Sprinter 310d losing power over 60mph

[jbtransport]

Hello all
New to this forum but have read many interesting and helpful bits.
So, hoping someone can help me with a problem thats cropped up with my Sprinter 310d, its a 1998 model 5cyl 2.9 turbo and covered 216000 miles. Its been running fine until last week, when pushed over 60mph it loses power, almost as if gone into limp home mode, seems like the turbo isn't working proper and top speed is a maximum of 80mph and very slow to get to, its also losing speed on hills which it would normally accellerate up!
If i restart the engine all the power comes back and turbo whistles and does its job, i have noticed that it kicks out some exhaust smoke to start with when i do this.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem could be?
Look forward to your replies.

 

[psmart]

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you've got a regular problem.

If you have the ability, get a readout of the fault codes, otherwise:

First port of call is the Mass Airflow Sensor. Check out the thread at the top of this section on how to clean or replace it.
The other problems could be down to the control system for the turbo, please read: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19913
and this thread: http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=19930

See if this helps, if not, please post up a bit more info to see what we can come up with.

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

Hi there and welcome to the forum

I seem to think there have been a few posts about similar symptoms/problems with Sprinters and Vitos over the last few months but I think no-one ever came back with answers if they did solve the problem (so when you do solve it please let us know).

Probably the first and easiest step to take would be to get the van hooked up to a STAR diagnostics computer and see if any faults are showing as this may take you directly to the problem, but not always. You don’t need to go to Mercedes for this as most independent Merc specialists will have STAR. Let us know where you are and someone should be able to point you to a nearby garage.

The obvious things to check that spring to mind are possible collapse of the air pipe work at some point between the air filter and the inlet manifold which may be occurring under particular conditions and then springing back when the engine is stopped. Also check all the fine brown vacuum pipes that activate the turbo and on the CDI vans at least are also connected into the cab air recirculation system. I have had a problem with this myself when the pipe came off the recirc flap actuator and this knocked out the turbo as there was no vacuum to work it. Perhaps also worth reading the excellent article about cleaning the MAF sensor at the top of this section of the forum as this could also be a problem.

Something else has just occurred to me. When was the fuel filter last changed? maybe it is a fuel starvation problem and all the muck trapped in the filter is dropping to the bottom when the engine is switched off but then being picked up again at times of peak flow and restricting the passage of fuel to the engine?

Let us know how you go on.

 

[jbtransport]

Hi all

I well pleased, and all thanks to your help. I located the Mass Airflow Sensor (as the van has only just had full sevice and over areas would have been checked or replaced then) and unplugged it to find really good contacts but decided to give them a blast of air and quick clean anyway. Plugged it back up and of i went. Covered about 150 miles in her today with no problems at all. All the power is back right through the rev range and at all speeds!! Happy Days!!!

Thanks again.

 

[Yeti]

I have a similar problem, but with a 1996 312D. I can't seem to find a MAF, looks like I only have a MAP sensor.

Am I missing something? Could it be the MAP sensor, or does anyone have any other suggestions.

My problem's not quite the same, my turbo's fine as far as I can see, but my van's just got no guts, hits the rev limiter around 2400rpm or less.

 

[Sprint'n'Go]

I have a similar problem, but with a 1996 312D. I can't seem to find a MAF, looks like I only have a MAP sensor.

Am I missing something? Could it be the MAP sensor, or does anyone have any other suggestions.

My problem's not quite the same, my turbo's fine as far as I can see, but my van's just got no guts, hits the rev limiter around 2400rpm or less.

As far as I know, the 310 & 312 are identical engines but with different levels of tune (just like the 311/313 CDI's) so If it is there on one engine I would assume it must be there on the other? However, I have never even looked at the 310/312 engines so I can't be sure either way. The only info I have available are some specification charts I found on the net a few years ago which lists basics like power and turning circle etc. I am sure someone must have better info and possibly an engine layout diagram. Unfortunately the Sprinters are not covered by the very helpful russian website that contains exploded diagrams of most of the Mercedes passenger car range.

