311 engine cut out

[daya]

afternoon , have just towed in sprinter after engine cut out , changed filter re started ok drove 60ft turned right and the engine cut out again, swore at it and hit van with bush ,restarted again drove 60ft cut out again ,re swore and hit with bush re started ! do not belive to be air in fuel as none visible in return when running , also plenty of fuel returning to bottle from return . Have read about wiring problems which i will now have a look at .Any assistance greatfully recieved as i have no more bushes to hit van with!!
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[sillerdyke]

Hi there,
Sounds similar to trouble I am having. Look at my thread 'Sprinter 208D starved of fuel'. What mileage has yours done? I am 120k and am having the tank emptied and flushed out to see if its bits of dirt causing the trouble. I have particular trouble going uphill and even worse if vehicle is cold, does that relate? I don't appear to have the inline filter which some of the older ones have. (Mine is 97 P 2.3)
May replace the fuel line from the tank too.
I am no mechanic but have you checked the breather?

 

[Cnics]

This is the newer CDi model so a somewhat different fuel system. although the same basics do apply.

It may well be electrical. The system is primed when you turn on the ignition, this may be enough fuel to get you your 60feet (though it seems a bit much). If there is an electrical problem causing the vehicle not to pump any more fuel through when it's running. From what i remember, it's more common the other way. the system wont pump fuel on turnover but will when running, so once the van is running it will run all day but it just wont start normally.

i'm also no expert but i am a 311 owner.

 

[daya]

No problem when cold or going up hill with mine just seems to happen when turning right ,had this problem years ago on a lorry that was problem sucking air through steel pipe , air in top of filter ran ok while flat but not on bends,
This seems a diferent problem as no air visible.
This van will idle for hours but still cuts out after you move off.Which makes you think a fuel starvation of some sort however i cannot find a fault with the fuel lines,Still believe it to be electrical as the van cuts out instantly without any coughs or splutters.Also with air problems usualy have problem starting in the morning but she fires up no problem.Will give it a road test later and post outcome,Thanks for your replies.

 

[brandwooddixon]

It only happens when the van is moving?
Does turning the wheel make any difference whatsoever?

Hmm, if it'll idle for hours then must be an electrical short which occurs when being driven.

Is there anything that you do which could be related to this i.e. does it only cut out when you change gear, steer, accelerate or brake?

Could yo have a problem with a heavy keyring and a dodgey ignition switch? (Try with just the key).

 

[Cnics]

a dodgy wiring loom that's rubbed though and shorts against earth when the van moves, does it happen no matter how fast you pull away, eg if you race off the line or if you start to move as gently as possible? That might give some clue as to whether is some physical movement that's causing the problem.

 

[daya]

Odd ! started van this morning and has run perfectly all day no problems,
Can only think that the fuel filter was at fault originaly ,after changing filter had some trapped air in the system that only appeared when i started driving up the road. Or there is a dodgy wire that i have disturbed causing the fault and at any time in the future the van will come to a grinding hault,probably some where on the M4 ten o'clock on a sunday night,in the rain,

Thanks for the advice

 

[daya]

spoken to the driver before me he had same problem as me the van cutting out on roundabout lasted a couple of days then fine , He though that there might be an oil level cut out switch but never had problem again so did not worry about it.