Sprinter diesel rough ride points to intake manifold issue

The symptoms you describe, specifically the jerking during acceleration, reduced engine power, rough idling, and the strong exhaust smell in conjunction with the check engine light and stored error code, strongly suggest a potential issue with the intake manifold. A vacuum leak is plausible. Think of your engine as a finely tuned orchestra; if one instrument, in this case, the intake manifold, is out of tune, the whole performance suffers. A leak in the intake manifold can disrupt the delicate balance of air and fuel, leading to engine misfire and poor engine performance. Have you observed any hissing sounds emanating from the engine bay, particularly upon starting the engine or during idle? Inspecting the intake manifold for any visible cracks or damage could also provide clues. Has the engine's fuel consumption increased noticeably? These observations could further solidify the diagnosis.

Thanks for the detailed response! I haven't specifically listened for hissing, but I'll definitely check that out. As for visible cracks, I'm not really sure where to look exactly on the intake manifold. Is there a common spot where these things tend to fail? Also, I hadn't really noticed the fuel consumption, but now that you mention it, I think I might be filling up a bit more often. What does that suggest?

Acknowledged. The increased fuel consumption, coupled with your existing symptoms, definitely strengthens the likelihood of an intake manifold issue. Regarding common failure points, scorching and subsequent leaks often occur around the manifold gaskets or along any plastic seams in the manifold itself. Given the relatively low mileage, it's possible a manufacturing defect or premature material degradation is at play. While visual inspection can sometimes reveal obvious damage, pinpointing the exact location of a vacuum leak can be challenging without specialized equipment such as a smoke tester. Considering the potential severity of the problem and the risk of causing further damage, I recommend consulting a qualified Mercedes-Benz technician. They possess the diagnostic tools and expertise to accurately assess the manifold pressure and perform a thorough inspection of the intake system. It will be faster, and in the long run, likely less costly than trying to resolve it yourself.

Okay, I understand. Thanks for spelling it out. I took it to a mechanic, and you were right. Turns out the intake manifold was leaking due to scorching. They replaced it, and the total cost was 1180€. The jerking, stalling, and rough running are all gone, and the check engine light is off. I really appreciate your help in pointing me in the right direction!