I would only suggest that since it is a 1998 car with the 3.2 liter V6, he needs to have the rubber portion of the crankshaft pulley checked. There is lots in the archives about these failing.

Benzmac started a thread on this several weeks ago, too.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=63512

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".