new convert. engine wont go above 2k revs, starting isses+cut out a few times.

[Andy at Focallocal]

Hi, i'm planning to drive to Vietnam from the UK in my Sprinter and soo far things arent going well and i'd love some advice.

it started driving beautifully, no probs at all for around 2k. Now i have the EDC and pump dashboard lights come on as soon as i switch to WVO and the engine generally go above 2k revs (on diesel too). has cut out completely 4 times while driving (on WVO) and sounds sick when starting.

1st i thought it was going into limp home mode as it cut off exactly at 2k revs and went back to normal after a while driving on diesel. Now its permanent and the engine occasionally goes over 2k revs on deisel so i worry its something far worse.


i changed the air filter, oil, oil filter and fuel filter. no change. i have bought a lift pump, but it hasnt arrived yet. i'm thinking perhaps the injectors are clogged ..or the engine is damaged. trying to go over 2k revs i get around 3 secs of power then 0.5 secs of nothing - where i can feel the engine breaking kicking in.

its a 2002 311 CDI Mercedes Sprinter with a 2 tank conversion and oil filtered to 5 microns, twice.

can anyone recognise the issue and suggest a solution? if i replace the injectors will it just happen again in 2k miles?

all advice much appreciated,
Thanx, Andy

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[bro_montana]

I don't know much about diesel cars but it sounds like an problem with an ignition/fuel component. Does your car have a distributor?

[bhazard]

Originally Posted by bro_montana

I don't know much about diesel cars but it sounds like an problem with an ignition component. Does your car have a distributor?

HAHAAHAHAHAHA yeah you're right, you don't know much about diesels :P

[bro_montana]

Originally Posted by bhazard

HAHAAHAHAHAHA yeah you're right, you don't know much about diesels :P

That's right they don't have distributors do they lmao

[Andy at Focallocal]

Originally Posted by bhazard

HAHAAHAHAHAHA yeah you're right, you don't know much about diesels :P

any idea what it might be Bhazard

[bhazard]

Can't really say what it is, I can definitely say its not an "ignition" problem. My best guess is a fuel delivery issue. Better wait for someone more knowledgeable than me though.

[Chrysler kid]

On a gasoline engine I would say you need a new fuel pump.

[Baltothewolf]

It's impossible that it's an ignition problem, a diesel doesn't have spark plugs or any form of arc-ignited system. If the injectors were damaged it wouldn't be limited to 2krpm.

[user removed]

Water in the fuel.
Absolutely garbage wvo.
Plugged filter.
Plugged exhaust system.
Crushed exhaust pipe.
Air filter completely trashed.

Just a few guesses.

regards
mech

[2000mc]

Were all the parts replaced Mercedes / oem brand?
I hated the year I worked on sprinters, the '06 and older seemed to go into limp mode at the drop of a hat it felt like. Had one with a new aftermarket air filter, but it flowed so little the pressure sensor in the air box would show 7" of vacuum just as it went into limp. It was more common to replace a newer looking aftermarket fuel filter with a mecedes one, and have that keep it out of limp.
But what I'm more suspect of, is if you have a good fuel filter, but the wvo requires more vacuum to get through the filter, or upto the filter. If you ordered a lift pump, I'd put that on before digging much further. Otherwise, just keep running straight diesel for now