Chrysler Repair: 98 Cirrus 2.5 v6 stalling: could it be head gasket leak?, head gasket leak, crank shaft position sensor

Question
QUESTION: My 98 2.5 v6 cirrus lxi is randomly stalling at any speed. It loses power slowly, then stalls. When it does this the car is still running but will not respond to the gas pedal. It then stumbles and studders, the dash lights will all come on then it dies. On restarting it will start but stumble and shake violently, but remain unresponsive to the gas pedal. No code is stored. I replaced the distributor two months ago with a new one because of a bad camshaft sensor and i just replaced the egr valve and crank shaft position sensor. The problem remains and still no code. Please help.

ANSWER: Hi Vladimir,
You have done the egr, which is good as I would have suggested that as well. No codes presents a problem. If it never dies and refuses to start, then I doubt it is spark related. So I have to think of the fuel side. When it happens you might want to listen before you try to restart it to how the fuel pump is sounding. It runs for about a second when you turn the key to the run position (without going further to the start position). See if it sounds normal or not. You might also change the fuel filter. Otherwise you pretty much have to cause this to happen while at idle and with some test tools available to check the fuel pressure and spark condition. But I lean toward the fuel side, unless the rotor in distributor might be flakey.
Roland

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QUESTION: installed new fuel filter, changed oil and spark plugs. Spark plugs show signs of water. Thinking maybe head gasket?? would that cause studder/stalling?

Answer
Certainly, a head gasket leak that enters one or more of the cylinders can prevent combustion in those chambers. Other signs would be an unexplained loss of coolant and excessive white smoke when starting the car up cold, particularly if the condensate (let it settle on your skin held near the exhaust) smells of antifreeze. So note which plug(s) so signs of water and that would be your clue as to which head gasket is leaking. You might try slightly lossening and then retightening the bolts to the spec. torque level in the required pattern, on the chance that the gasket isn't perforated but rather leaking due to too loose head bolts.
Roland