Sprinter 311 and Starting Problem

[adaptoruk]

Hope someone can help.

I've got an 04 311CDi which is generally excellent. However recently I noticed on occasions it would seem the engine speed was governed to around 3000rpm. Not that I want to drive at anything over that as I find fuel consumption excellent below that figure.

The vehicle runs smooth and efficiently but a few days ago refused to start after one delivery. Normally it starts at the touch of the key. But this time not. After a few attempts it fired into life and shortly afterwards I had pulled over for a break. At which point I lifted the bonnet and just released the vent on the fuel filter housing just in case there may have been air or even a build up of water. There was a spurt of fuel and the engine cut out. At no point after that would any fuel come through on turning over the engine.

I called out a commercial specialist company and they could get no fuel through either. After being towed to their workshops and theorising the problem was probably the fuel pump. The lines were checked from the tank and all was clear but still no fuel.

They then connected their electronic diagnostic equipment and the thing showed 6 errors. Some of which were apparently old ones. After resetting the fault codes (without actually knowing what they meant as this was not a Merc dealership) my Sprinter started perfectly. That was last Friday. They promised to check the meaning of the error messages and let me know today (Monday). Monday arrives and back to my business of delivering various products to various companies.

The van ran fine for most of the time but once again came to start after a delivery and no go. Eventually got it started and back to the workshop where they once more plugged in their diag unit and revealed 1 error. They are not sure what the codes mean as Mercedes will not help them out with any interpretation. But it does seem fairly certain it is an electrical issue with a sensor or something.

I was just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar or has an idea to help before I reluctantly re-mortgage and book into a Merc workshop.

Of course the sickener is warranty just expired 1st September.

Sorry it's a bit long winded but hope someone might just have an idea.

 

[dava]

Pressure regulator on the end of the rail, two torx screws hold it in, common fault. As fo the warranty they'll still give you something.

 

[adaptoruk]

dava

It's a real pain. I've had to leave it running all day today as it tokk ages to restart after my first delivery.

Many thanks for your reply. I'll give that a look at and report back.

Regards

 

[dava]

If you give me the fault codes I'll tell you what they are, if your handy with the spanners, take it out of the end of the rail and check the 'o' ring, if this is damaged in any way it will give you bad starting, due to pressure loss. The other thing is a faulty injector, which also gives bad starting, as it is open and cannot maintain the pressure to restart.

Hope it helps

There still the best van on the road.

 

[dava]

Another tip is to buy a can of 'sniff', aerostart and keep it handy for emergencies. It gets you out of a hole, it will start on the sniff and keep running all day but as the fuel system is open, so to speak it cannot get enough pressure to fire and starting on sniff cranks it enough to get this pressure. Just be careful not to use to much, just a quick squirt in the air intake will do.

 

[adaptoruk]

Sprinter 311 and Starting Problem

Dava

Thanks again for the advice.

I have had the O rings checked and replaced, new filter and injectors tested. All is fine with those items but still getting the problem.

I assume now it really must be an electrical fault but I suppose locating what it is could prove to be a bit tricky.

Sometimes it will run fine but mostly it runs at maximum of 3500rpm

Thanks for the tip about the Easy Start. I thought those days had gone!

Regards
Trev

 

[dava]

I'm confused I not sure what the actual problem is, the 3k rpm is normally a stop light switch, this limits them to this, it's to stop toe heel driving, there's also one on the clutch but they dont normally go wrong. However it might be worth checking the stop lamps as I've had the same fault come up, ie, stop light switch, with a blown bulb, so check that. If you could give me a better description I'll do my best, also if you have any fault codes I'll interprate them for you and it might point me in the right direction. The bit thats confusing me is that the non start and the limp home is not normally connected, if they start the will rev, more info would be nice.

 

[adaptoruk]

Thanks again. I recall one of the error codes refered to 'Camshaft Position Sensor' on 2 occasions over recent days.

I am pretty sure the brake lights are working okay but will check them tomorrow.

It seems that when in limp mode and I switch engine off it's then that it won't restart for 30mins or so. The engine is never caned and doesn't get too hot, usually shows just over 80 degrees

Hope that helps a bit more

 

[dava]

Well thats a new one. Anyhow here's my thoughts, we run a big fleet and never changed one of these, however, I think it's worth taking the black plastic cover of the top of the engine,(rocker cover) 5 mm allem keys and checking the wire and connections to it, it's at the front of the engine. If you get the cover off and it's all black crud around it then thats more likey to be your fault as the crud is carbon and soaked in diesel and may be shorting out the sensor and bringing up the fault code. Like I said I've never fitted one, or known of one going, so that says it all for me. They are prone to having crud under there and it would go along with the non start as this is also caused by leaking injectors, causing a loss in pressure and difficulty starting. Check any assoiciated wiring going to this sensor and if you can get back to me with any other findings.

 

[adaptoruk]

Dava

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions.

It appears the problem has been solved and fixed. I have come across a mobile guy, who specialises in Sprinters. He suggested and fitted a new Camshaft Position Sensor today and all is now well. He attempted to fit one on Monday but Mertrux sent out the wrong part after they were issued with the chassis number. Apparently there are two of these things available but they sent the wrong one.

Anyway it hasn't faulted at all today, so fingers crossed.

Thanks again

 

[dava]

Nice to be of help. Thats what all of this is about.