i was wondering if anyone could help me out,i have a 2003 mercedes sprinter 311cdi,it has 90,000miles on the clock.i have owned the van for two years and had it regularly seviced in that time.Recently it has been struggling to start,at first i thought it was the battery and a new one helped a bit,but it is gradually getting worse again.the starter is turning and turning and it eventually goes but even once it's hot it still struggles.It has had new glow plugs fitted also and this has not helped,and the computer shows no faults!checked fuel system and it seems ok,but it did seem to start not long after service,could there be a problem with the fuel filter and are there different types?i have tried bleeding the fuel line and even fitted a hand pump to make sure it was getting fuel.Apart from that,once it starts it's 'normal',no smoke,noise,etc.i'm at a total loss and so is the garage,but i need the van for work and i just know it's getting to the won't go at all stage!!!any help/things to try would be most appreciated,thanx

mercboy78, August 2007

I had the exact same problem. Van would tow-start and run fine but hot/cold would (rarely) start on the key. I guess one injector had been faulty for a while and the second one failing was the reason it then would not start on the key at all. Mercedes diganosed two injectors leaking back - I replaced them and problem solved.

Terry, November 2007

if it was fuel pressure low that would show up on a diagnostic machine, it will more probley be injectors leaking back, which would give you what your getting, bad startings hot or cold but will run fine in between, ive tested and change loads for that reason

garthy, November 2007

I have got the same problems and tried all that you have been through. mine will not start at all now on the key but will start when bumped. had all the injector pipes off to see what preasure was coming up with a test injector and found no preasure so took the main pump pipe off and found low preasure. so it looks like a new pump. cost? i've got a 2001 -313 had it 3 years with no other problems

Gaz, September 2007