I just went through this ordeal. The 'indie' had nothing in his computer on the 'Service Campaign 2005 020003'. Our E320 is 7 years old and I was prepared for the worst. Thanks to you guys I was able to present my 'indie' with the info I found in this forum. I then went to our local dealer also. The outcome was that the dealer will cover up to $2,000 for the replacement of the harmonic balancer and other necessary parts and labor, plus towing, on top of the $2,000. (I believe this also holds true if the repair was done some time ago and paid for out of pocket. All you have to do is bring the bills to an authorized MB dealer.)
My main reaso for writing this message is to mention that the harmonic balancer failure is not a sudden development. I had my first warning a couple of months ago when I heard the serpentine belt squeek. I thought some dirt or oil must have goten on it. Sure enough it it did not last long and went away again. I think what happened is this, the rubber bushing, about 5" in diameter split apart and the outer metal track with grooves, on which the accessory belt rides, moves back toward the engine block, causing a missalignment and squeeking of the belt. Next thing you know, the front half of the rubber bushing falls off and the track slides even further back, scraping against the upper engine oil cover and the 'timing cover'. Caught early, it is only a one and a half hour job to replace the harmonic balancer.
You are helping lot of people with your experience and what you went through with dealer. I have 2001 E320 with only 27,000 miles but I think I will go through your experience soon or later.
It was very nice of you to write your story on the harmonic balancer.
Hey, Raylee, if you want to see if yours is in the group, check this post I did a while back:
http://forums.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1212149
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