Taxi Driver Online

I've had a problem with my vito for the past month or so, every couple of days when the engine is warm it's taking 5 or 6 turns of the starter motor to start the engine. It's great from cold or hot. If I leave it about 15 mins this happens ! I've had a full service thinking it might be the filters but it still happens. Had a bottle of forte injector cleaner put through the system as well. Starter motor was new a few months ago, alternater is fine as well. Battery has been checked and while not great was still 'serviceable' according to the tester. Have had full diagnostics done and comes up clear. Checking on the Merc forums it could be camshaft/ crankshaft sensors, fuel flow regulator, fuel injector leaking the fuel back to the tank, ( although these should show up on diagnostics) also, o-rings on the common rail may need renewing. I have finally sorted it this week after digging deep into the aforementioned Merc forums, anyone want to guess the solution ??

You stopped using crap fuel

Only ever use VPower, have been for the last twelve months, have NEVER used supermarket fuel.

needed a dealer-only ECU Bios update?

the MK3 Tdci mondeos did exactly the same

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

It turns out it was the battery after all. Even though it sounded fine when turning the starter motor over and the tester said it was ok, it seems the vito's are very sensitive to the Volts/amps being used. If it's not correct the ecu won't send the signal to the pump. Why it sent it after several attempts at starting I have no idea, I would have thought the battery would have been getting weaker.
It could have been worse, the guy on the Merc forum spent almost a grand on a new pump and common rail. All it cost me was £90 for a new battery with a three year guarantee.

The current drain to turn the starter is highest in the first churn, then it settles back a bit as the starter and engine are rotating...

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

My motor was the same mate, it turned over one morning but wouldn't start for love nor money. RAC came out and tested the battery and said it's a dud one. Got one from the Auto Factors and problem solved.