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Greetings, everybody.

Sorry for the lengthy message, but I'm seeking assistance with the problems I'm facing with a 2015 LWB Sprinter in the UK. I will send the necessary information below.

The van is a 3.5-tonne vehicle with a 313 CDI engine, rear-wheel drive, and a B906 model. It has a 2143cc engine with a power output of 95KW (129HP) and is equipped with the OM 651.940 and OM 651.955 engines. To provide some background, the vehicle in question is a previously owned UPS van that has been well maintained. I have had this item for around 18 months, having purchased it directly from the manufacturer. It has been functioning really well during this duration. Several small tasks were completed throughout the period.

The issues seem to have emerged promptly after the recent servicing of the vehicle. Initially, I was informed via telephone that this would be a significant maintenance procedure, considering the mileage of 94k. However, the garage later revised it to a routine service after doing a thorough evaluation.

This is the procedure that was communicated to me in a confirmation email.

The cost of the oil, specifically designed for the vehicle, is £90.00.
The cost of sundries is £13.00.
The oil filter costs £6.68.
The cost of the air filter is £14.58.
The cost of the pollen filter is £12.96.
The cost of labour is £72.00 and the cost of the gasoline filter is £50.00.

The van was serviced around three months ago and has remained mostly stationary since then, with only three to four extremely brief 5-minute trips. As a result, there are no apparent or immediate indications of any problems. During the van's first extended drive after the servicing, which lasted around 45 minutes, issues started to arise. As I approached my destination, a red alert on the dashboard appeared, indicating that I needed to reduce the amount of engine oil. Soon after the van began to have engine problems, it proceeded to sputter and jerk, maintaining a speed of about 30 miles per hour. Additionally, the tachometer displayed erratic behaviour, rapidly fluctuating between 3,000 and 4,000 revolutions per minute, despite the absence of pressure on the accelerator pedal. Subsequent warnings promptly displayed on the dashboard at this moment. Attend a session on Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and Traction Control.

I stopped the vehicle, but the brakes were unusually resistive, like the sensation of braking on ice, throughout the whole incident. A roadside technician promptly arrived. The oil level was checked using a dipstick, which proved that it was too high. The precise measurement is difficult to determine, although it seemed to be around 4-5 millimetres over the maximum threshold. The oil was thereafter drained via the sump located at the side of the road until the level reached the midpoint between the minimum and maximum levels. Subsequently, we proceeded to drive around the neighbourhood and encountered a recurrence of the incident. The technician was perplexed, spending around 40 minutes examining the issue before accompanying me back to my residence. Curiously, the van did not have the same occurrence even once on my journey back home.

Subsequently, I reached out to the garage that performed the repair to elucidate the situation, including all the symptoms and the very high oil level that occurred after the service - an occurrence that was seen by two individuals. I received a cold and unhelpful answer, in which they demanded photographic proof of the excessive oil level. Despite having a witness, I found this request to be peculiar and I did not possess the required documentation. Consequently, I made the decision to seek other options for independent diagnostics instead of returning to them. Although it may not be pertinent or significant, the only change that occurred to the car after it departed from the service facility and completed 3-4 first brief trips was that I filled the gasoline tank to its maximum capacity on the day of my lengthy travel.

It has subsequently been taken to a reputed mechanic in Ayrshire, Scotland. An individual who has been employed by Mercedes for over 10 years, however has been unable to ascertain the precise nature of the situation or identify the underlying reason. Curiously, no warning indicators were shown on the dashboard throughout the approximately 15-minute journey to his location. According to the diagnostic machine, the car requires a rear ABS sensor. Additionally, the readings for all four injectors were inconsistent, as stated by the mechanic. He was certain that there was fuel present in the oil, which resulted in an increase in the oil level. Additionally, he suspects that the injectors may not be effectively controlling the flow of fuel. He believes that the leakage is occurring within rather than outside, if that is understandable. In addition, he expressed his observation that the oil was unusually transparent and raised doubts about whether the service garage had used the appropriate oil. How can I ascertain or substantiate this without engaging the original service facility? He suggested that I bring it to another garage in Ayrshire that specialises in industrial cars, rather than a Mercedes-Benz dealership.

