Vito splutters when accelerating!

[carl78]

I have a problem with my 2003 vito 108cdi and I just can't seem to find out what it could be so if anyone has an idea I would be grateful to hear what you think it may be.
Just over a year ago I had the injector seals done as they were leaking, then a month or so later I noticed that while driving it would 'splutter/choke' when I accelerated. It only done this now and again and would go for weeks and be fine but it then started doing it more and more and now pretty much does it all the time when I accelerate. However when the van is just ticking over and even if you rev the engine there are no issues and it sounds perfect, it really only does it when driving.
I have had the fuel filter changed and that has made no difference, I have been told it maybe the 'air flow meter sensor' or possibly the egr valve. The last diagnostics that were done came back with no faults found!
I am totally stuck now as I am not prepared to take it to a garage and pay a fortune just for them to spend time looking at it and then to say 'well it could be this or it could be that!' I have spent hours on the internet trying to find out what it is likely to be but as of yet haven't found out so will go back to looking!

 

[sherco450]

the only thing lll be doing before you might eventually get to a garage is remove the air filter cover and inspect all electrical connections , remove blow out with compressed air and spray with contact spray. something may come up.check all hoses are in order . ultimatley you may have to see a mechanic.

 

[Danny DeVito]

Is it possible that you have asr button on the dash ? If so turn it off and drive. When my front tires were unevenly worn i first thought that i had an engine/gearbox problem because when i turned or accelerated it felt like the engine was cutting power, which it was but it was from the asr. The front tires need to be the same amount of wear.

Otherwise as suggested plan a morning to remove the top covers etc and have a look around the injectors pipes etc. and i mean a good look not peeping through cracks with a torch. Diagnostics should be done using STAR machine. Egr should not make much difference. I blocked mine by plugging the pipe. My engine 638.294 does not have a regular sort of maf sensor so i am not sure about yours but if you have one you can unplug it and drive to see if any difference. If you still have no luck then it will probably have to be driven by mechanic with diagnostics plugged in to get live readings.

 

[carl78]

Thanks for your thoughts sherco450. Will be checking the maf so will try a good clean of everything else when I do.

 

[carl78]

Thanks Danny DeVito, no I don't have an asr button. It is reaaly quite baffling because when I had it checked out a couple of weeks ago the mechanic did drive it with the diagnostics machine attached and all it came back was with low fuel pressure so replaced the fuel filter and it now says nothing! Very strange and it seems that a garage doesn't know unless it comes up on the diagnostics. I kind of hoped a proper mechanic would be able to take it for a drive to experience what the van is doing and would have an idea of what is wrong but obviously not as I have now taken it to two different 'diesel specialists' with no luck. Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[Danny DeVito]

Even so with no asr button the system may still be there. Check your tires anyway. Ohterwise maybe look at the plastic fuel pipes they may leak when they are old, like sucking air etc. Many people replace them anyway.

 

[Marku]

Even so with no asr button the system may still be there. Check your tires anyway. Ohterwise maybe look at the plastic fuel pipes they may leak when they are old, like sucking air etc. Many people replace them anyway.

Checking the tyres is a good point. Had got used to the Viano not being quite the good drive I remembered when decided to have them checked. They were worn and unevenly side to side but still legal. Anyway decided to replace them and the difference was considerable it was back to what I remembered.

 

[Danny DeVito]

My tires were not bad but one had about 6 months wear and the other was new. Everytime i turned a little it was like when you tow someone and the car jerks after taking up slack.