Hello all, new to the forum please excuse me if my question has already been asked, did a search but couldnt find anything. Here we go:
GL 420 V8 diesel 2008 with 95k miles well serviced and maintained, all levels correct. Jumped in to go to the airport, 2hr drive, car felt like it was running at half power, turbos not cutting in and gears changing up very early, normally with easy driving upchanges around 2k revs but on this trip 1500 or less for change up. No warning lights at all.
Car sat at airport for 4 days, started as normal and......drove as normal with no issues.
spoke to main stealer who suggested pressure sensors but admitted they had done very little work on these engines apart from servicing.
Anyone experienced anything similar? All your comments will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

truck tried to learn garbage.

sat for a while, unlearned it.

ignore for now.

if it happens again- it will warrant a closer look.

 

cheers Alx, anyone else had similar issues with this engine?

 

It was in limp mode for some reason.

Does the V8 420 have the same intake flapper motor and dripping oil from the Turbo intake as the 320?

 

Hi NJay, not sure about a flapper, where would I find it and if I did what could it be doing to cause a problem? oil leak....no leaks but will check more closely.
You nailed the feeling, exactly like a limp home mode....dont know if this is a feature of the 420 engine, if it is then could have been some sort of software glitch....not unheard of! Thanks mate.

 

Hi All - any update on what this turned out to be.

Not much 420 knowledge on here and I have the exact same issues. Been intermittent for a few months and not an issue - but now started doing it nearly every time I drive. Thinking it might be the actuator for the turbo (as per 320) but the engine is very different...

 

I would start with the DPF pressure sensor.
It is easy and cheap.

 

Thanks!

will give that a go.

Nathan

 

How did you get on with this? I've just had exactly the same symptoms and the problem is with the intake flaps. It seems the actuator has had enough of pushing the flaps through all the goo that's in there!

 

If the flap motor has really given up and/or the flaps are stuck, you might actually have to pull the manifolds.

I am not there yet, so not sure how to proceed, but if it were me, I would either do it myself, or find the highest volume independent servicer of Sprinter vans in the area.

MB Dealers are a ripoff, and MB specialists don't see enough diesels.

I am at about 180K miles and 13 years and so far my flaps 'seem' to be working fine.

I have no more limp mode problems after the $50 sensor replacement.

 

Hello
I have a 57 plate model, The problems you describe are exactly the same as what happened to me. No warning on the dash and would not rev and changing gear very early.
The problem is the inlet manifold motor broke or stuck with all the black sludge.
Its not to bad a job much easier than the V6 cdi.
I didn't do a any photo's but all the air cleaner has to come off, Drain some coolant to save getting water everywhere.
Take photo's before you start otherwise you may have spare bolts and other items I know!
Remove both fuel rails and pipe running across the top, Then you can start to unbolt the inlet manifold. Don't loose anything when all the ports are open.
While you have the manifold off a good time to replace the oil cooler seals which is underneath the EGR cooler this would not come apart from the EGR valve assembly so that had to come off as well. This was a pain to remove as one unit, But then you can clean out the EGR valves.
The motor is underneath the inlet manifold. Mine still worked but seemed slow at returning. New one bought.
I only replaced the top gasket on the manifold as it got bent trying to prizing it off. This is metal.
This is do-able if you have the time and good tools Snap-on I believe in your country.

In the UK we have cheap copies Snap-on only for the trade.

You will have wiring connectors to remove as well. And a bad back from leaning all the way to the back of the engine.
Another thing cover the gap between the radiator and grill as sockets kept rolling away. And more time wasted.
I'm not a mechanic as you can tell but I have to keep the costs down.

Good luck
David

 

Thanks David, great description. I got mine back together yesterday after changing the intake manifold with a 2nd hand one I bought from ebay and pre-cleaned. I did the minimum though so I didn't go any deeper into the v than that. It was full of sludge and the ports were partially blocked, but I think the real issue was a corroded pin on the actuator connector, as both linkages and swirl flaps were unrestricted, but I don't know how!