[s-cars] Harmonic balancers

[pkrasusky at ups.com]

Mark postulated:

<<<Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 22:07:00 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
From: Mark Hahn <hahnmgh at peoplepc.com>
Subject: Re: [s-cars] Harmonic balancers

 All this Harmonic balancer "Rubber" talk could be just like the plastic
in the cooling system. A bit of age and heat cycles and ozone over the
years and this maybe the first signs of an epidemic as it seems a lot of
the cooling system plastic has been going lately compared to in the
past.  MGH>>>




I'm sure we all hope not.  

Personal anecdote...  

Back when we had Jen's old '98 ML320 a harmonic balancer issue reared
its ugly head large and wide, or so it seemed on the internet forums.  I
panicked and had it brought right in for inspection, as failures took
out things like timing chain covers and oil pans and were leading to
widespread catastrophic damage - damage that many MB dealers would turn
their backs to that were to the tune of many $000's.  Apparently any '98
thru early '00 3.2 V6s were affected, across all models, from mileage of
~ 45k and up.  Dealer said looked 100%, and apparently those affected
tended to be in the southern / western, i.e. hotter states.  

Wasn't an issue later as we pitched it in favor of an '02 for the 3rd
seat, so, who knows now.

So in the case of our UrS's...  hoping maybe same holds true.  Us
northerners 'may' fare better on this issue?  I'll assuredly have Dr.
Rossato fully inspect my HB to his NASA standards and ensure it passes
muster before reinstall.  

-Paul no thanks K.