Mercedes 316 not revving?

[LostinWales]

Hi all, first trip out in our AT Scout with 316 2700cc engine. It seems to be asthmatic over 2500 rpm, and short of power on any sort of hill ( we do live in N Wales though). Anyone experienced this? 2006 model with less.rhan 19k on the clock.
Starts and runs fine, cruises in 5th at 55 along the flat.

 

[paddymcc]

I have the same engine and that doesn't sound right. Mine has plenty of power up the rev range. But I'm not a mechanic so I won't confuse things further by offering my tuppence worth

 

[Figaro]

Fuel filter and air filter ?
After that turbo wastegate stuck ?
I have a Fiat and had a stick wastegate, gave similar symptoms but maybe not do severe. Easy fix though on a Fiat, MB, not sure

 

[RobertJary]

Is your Merc going into limp home mode? We had the same problem on our 2005, OM612 2700cc 416 at 40,000 miles; wouldn't pull on the slightest of uphill inclines. It would only crawl up a hill. We ended up having a new turbo installed which fixed the problem; pulls like the proverbial train.

It would appear that low mileage is the problem. The turbo vanes stick and don't provide the boost that the engine is expecting. It's not a high mileage issue as I drove my e-class estate for 342,000 miles in 10 years on the same turbo.

 

[SM0129]

Have you changed the fuel filter recently? Sometimes an old filer can prevent enough fuel getting into the system. It doesnt necessarily mean it is blocked with dirt, more the structure of the filler gives up

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[LostinWales]

Is your Merc going into limp home mode? We had the same problem on our 2005, OM612 2700cc 416 at 40,000 miles; wouldn't pull on the slightest of uphill inclines. It would only crawl up a hill. We ended up having a new turbo installed which fixed the problem; pulls like the proverbial train.

It would appear that low mileage is the problem. The turbo vanes stick and don't provide the boost that the engine is expecting. It's not a high mileage issue as I drove my e-class estate for 342,000 miles in 10 years on the same turbo.

Ours is 2006 and under 19000 miles, I think either the wastegate or MAF sensor. Have ordered an OBD II adapter for my reader, will see what comes up. Strangely, when we set out this morning back for home, it had full power for about 15 miles, then dropped down to under 3000rpm again. No engine management light is showing.....

 

[Rapido925M]

On approximately 4 occasions over 20y my 2.7 Mercedes engine has lost power suddenly. The first time it happened I limped to a car park, fiddled under the bonnet, sprayed WD40 etc then headed for home, only to discover that it was fine.

Since then I have found that sometimes there is a difficult to identify electrical fault which short circuits the turbo. Switch off and switch back on (even while driving round the M25) and all is well.

Could that be your problem?

Gordon

 

[pagey]

Check your stop light bulbs and wiring ie if you touch the foot brake while you are accelerating it will cut off your power is this what you are experiencing

 

[LostinWales]

Check your stop light bulbs and wiring ie if you touch the foot brake while you are accelerating it will cut off your power is this what you are experiencing

Not today, no. Only after flat running, into 30 limit. Came out again onto unrestricted, now power.

 

[LostinWales]

Have you changed the fuel filter recently? Sometimes an old filer can prevent enough fuel getting into the system. It doesnt necessarily mean it is blocked with dirt, more the structure of the filler gives up

No, van is new to us, first time out, recently serviced - sooty exhaust though

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[Carpmart]

Sooty exhaust and low power would suggest too much fuel and not enough air so would lead me towards loss of boost pressure. Either wastegate not closing properly or more likely, a split/loose or damaged turbo pipe or intercooler/pipe…

 

[LostinWales]

Sooty exhaust and low power would suggest too much fuel and not enough air so would lead me towards loss of boost pressure. Either wastegate not closing properly or more likely, a split/loose or damaged turbo pipe or intercooler/pipe…

That has possibilities except a split pipe would mean no periods of good running? But, the OBD II plug arrives today, lets hope my ELM327 throws up a code or two

 

[Carpmart]

That has possibilities except a split pipe would mean no periods of good running? But, the OBD II plug arrives today, lets hope my ELM327 throws up a code or two

Hot side pressure leak. If it runs okay until engine warm, it would suggest boost loss from something that leaks boost when expanded, poor pipe connection etc

 

[KUSKUS]

I had a similar problem and it ended up being the solenoid valve under the air filter box was not working correctly.
I changed fuel and air filters and maff sensor first also changed perished rubber pipe from solenoid valve to turbo actuator.
It's been ok since.

 

[DavidG58]

We have the 3.0 Merc but had exactly this problem some years ago

Only ever happened under load, even slight incline, I got to sense when it went through the engine note

Intermittent but typically always OK for first few miles, ours always brought on the engine management light a few seconds after losing power. Always reset by turning ignition off and back on, but became unsafe to drive

New turbo sorted problem, but was a major job on our A class, had to remove gearbox for access, total cost with service nearly £5K 5 years ago

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[KUSKUS]

Any Luck with your ELM327 code reader? I spoke to a specialist when I was having problems with mine and he said it wasn't as simple as plugging in a scanner , had to do pin outs ?
I was advise I would have to find a Mercedes Benz dealer or Independent with access to MB computer.

 

[RobertJary]

Does your Mercedes have an OBD2 port? Our 2005 has a 14 pin circular diagnostic port which needs an adapter to convert to a standard OBD2 port. Most eBay cables only have 4 pins connected not all 14.

Our turbo was changed through the bonnet opening. Total cost last year was just under £900.

 

[RobertJary]

If you have black smoke, it’s over fuelling. Try checking the air filter.

 

[LostinWales]

Any Luck with your ELM327 code reader? I spoke to a specialist when I was having problems with mine and he said it wasn't as simple as plugging in a scanner , had to do pin outs ?
I was advise I would have to find a Mercedes Benz dealer or Independent with access to MB computer.

