runs like a bag of nails!!!!

[Grendon45]

my 64 plate 316cdi sprinter kept going in to limp mode no power could turn key off/on would clear it this time didnt work now ran like a bag off nails couldnt drive it had to switch off and get towed to my friends garage
now wont start just keep cranking over and over he did get it running with some easy start but runs really rough so turned off
got fuel to pump filter and injectors
done a compression test all good
turned injectors off one by one but make no difference
lost what to try next!!!!!
next move will be tow to mercedes garage see if they can see whats wrong last resort

anybody have any ideas what i could try???

 

[Kev555]

My first guess from past experience would have been injectors. Compression test would have been a second choice to do. since you seemed to have covered those i was thinking low pressure pump in fuel tank? I take its the om651 engine in yours? Whats the fuel rail pressure and high pressure pump readings like on diagnostics?

 

[VitoVanMan]

I had exactly the same issue on my 115cdi Vito and called out MB and this guy diagnosed Crankshaft sensor. on his computer, this was before I purchased a decent scanner, which paid for itself after my first fault finding job with it.
You can check if this is faulty with an OBDII reader or scanner as the fault code will be stored.
If it is that on your vehicle, you will find it on the top of the bell housing on the gearbox. this sensor can be a so and so to extract, so be prepared for much huffing and grunting.
If you look on line for the symptom for a bad crankcase sensor, you seem to possess them all, but check the fault codes first.

 

[Kev555]

Good call Vito man, most likely culprit to check first. I Just took it there was no codes or checked for them if Grendon was had software capable of switching on and off the injectors and no mention of trouble codes in his post

 

[Kev555]

Just out of curiosity Grendon did your sprinter ever display starting problems in the morning where starter didn't engage before it got to limp mode?

 

[M80]

This is likely way off the mark, but as I've just experienced the same symptoms I'll post it anyway.

Mrs Me's 211 had brake issues. I've pieced in new brakes pipes and replaced hoses to all 4 corners.
Anyways I couldn't get peddle pressure, not a symptom you've mentioned.
I re read a thread by Connor, he suggested bleeding at 2 bar, so back to the motor this morning.

But yesterday I ran the engine. Started ok, but soon became the bag of nails. Then it was cutting out, and even failing to restart. So this thread had me thinking CPS, so I intended to hook up DAS to confirm.
But with the bleeder system on and up to 30+ psi it started easily, runs loverly, and revs again.

Oh, the brake peddle has some pressure again, but time for a re bleed.

Others will likely explain my confusing engine issue, but it may be worth a thought for yours??? Since you're struggling to diagnose.

 

[Kev555]

Good point to make M80 as Grendons issue is ether electrical or mechanical. Never would have twigged brake pressure could affect the running of engine unless you inadvertantly disturbed damaged or frayed wiring to the CPS sensor while working on the brake pipes?

 

[M80]

Good point to make M80 as Grendons issue is ether electrical or mechanical. Never would have twigged brake pressure could affect the running of engine unless you inadvertantly disturbed damaged or frayed wiring to the CPS sensor while working on the brake pipes?

It has been up on sticks for a few weeks,
bad weather mainly reduced my desire to go crawling.
So I considered if I had disturbed, or unplugged summat, and forgotten.
But this morning the engine was that bag of spanners. As soon as I pressured up the brake system it wasn't. Time'll tell but I now think it was related to air getting in via the vacuum system?? But the 2009 211 brake system has some complication, compared to the simple 2014 Viano, so I may be way off bat.

I still haven't hooked up DAS, and as the engine light was on I'm pretty sure to find a clue in a stored fault code.

 

[Grendon45]

My first guess from past experience would have been injectors. Compression test would have been a second choice to do. since you seemed to have covered those i was thinking low pressure pump in fuel tank? I take its the om651 engine in yours? Whats the fuel rail pressure and high pressure pump readings like on diagnostics?

Thanks for replying turned out to be injector no 1 was not working properly had a intermittent fault so changed it now running fine fingers crossed!!!
Have one fault code now which cant clear U012087 communication with the starter or alternator has a malfunction. The message is missing???
Have you ever seen this code??

 

[Kev555]

Remember seeing this before but forget what caused it. Is your battery good voltage wise?

 

[Grendon45]

Yes battery has 14.1 - 14.3 volts

 

[VitoVanMan]

Good to see a positive result, with the injector No.1, and being No1 at the front of the engine...easily accessible.
Did the Mercedes garage identify the Injector on their scan tool.
As for the battery, are those voltages when the engine is running?

 

[Grendon45]

Good to see a positive result, with the injector No.1, and being No1 at the front of the engine...easily accessible.
Did the Mercedes garage identify the Injector on their scan tool.
As for the battery, are those voltages when the engine is running?

Wasn’t at a Mercedes garage at a friends garage but has a Mercedes star machine which told him injector 1 or 3 was playing up
Battery with engine running

 

[Blobcat]

Yes battery has 14.1 - 14.3 volts

Is that with engine on or off?

 

[Grendon45]

Engine running

 

[VitoVanMan]

Okay, lets hope it is only No.1 and No.3 doesn't start playing " silly beggars".
Try the battery without the engine running, and that will give the battery voltage. It looks like the alternator is working over time at those sort of voltages.
Are you using a voltmeter?
I have invested in one of these cigarette lighter USB charges with voltage and current readings which you can check in the cab as you go along. The current reading is what the appliances you have plugged in.

 

[Blobcat]

Engine running

Test it with engine off first thing in the morning.

You’re testing the alternator with the engine on

 

[Grendon45]

The voltage comes up on my radio but I’ll have a look for a usb one

 

[Grendon45]

Test it with engine off first thing in the morning.

You’re testing the alternator with the engine on

I’ll try it tomorrow

 

[Kev555]

Wasn’t at a Mercedes garage at a friends garage but has a Mercedes star machine which told him injector 1 or 3 was playing up
Battery with engine running

I had that same symptom when my injectors were on their way out from memory, kept jumping between 1 and 3 for some reason showing running faults. Think 3 eventually totally failed and van broke down. After a set of injectors it never looked behind it.