Sprinter Fuel/Warm Start Problems

[Pazuzu]

Hi folks.I'm new here and this is my first post.I've done a quick search and as far as I can tell,this post subject hasn't come up before.But,apologies if it has.
Here goes. Two mates of mine both have Cdi 311 Sprinters on 52 plates and are both suffering the same problem.When the vans are warm and have been left for say,20 mins, they really struggle to start.Cold starts are no problem.One of them has recently had a new pump fitted to try and cure the problem and for a while it seemed to have done the trick.But it's started doing the same thing again.Any ideas? We're all tearing our hair out with it!

Cheers,Glenn.

 

[mister_cee333]

Hi,
I recently had same problem with 308cdi (same engine). It turned out to be a faulty injector. search "sprinter warm start" for the thread.
Incidentally the diesel specialist said he does them every week and they are always between 02-03 plates. Mine is a 52.

 

[Pazuzu]

Cheers! We'll get it checked out.I imagine,though, it'll be a case of replacing all four injectors! We'll see. Thanks again!
Glenn

 

[mister_cee333]

Hi Again,
Having re-read my earlier post I now realise I know more now than when I first posted.
Look at the fuel filter pipes when engine running, on mine there was a very slight flow of small bubbles. Did the same agin with the engine revving and saw a much more concentrated flow of blatantly larger bubbles. This is because the back pressure of the injector passes air to the return circuit which then flows through the return of the fuel filter. (I had a better chance of starting mine after running gently, as opposed to after a motorway run).
(You might need to slide the black plastic shield along the clear pipe a bit to see properly).
On a positive note the specialist I use told me that there is absolutely no way the van would run with more than one injector faulty so might not be as bad as you think.

 

[Pazuzu]

Cheers! We did notice the bubbles but couldn't determine whether this was normal! As it happens, one van is working fine now and the other is completely off the road!! Nightmare!!

Cheers!