Sort of.
I bought a plug converter off ebay, the pins were too large in diameter, so I sent it back. Got one off Amazon which fits snugly. But... the ELM reader from ELM products will only connect to my Mk1 Focus and seems to want differing Bluetooth Pairing Codes for each vehicle. I have not successfully connected to with my Hyundai i40 or the Sprinter. However, I am gettind Red AMber Green flashing lighs from the reader, so at least it is getting power, so I think the plug converter is good.
I have now ordered the same ELM as I had previously now lost and gone forever.
Pity I left my previous ELM reader plugged into my Jaguar XK8 when I sold it last year, that never failed to pair with my phone.
Other point: I use the paid version of Torque Pro on my Android phone. There are some settings which affect connectivity so have a play. I created a specific profile for the Sprinter so it does not overwrite my other vehicles history data.

So, we shall see. I have only invested 25 quid in the whole thing so far, and I needed another reader anyway, see idiotic loss above.
In theory, EU manufactured vehicles must be OBD2 compliant

 

[LostinWales]

Does your Mercedes have an OBD2 port? Our 2005 has a 14 pin circular diagnostic port which needs an adapter to convert to a standard OBD2 port. Most eBay cables only have 4 pins connected not all 14.

Our turbo was changed through the bonnet opening. Total cost last year was just under £900.

Yes, I am in touch with Diagnostic World.com for their recommendation

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[LostinWales]

We have the 3.0 Merc but had exactly this problem some years ago

Only ever happened under load, even slight incline, I got to sense when it went through the engine note

Intermittent but typically always OK for first few miles, ours always brought on the engine management light a few seconds after losing power. Always reset by turning ignition off and back on, but became unsafe to drive

New turbo sorted problem, but was a major job on our A class, had to remove gearbox for access, total cost with service nearly £5K 5 years ago

I would hope not new turbo, suspect electrical contact issues or perishing rubbers leaking air as little use over last 16 year. Under 19000 miles!

 

[Zains Pops]

I would expect an issue with turbo boost. Hopefully the code reader will help you.
I had a similar problem with turbo boost malfunctioning.
A 2006 with less than 20k has hardly been used and almost certainly has a carbon build up in the system. Try a tank of premium diesel with high level of detergent or an additive like

Archoil AR6400-D MAX Professional Diesel Engine, Turbo, DPF & CAT Cleaner Concentrate - 400ml​

available on Amazon.
Helped resolve my issues, add the high detergent fuel and give it a real good ‘Italian tune up‘

 

[LostinWales]

I would expect an issue with turbo boost. Hopefully the code reader will help you.
I had a similar problem with turbo boost malfunctioning.
A 2006 with less than 20k has hardly been used and almost certainly has a carbon build up in the system. Try a tank of premium diesel with high level of detergent or an additive like

Archoil AR6400-D MAX Professional Diesel Engine, Turbo, DPF & CAT Cleaner Concentrate - 400ml​

available on Amazon.
Helped resolve my issues, add the high detergent fuel and give it a real good ‘Italian tune up‘

I used cleaner on my Petrol XK8 as it was not used much, eliminated the hesitancy. I will give this a go, thanks

 

[DavidG58]

I would hope not new turbo, suspect electrical contact issues or perishing rubbers leaking air as little use over last 16 year. Under 19000 miles!

I hope not for your wallets sake, ours was 8 years old and under 20K miles

Ours had only done 2K miles when we bought it 3 years old , low mileage / use isn’t necessarily good.

 

[Winger]

On approximately 4 occasions over 20y my 2.7 Mercedes engine has lost power suddenly. The first time it happened I limped to a car park, fiddled under the bonnet, sprayed WD40 etc then headed for home, only to discover that it was fine.

Since then I have found that sometimes there is a difficult to identify electrical fault which short circuits the turbo. Switch off and switch back on (even while driving round the M25) and all is well.

Could that be your problem?

Gordon

Thank you so much Gordon, yesterday whilst returning from Shell Island I had similar problem that you highlighted in a 2016 post and limped home the remaining 80 miles and then went rummaging on this forum to discover all I had to do was stop, turn off and restart.
I couldn’t test your theory last night as I was drowning my sorrows over the thought that I may need a new turbo!
Imagine the grin on my face this morning when I went for a test drive to discover all is well again
How wonderful this forum is

Rapido925M

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[r9peggy]

Boast control valve I had several on my merecedes Rapido
I have a brand new Mercedes’ part that I didn’t fit as changed to the dark side Fiat cost £150 in may you can have it for £100 based in Stafford

 

[LostinWales]

Yes, I am in touch with Diagnostic World.com for their recommendation

Unfortunately, no easy cheap diagnostic - very specific to Mercedes and £800 from dodgy Chinese software.

 

[LostinWales]

An answer, at least for me.
I took the van to Three Point Automotive in llandudno Junction. Very professional, and honest.
A duff transducer outside of parameters in the intake A 904 153 31 28 was changed (£28) and that allowed the OBD2 to properly find the real cause, which was a vacuum unit on the inlet side affecting turbo operation. This unit was NOT a Merceses original fit, so someone had had issues before. Cost of proper OEM unit £228. Total bill with labour £420. Van runs sweet as a nut now, just did a 750 mile round trip from Wales down to Essex. Now getting full power and around 26mpg at 60mph on cruise control.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[LostinWales]

Boast control valve I had several on my merecedes Rapido
I have a brand new Mercedes’ part that I didn’t fit as changed to the dark side Fiat cost £150 in may you can have it for £100 based in Stafford

Bugger, I wish you had posted this a couple of weeks ago!

 

[LostinWales]

Pic of the replaced units.....

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