Other Fuel Type Engine Turbo-charger Problems of Mercedes Benz 300

Engine failure during normal driving in traffic in my 1999 mercedes e300 turbo diesel. Both in independent repair shop and dealer in ft. Myers can not find and fix this problem. This is a serious safety problem and traffic hazard.

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I was driving in the middle lane of a 3 lane eastbound interstate 10 in gulfport, ms in a light rain ( it had been heavy 2 hours before ) with cruise control on at 65 mph. I had just come over the lorraine cowen (spelling?) exit and a little after the car was on the flat road, the car without warning spun 180 degrees and we were backward on the interstate. Seeing the tracks on the shoulder the next day, the car came off the interstate backwards at about a 15 to 20 degree angle, spun another 270 degrees at the lower extent of the cleared embankment, and went into the woods. It miraculously missed all large trees and the 3 passengers sustained no injuries at all. No air bags deployed as there was no severe impact, the most severe area of impact damage being somewhile in the ride hitting the left rear door area more severely, as the largest dent was there. The spin-out was not proceeded by any hydroplaning from the front end. There was no evidence of pooled water on the road at that point. I was completely baffled at why when going absolutely straight, with no brake or wheel movements and not encountering notable water, the car should suddenly spin. After thinking about this, I theorize that the car picked up speed going downhill from the elevated overpass of the road crossing the interstate. The area of spin out would be consistent with when the slowing car would have again gotten power from the cruise control. The car was an e300 turbodiesel and it on acceleration from starting has always had a turbo lag with a very noticeable burst of power when the turbo comes in. It is not like the other diesels I have had in that it delivers considerable torque--243 ft. Lb. @ 2600 rpm. I hypothesize that the sudden application of torque on the wet road threw the rear end around. If this problem has been encountered in other cases, at the least, a warning to never use the cruise control in the rain should be put out. I have given up cruise control for good.

See all problems of the 1998 Mercedes Benz 300 🔎.