Vito puzzle- can anyone help please?

[Sarnian]

My 2002 Vito 108cdi began to refuse to start occasionally when hot over 6 months ago. I took it to a fuel injection specialist after the local garage couldn't help and they checked the injectors and rail pressure and found no problems. They did bring up code 1354 snc camshaft to crankshaft. I fitted a new camshaft sensor and the problem disappeared. Three thousand or so miles later it came back and grew steadily worse, so that the engine would not start almost every time when it was at normal temperature. but would restart as soon as it cooled down. I should say that the engine has always run well, with no odd noises and good fuel economy. Recently, the problem has got much worse. The van now cuts out when running when up to normal temperature, as well as refusing to restart. I took it back to the same fuel injection specialist who found no obvious problems, but code 1354 kept reappearing. The van refused to start when I picked it up, came back on a flat bed truck and hasn't started since. The only suggestion the garage had was that the timing chain might have stretched and/or the tensioner failed causing the fault code. They suggested replacing the chain or first trying heavier grade oil. I'm completely stuck about what to do next! Any ideas gratefully received.

 

[Marku]

Can't believe that it can be anything mechanical. A stretched timing chain would cause significant and very obvious problems. So that would only leave it as an electronic cause given the number of sensors on these engines. Have you actually had it on a Star machine? Would cost about £80 at an MB commercial dealer but should flag up everything. I must admit that I do nothing on the Viano leaving it all to the local MB dealer who I have no complaints of, are very helpful and whose prices have come down. So perhaps you might find one and throw yourself on their mercy.

 

[Sarnian]

Thanks for that. It hasn't been to a MB dealer, but it has been on a STAR machine twice now, each time with the same code returning. Could there be a problem with the electronics, with the cam sensor and crankshaft sensor not communicating properly? I'm probably clutching at straws here, but the timing chain seems to be a duplex one and pretty robust and I'm finding it hard to believe that it can be so worn at a comparatively low mileage.

 

[E270 Owner]

Its possible they fitted a cheap sensor and it has failed.

Get a genuine MB sensor if they didn't fit one before.