Sprinter with Starting problem

[jezt]

I have a 2003 Sprinter 311 which will not start when either cold or warm. After a run, if you switch it off and try to immediately start it, it turns but will not fire. The only way we have found to start it is to remove the top pipe from the engine and spray carb cleaner inside. This morning, even after spraying with carb cleaner, it took nearly 20 minutes to start.

We have called the RAC out a couple of times and 2 different techs have said it could be the disel pump, but if that was the case I can't see how the carb cleaner would get it started.

Any ideas folks?

Cheers,
Jez.

 

[jaymanek]

hmm i would have said crank position sensor but i dont understand the carb cleaner... has to be a fuelling issue.

Diesel pumps can leak letting air in so not letting it start.

 

[grober]

Carb cleaner is a volatile hydrocarbon mix a bit like Bradex easy start which contains the highly inflamable low flash point di-ethyl&isopropyl ethers/acetone/ isohexane and propane. £3-99 from Halfords. Bradex Easy Start 300ml from Halfords Price £3.99
You just have to look at that stuff for it to ignite!

 

[BlackC55]

It sound like a possible injector leaking off.

 

[wagger 1]

either injector leaking as above or seals on fuel pressure regulator at rear of rail. any good diesel shop / garage will know how to check, if you have good basic knowledge & tools i can talk you though some steps to figure out whats the problem.

 

[jezt]

Yes, please, would love some step to tryand fix. Both times it improves, but now it's worse than ever.

 

[Mr Squirrel]

A few years ago, i had a 2004 311 sprinter and this problem happened to me on just a couple of 'hit and miss' occasions within the first few months of getting it (delivery mileage)
About 6 months in, our fleet was recalled by MB for an 'injector problem'... I understand they replaced all the seals within the injector system.

The problem never happened again.

 

[nick mercedes]

Any ideas folks?

Take it to an indi and get it mended?

It sounds like it's only going to get worse.

 

[jezt]

Not sure if milage has anything to do with it, but its 76k

Cheers,
Jez.

 

[ABBY]

hi have you checked heater plugs?
cheers Abby

 

[wagger 1]

1st thing to check for is injector leakoff.

Step
1, remove black induction tubes from top of engine
2, remove black plastic engine cover
3, remove injector leak off pipes, block pipe off behind no4 injector
4, get another bod to come & turn key
5, observe fuel flow rate from injectors while being cranked over on key any injector with more than just the sligthtest amount of fuel leaking out is faulty. replace injector & get code from new injector for coding can be done after you get it running again by using das.
6, if no fuel leaking from any injector remove fuel pressure regulator on back of rail, check seals on regulator (Must be perfect) new seals come in a little kit for a few quid.

see how you get on with that & report back. hope you get it sorted