Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve) problems of the 1998 Mercedes Benz E430

Stalling, abrupt engine failure, fail to or delayed start: frequency - 6 times per year, no warning. 1/yr - fail to start and delayed starting for several minutes; 5/yr engine stopped/ stalled while operating at speeds from 35 to 65 mph. 1. During the delayed started there was no engine noise, I. E. No generator/turnover occurred, even dash lights failed to light; then started - no error message nor check engine appeared. 2. During the stalls at speed in gear, the engine died with no warning and eventually started again with repeated key-turns. Multiple incidents of engine failure since 2008. Without warning or any sign of a problem, the engine completely shuts off. This occurs: while starting - no response , while stopped, driving at surface street and highway speeds, turning at low speeds and even backing up. Have replaced/repaired or inspected plugs&wires, wiring harness, k40 relay, fuses, battery, mass air flow sensor, crankshaft position sensor, egr valve, fuel filter, ecu chip, fuel pump/relay/lines, vacuum lines, air filter, tensioner, harmonic balancer, vibration damper, ignition control unit, solenoid, test of coil primary and secondary resistance, O2 sensors, ignition switch, idle air slide, harmonic damper . . . And the search continues. . . This is an accident waiting to happen (and according to several posts on this site, it already had) note that several diagnostic scans over the 7 years shows no error codes and the mechanic has been unable to replicate the problem. Afterward, the car starts almost immediately or within a few minutes. History: bought the car used in 2005 with 92,000 miles in florida, no accidents, no hx of damage, florida (no water damage), regularly serviced and routine maintenance is up to date. Thank you for the means to report this serious problem.

4. 11. 15//1233hrs (mt) -- 1998 Mercedes Benz E430 stalling, engine failure problem: multiple incidents (more than 15 in 7 years) of engine failure since 2008. Without warning or any sign of a problem, the engine completely shuts off. This occurs: while starting - no response , while stopped, driving at surface street and highway speeds, turning at low speeds and even backing up. Have replaced/repaired or inspected plugs&wires, wiring harness, k40 relay, fuses, battery, mass air flow sensor, crankshaft position sensor, egr valve, fuel filter, ecu chip, fuel pump/relay/lines, vacuum lines, air filter, tensioner, harmonic balancer, vibration damper, ignition control unit, solenoid, test of coil primary and secondary resistance. . . None of the repairs corrected the stalling problem. Current mileage = 135,000. Plan to inspect/replace O2 sensors, ignition switch, idle air slide, harmonic damper . . . And the search continues. . . This is an accident waiting to happen (and according to several posts on this site, it already has) what is daimler/Chrysler doing about it ? note that several diagnostic scans over the 7 years shows no error codes and the mechanic has been unable to replicate the problem. Afterward, the car starts almost immediately or within a few minutes. History: bought the car used in 2005 with 92,000 miles in florida, no accidents, no carfax hx of damage, (no water damage), regularly serviced and routine maintenance is up to date. Thank you for the forum to report this serious problem.

My wife was driving the 1998 mercedes E430 at 65 mph on a two lane frontage road along I-4 in lakeland florida on August 7, 2005. The road had curves and stop signs. Without any warning or check engine lights, the vehicle lost power steering and anti-lock power brakes. My wife ran through a stop sign and into a field before regaining control, although limited, of the vehicle. The harmonic damper had disintegrated taking out the whole front of the engine. The failure caused an immediate seizing of the engine as the damper parts wedged between the remaining part of the damper and the engine oil pan. My wife was startled by the noise, then the quiet and the loss of the power steering and the power brakes. My wife, a woman of 125 lbs had all she could do to stop and steer the car. The car was towed at owner's expense ($75) to the nearest mercedes dealer for repair. The dealer replaced 47 parts/gaskets on the front of the engine under the recall. The owner had to replace the mass air sensor and the air conditioning compressor at a cost of $1500. 00. The vehicle still has a rumbling vibration getting worse at 50-60 mph that it did not have before the recall. The engine is consuming oil or leaking oil now also.