If you can't find the MAF it would be worth making contact with an Independant specialist, I am sure they could point you in the right direction and may do a fault diagnostics quite cheaply as it only really takes a few minutes to perform.

 

[Yeti]

Yeah, the 310 is the 312 without the intercooler, basically. But there's definately no MAF that I can see.

I can see the MAP sensor (on the plastic pipe above the radiator) and the air temp sensor (in the pipe, below the MAP sensor) but that's it.

There's no roughness, misfiring or anything, it's just gutless, and the turbo boosts to around .4 of a bar below what it used to (.2 at rest), and the rev limits really low. No EDC light showing either though. It's doing my head in!

 

[Yeti]

No more clues for my one?

Definately no MAF, and I've just taken the ECU out and checked for water ingress, and cleaned up all the earth points just in front of it (under the headlight) and cleaned all the connectors in the pouch there (to the diesel pump).

Already checked the air filter, pressure tested the intercooler and piping, turbo seems fine.

When it was fine, boost at rest would reach 0.6 bar, up to 0.9-1 bar when under load, now it's only 0.4 bar and 0.6 bar, and even adjusting the wastegate arm won't make it go any higher.

Seems like it's definately the fuelling.

Anyone any idea what sort of reading I should get from the MAP sensor, or where the water temp. sensor for the ECU is?

thanks.

 

[Lespatcher]

Yeti, 312D low power fixed? What did you do, please?

No more clues for my one?

Definately no MAF, and I've just taken the ECU out and checked for water ingress, and cleaned up all the earth points just in front of it (under the headlight) and cleaned all the connectors in the pouch there (to the diesel pump).

Already checked the air filter, pressure tested the intercooler and piping, turbo seems fine....

My 312D has same lack of power (like when turbo boost pipe comes off). Engine runs smooth around town but totally embarrassing on hills.
No MAF sensor on 312D? but MAP and thermistor seem OK, plenty of boost pressure, fitted new diesel filter, no warning light (odometer blinking while vehicle moving is annoying but irrelevant?) no manual arrived yet, long wait for Bosch workshop appointment - ideas please, anyone?

I'd also like to try fault code reading; have info for reader etc but dont see pin numbers for round connector by bonnet release - which is pin 1, 2..?
Any help appreciated.

 

[dava]

I'll list some common faults on the 310 and 312 Sprinters, you pick the bones out to siut your vehicle problems.

1 The wiring harness that runs left to right across the bulk head, white multi plug under master cyl, rubs through on the manifold above the pollen filter and this harness goes to the ECU and plays tricks with it and loses power, also possibly causing the speedo to flash.

2 The black plastic bag next to the battery sometimes turns upside down and fills with water causing corrosion to connectors in there and this stops the boost pressure sensor working, it has top on it make sure it's at the top.

3 Intercooler splits, sometimes down the sides but it also splits in the centre so you cant see it and it opens under boost and drops off pressure.

4 Intercooler pipe at the bottom splits, loosing boost but normally gives a woosh type noise.

5 Pipes to vaccum air recirculating come off or split, also used to adjust head lights, check the pipes here as this causes loss of boost.

6 Rack in pump sticks causing lack of power, it does not advance up, but is usually accompanied by excessive black smoke.

Hope this is of help.
Ray

 

[battwell]

sprinter lack of power. turbo dropout, fault codes

a note which nobody else has picked up on yet. drive the van with foot to the floor on gas pedal, press brake pedal lightly with left foot. does turbo drop out instantly? brake pedal switches are notorious for causing these faults and dont think just because brake lights work ok the switch is fine!. also brake light bulb wrong type or corrosion can give the same things. check them out and let me know how you get on.

