I took my 99 280 in for oil change today.

My Benz dealer said there was a recall on Harmonic Balancer. They checked and replaced at no cost to me. Perhaps, the dealership is making money on DaimlerChrysler?

I was told that bushing on my shifter is worn out. Is it DIY? Could anyone show me a diagram, please?

 

This is a real recall, i have the same car and they replaced mine to, before it wouldn't start automatically, after they replaced it, it has started everytime.

 

Yes, almost all 99 C class are effected over 100K cars and Mercedes is overwhelmed, I've been told.

 

I purchased my '99 C280 Sport approx. 5 mos. ago from a Benz dealer. I noticed on the repair records that the Harmonic Balancer had just been replaced. My understanding is the Harmonic Balancer was deteriorating too fast in hot climates such as the southern us.
However, the recall affects cars in any climate.[sm=pimp.gif]

 

mb is recalling harmonic balancers on the 112 and 113 engines (v6 and v8) with the part numbers ending 0000 and 0600 due to failures that damage the oil pan and front timing cover
people should get a letter in the mail regarding this recall

 

received no recall in the mail.

what is a harmonic balancer? where is it? is it one of the pullies in the belt loop?

 

Mercedes announced when that the recall letters could take months to get to all the car effected, I understand almost all 99 C280 are effected. I haven't had my car in since June for service, but I am about due, so I see if I am one of the lucky ones.

Harmonic Balancer is a pulley on the serpentine belt, it is a vibration damperer I believe?

 

shifter bushing, how much and how to? anyone?

 

Campaign - Harmonic Balancer Pulley Replacement
Campaign No.2005020003 April 2005
Revised May 2005

FILE:
SERVICE:
GROUP 00 OF SERVICE INFORMATION BINDER

PARTS:
GROUP I OF INFORMATION _ PARTS & ACCESSORIES BINDER

TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
SUBJECT:
MODELS 163, 202, 208210 WITH ENGINES 112,
MODELS 129,163,202,208, 210, 215, 220 WITH ENGINES 113,
MODEL YEARS 1998-2000;
MODEL 170 WITH ENGINE 112,
MODEL YEAR 2001
INSPECT, IF NECESSARY REPLACE HARMONIC BALANCER PULLEY

This revised Service Campaign bulletin 2005020003 supercedes previously issued Service Campaign bulletin 2005020003 released in April 2005. It contains new and updated evaluation procedures and warranty information to allow the replacement of the timing case cover and oil pan under certain conditions. Please destroy all previous Service Campaign bulletin versions.

This Service Campaign has been initiated because DCAG has determined that due to a supplier quality problem the harmonic balancer pulley in certain model year 1998-2001 vehicles may, depending upon vehicle use characteristics, be subject to high under-hood temperatures that can, over a long period of time, cause it to deteriorate. Prior to a harmonic balancer pulley deteriorating to a point of affecting vehicle performance and drivability, it will create several different types of driver warnings such as noticeable engine vibrations. Affected vehicles will be checked and the harmonic balancer replaced, as required.
Note :Please note, due to the volume of affected vehicles, dealer capacity, and to maintain an adequate and uninterrupted parts supply, customer letters will be mailed in stages throughout the remainder of the year. The various stages of mailing will be based on available data concerning vehicle populations, network capacity, parts supply and other factors. Do not campaign vehicles unless the customer presents a campaign letter. Only in circumstances when the customer reports conditions arising from a deteriorating harmonic balancer or the dealer observes deterioration of the harmonic balancer during normal servicing of the vehicle should the harmonic balancer, in a vehicle not currently campaigned, be replaced. Future NetStar messages will inform dealers which customers will be receiving campaign letters. Please assure your customers who have inquiries concerning this campaign, but who have not yet received a customer letter, that they will receive a customer letter sometime later in the year.


Approximately 368,836 vehicles are affected.

 

Sorry no clue, I am surpised the shifter bushing is worn. I also have a 79 450SLC and the original shifter bushing is still in the car and needs replacing. The mechanic fabricated one for the time being, and ordered one thru MB. that was 2 weeks ago.

Is the shifter loose, not staying in gear, or not engaging in gear without "playing" with the shifter? These are the symtoms I had with the 450SLC. My 99 C280 shifter is precise and shift moves clean and gears are engaged immediately?