping from autohausaz it will not be much more and they will install it without question.They may suggest you replace the belt tensioner to the updated unit and I bet since you have the old balancer you also have the old tensioner.In which case you will be better off buying the belt and the tensioner and r/r yourself,otherwise the dealer will hit you for about $300 installed.
Anyother work they point out politely get the list and tell them you will need to budget for it and then do it yourself or find a good indie shop if you don't diy.
Anyother work they point out politely get the list and tell them you will need to budget for it and then do it yourself or find a good indie shop if you don't diy.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
1999 E430 Sport
Bought my E430
about 1.5 years ago and had it inspected beforehand by my mechanic who unfortunately didn't have a clue about MBs. Started DIY a few months ago with the help of this forum. Read a post about HB, checked my vehicle history and there was no entry showing it had been replaced previously. Called MB and they confirmed.
Thanks for the advice and I'll report back on how it goes...
Thanks for the advice and I'll report back on how it goes...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
1999 E430 Sport
Dealer Appointment
in two days. Their parts representative indicated that the updated tensioner pulley requires only the pulley to be updated ($20) instead of the entire tensioner mechanism ($300). I had thought that the pulley and tensioner base both should be upgraded. Does anyone know for sure???
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
The pulley
is the upgraded part,but the whole tensioner assembly is only 103bucks at autohausaz.com.Where do they get off charging $300?Wait I forgot THEY is the dealer
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
You did not need to tell us
that was just for the part We already figured that out
That is why they are called the stealership
That is why they are called the stealership
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25
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1999 E430 Sport
Pleasantly surprised...
Harmonic Balancer replaced, no hassles.....Work was done well, they put new belt ($60)on - no labor charge . The $20 pulley did not materialize but they did offer the $300 tensioner....thanks but no thanks. No loaner car but the ride to and from work was timely. No CELs driving out...
PS - I thought I heard one of the new shiny MBs in the showroom talk to me.
PS - I thought I heard one of the new shiny MBs in the showroom talk to me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Run
If it was calling wait a few years and buy a used one in mint condition,once they prove they have turned the corner on the quality issues.All that glitters is not gold
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Toledo, OH
88 535is, 89 318iT
The HB self-destructed on my car at about 1200 miles. It was nice to see that the normal ills of the W210 were fixed before my ownership! I even got a nice snap-on allen socket that was stuck on the recently replaced a/c compressor. Bet that mechanic's still looking for it!
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
1997 e320
HB question
Could a bad balancer be the source of the low-level rumbling vibration I get at about 1800 rpms when in a cruise mode (power neutral, just cruisin')? I had the drive shaft flex joints checked as the vibe seem to come from right under driver seat ( but that could be my perception as that's where I sit) I have a '97 e320. It's pretty annoying.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25
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1999 E430 Sport
Apparently YES
Just got my Service Campaign letter from MBUSA (because I called them to check my VIN). The last sentence of the first paragraph states..."Prior to harmonic balancer pulley deteriorating to a point of affecting vehicle performance and drivability, it will create several different type of driver warnings such as noticeable engine vibrations".
I can just see the MB attorneys wordsmithing this for hours....
However, the defective HBs were installed on certain model year 98-01 vehicles per the letter.
Check your motor mounts...plenty of information on this site about mounts..
I can just see the MB attorneys wordsmithing this for hours....
However, the defective HBs were installed on certain model year 98-01 vehicles per the letter.
Check your motor mounts...plenty of information on this site about mounts..
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4
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1999 E430
I called a nearby dealership for a price check on a new harmonic balancer for my 99 e430. They quoted me 479$....(canadian). Checked an online place, which I wont name because im new here and I dont know what the rules are yet, but it was 60$ with 75$ shipping from europe. Stealerships are just awful people.