 

[daz 585]

change the map sensor!!! around £50 from merc "doh" for something the siz\e of a oxo cube, i had a similar prob on my 312, one minute the van would fly, the next time you started it up it waslike a 308 model, gutless, after a lot of messing around i just changed the silly map "turbo boost swith" sensor and the van ran spot on, the map sensor can work one minute then not,,

 

[Lespatcher]

312D lack of power - wire fault - big improvement

dava said: I'll list some common faults on the 310 and 312 Sprinters, you pick the bones out to siut your vehicle problems.

1 The wiring harness that runs left to right across the bulk head, white multi plug under master cyl, rubs through on the manifold above the pollen filter and this harness goes to the ECU and plays tricks with it and loses power, also possibly causing the speedo to flash.

2 The black plastic bag next to the battery sometimes turns upside down and fills with water causing corrosion to connectors in there and this stops the boost pressure sensor working, it has top on it make sure it's at the top.
...

There was a cable-tie around the neck of this blue wire and 2 injector pipes, right hand side of photo, where it comes out of wiring harness. Snipped the tie, could see insulation had rubbed off wire and it was a dead short to the pipes and chassis (black area on bared copper).

I sleeved the blue wire and we have a lot more power now, thank goodness.

Not sure what the sensor switch form the injectors tells the ECU, but van is a bit peppier now.

A lot of the vehicle wiring has this nasty crumbling insulation which is a worry. Earlier I found another really bad section in the connector bag which hangs under the battery:

I uncovered and sleeved these wires too. In same bag the injector control wires were OK, much better quality black shiny insulation.
I want to check that the associated sensors and ECU inputs still work; they may have shorted to the heavier wire (yellow) which energises the starter solenoid - a brutish bit of electricity to get mixed with delicate sensors and ECU inputs...

At least we can use our campervan again; gets to 100kph now, just!

Thanks dava, yeti, others for your help.

 

[dava]

Nice to be of help, kinda thought it might be that area as it's a common fault and to be fair it's a while since I worked on them and had to rack my memory.
Thanks for the thanks and I'm sure the rest who imputted feel the same.

 

[phasesonix]

a note which nobody else has picked up on yet. drive the van with foot to the floor on gas pedal, press brake pedal lightly with left foot. does turbo drop out instantly? brake pedal switches are notorious for causing these faults and dont think just because brake lights work ok the switch is fine!. also brake light bulb wrong type or corrosion can give the same things. check them out and let me know how you get on.

hi,

where abouts is the brake light switch?

Thanks,loz

 

[dava]

Early models, pre 2000 did not have a real problem with brake light switches only 2000 onwards cdi models. Oh and when it is faulty it does not always leave a fault code so star wont pick it up.

 

[phasesonix]

Early models, pre 2000 did not have a real problem with brake light switches only 2000 onwards cdi models. Oh and when it is faulty it does not always leave a fault code so star wont pick it up.

Hi,

In the list of common problems for pre 2000 sprinters you posted- You said that the Rack in the pump sticks and causes power loss.

Do you need to take the fuel pump off to fix it?

When you say excessive black smoke do you mean a large black cloud that leaves a black stain on the floor? and at low revs or high revs?

Thanks for your help,

Loz

 

[310dstu]

maf sensor

Hi all

I well pleased, and all thanks to your help. I located the Mass Airflow Sensor (as the van has only just had full sevice and over areas would have been checked or replaced then) and unplugged it to find really good contacts but decided to give them a blast of air and quick clean anyway. Plugged it back up and of i went. Covered about 150 miles in her today with no problems at all. All the power is back right through the rev range and at all speeds!! Happy Days!!!

Thanks again.

hi there i have exactly the same problem can you please tell me where you located the sensor as i cant find anything and still crawling
thanks
310dstu

 

[jojomecho]

hi there.i have the same problem /loose power-some one told me could be the MAF sensor,but i dont have one,and cant go more than 60-65 mph,and white smoke????????????????????????

 

[shaun 320cdi]

hi,312 models dont have a maf sensor.your problem wiyh white smoke is no.1 injector with the pintel valve on it.