The user said that he had seen one injector behaving similarly in his own Mercedes Vito vehicle, but he did not express any worry about it as his van was functioning well. He advised that the van was OK for driving short distances, but cautioned to monitor its condition and promptly take it to the nearest mechanic. I had made a reservation for it, but regrettably, I used the van again the next day for business purposes, due to the need, and drove it for around 20-30 minutes. Although the weather was not unusually warm, the identical event as the original occurred again. The ABS and EPS lights illuminated on the dashboard, there was spluttering, and the rev counter fluctuated wildly. These symptoms persisted until I either changed gears, pressed the accelerator harder, or came to a halt.

The oil level alert has ceased to show after the first occurrence, despite the oil being emptied. However, the engine continues to have the same issues. It is important to note that I have been asked this issue several times, but there has been no smoke emitted from the exhaust throughout this whole period. There are no odours or sounds emanating from the engine. Alternative hypotheses include that the turbocharger may have malfunctioned. Van has seen a decrease in energy and responsiveness since the beginning of this situation. Issues often manifest when the engine attains a certain temperature, particularly after extended journeys.

I would really appreciate any insights or suggestions, as it is rather peculiar and coincidental that this issue has arisen soon after the use of this service, especially considering its previous flawless performance.

Van will be transported to the next suggested garage tomorrow, and I will provide an update whenever I get further information.

Thank you.

I hope that you are able to address the difficulties. While I lack expertise in this area, a crucial factor to consider may be the behaviour of the rev-counter. If it is done by hand. It is possible that the clutch was sliding while the engine speed was fluctuating, which might have been caused by the turbocharger supplying oil into the intake and affecting the engine's operation. You ultimately managed to regain control by using the brakes, despite their lack of responsiveness. Nevertheless, the presence of smoke would have been observable if this were the issue. If your vehicle had been equipped with an automatic gearbox, I believe you would not have successfully evaded detection or punishment for your actions. Presumably, this incident has not caused any harm to the engine, but I would advise not driving it until the issue has been resolved.

Thank you, The manual gearbox is experiencing abnormal behaviour, namely with the clutch, both in the past and present occurrences.

Was an oil flush performed at the first service? Typically, the oil tends to darken significantly after just a few miles of driving.
Malfunctions in the battery might also result in anomalous readings on the dashboard.

Indeed, as it was a complete service, I assume that the oil was thoroughly flushed out and changed. I would certainly expect that to be the case! The battery was replaced a few months ago and has been used hardly since then.

A concise although inconclusive update.

I have installed two new rear ABS sensors on both sides, but the issue remains unresolved. After installing them, I took it for a 5-minute drive and at one point, the rpm counter dramatically increased. All caution indicators have returned to the dashboard. The ABS, ESP, Visit workshop, and Traction control systems are activated.

I would have been really astonished if it had been as straightforward as an ABS sensor, and I believed that to be the case.

We need to start again and come up with a new plan. I believe the next destination will be the Mercedes-Benz dealership, although with some reluctance, at some point this week.

An update is better received late than never, and I apologise for the delay. Occasionally, life's circumstances might hinder progress. My mother was unwell and then died away, which obviously shifted my focus and priorities for an extended period of time.

If this information is relevant or valuable to future readers of this post, it was determined that the issue was caused by a defective rear ABS speed sensor, as identified by a local specialist who is not officially affiliated with Mercedes-Benz, using his diagnostic equipment. I personally replaced both components to ensure that the problems were rectified. I have not had any indications of potential injector problems since then. The timing of the service seems to have been coincidental, but I continue to get the "reduce oil level" alert occasionally on the dashboard, which started immediately after that service. The oil level was over filled at the last service, however it has been corrected and is now at an appropriate level. I want to eventually replace the oil level sensor, since I am certain that this issue is connected to it. This specific van, which is a camper, is not often driven.

Thank you.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies at the passing of your Mother.

I'm pleased to hear that you were able to resolve the issue with your Van as well.

I appreciate your kind words.

Regarding the oil level sensor, I had a similar problem with my own vehicle. However, in my case, the issue was caused by two damaged piston rings, resulting in excessive oil consumption. Is it possible to do a compression test before replacing the level sensor? Alternatively, is the oil level satisfactory and is the warning persistently reappearing?

Apologies for your issue, however it seems that my scenario differs in that the oil level does not decrease. I am aware that the volume of oil increases as its temperature rises, nevertheless, it should not be triggering the sensor in my case. I will just substitute it and see whether it resolves the issue. I will provide an update after I have completed the task, but there is no need to do so immediately.