1999 Mercedes-Benz Vito 108CDi review from UK and Ireland

Performance was poor and exhaust fumes entering cabin along with bad fuel leak under engine from leaking fuel line. This started at 100000 miles. Engine so compact difficult to determine source of troubles.

Needed to strip auxillaries from top of engine. Under top rocker-cover cover was 2cm thick of substance which looked like road tar. This was caused by blowing fuel injectors and was cause of loss of power and fumes. Time consuming job, but if done carefully can be done for the cost of four washers. Secret is to scrape off the tar as best you can and then leave to soak in coca-cola for two days to loosen the remnants. Then with a bit of care the injectors can be worked free without breaking them (expensive!). Make sure debris does not fall down the threaded hole where the injector clamp was fixed as when you refit these bolts the debris can pierce the water jacket directly underneath (expensive!).Clean the injector of tar and replace the small copper washer. Refit making sure you have also wiped the seat where the washer sits in the rocker cover/cylinder head. The return of power is great. It's a pain in the bum, but worth the trouble. Mercedes are fully aware of this problem and have since changed the design. Hope this helps.