Description

Mercedes-benz 508 2001 Technical Manual – Fuel Supply & ME-SFI Engine Management

If you’re working on a 2001 Mercedes-benz 508 and find yourself guessing at ME-SFI fuel pressures or cam advance timing, stop. I’ve seen too many engines trashed because someone used aftermarket data that got the cam timing wrong. This is a factory Mercedes-benz Technical Manual – not some reprint. 17 pages, straight from Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, dated 2001. It’s the same binder material their techs studied. You want the cam advance parameters? They’re on page 3. Need the solenoid and control piston layout? Page 5. That’s the difference between a comeback and a done job.

Fuel Supply & ME-SFI: What This Manual Covers

The manual breaks down the Fuel Supply & ME-SFI Engine Management system, then goes into Air Induction & Exhaust (Part 10). These are not generic troubleshooting steps – they’re the exact training modules used at Mercedes-Benz. The table of contents lists “Compressor” and “Recirculating Air Flap” sections that walk you through the charge air path. For a 508, the ME-SFI (Motor Electronic – Sequential Fuel Injection) controller manages fuel delivery based on load and RPM. The manual doesn’t leave you guessing: it shows the wiring strategy and component function. If you’re diagnosing a no-start or lean condition, start here before you touch a multimeter.

Cam Advance Parameters and Mechanism

Page 3 of the 508 manual gives you the cam advance purpose: boost torque and output in the mid/upper engine speed range. It lists engine applications for the 111, 104, 119, and 120 series. Parameters are specific: coolant temperature above 15°C, engine speed and load determine advance. The intake cam can advance ~32° CKA. Below 2000 rpm it stays retarded; between 2000 and 4000 it advances; above 4000 it retards again. That’s not “approximate” – that’s the factory curve. The mechanism section on page 5 shows the solenoid, armature and control piston, cam sprocket, and piston & hub. If you get a P0340 code, those diagrams save you from tearing apart the front cover blind.

Why OEM Documentation Matters for the 508

Third-party manuals lift drawings from old Chilton books and call them “updated”. This Technical Manual is original 2001 Mercedes-Benz material, copyright Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. It warns you outright: “illustrations may not correspond to final US version vehicles. Refer to the official introduction manual and WIS when available.” That’s honesty – they tell you where the gaps are. OEM documentation like this is what separates a professional diag from a parts shotgun. For the 508’s ME-SFI system, aftermarket doesn’t have the cam advance calibration maps or the exact compressor bypass logic. If you want to understand why the recirculating air flap opens under deceleration, this is your source.

3 Systems That Can Break Without Factory Specs

Number one: Fuel supply pressure regulation. The ME-SFI uses a returnless system on later 508s; the manual explains the pressure sensor and pump control. Miss that spec and you lean out a cylinder. Number two: cam advance solenoid operation. The diagrams show the armature and control piston travel. Without that, you’ll misdiagnose a timing chain rattle. Number three: air intake and charging (compressor ducting). The manual covers the compressor and recirculating flap – critical for turbo models. Each of these systems is covered in the 17 pages. Pair it with the Mercedes-Benz 508 Traction Control ESP Technical Manual if your truck has ESP, or the Mercedes-Benz 508 Traction Control ABS Service Manual for brake system logic. For transmission work, the Manual Transmission basics on Wikipedia help, but don’t trust generic torque specs – use the Manual Transmission chapter in the factory manual if you have it.

Use the Manual, Not Guesswork

I’ve been turning wrenches since 1995. The difference between a job that holds and one that haunts you is the spec. This 17-page manual gives you the factory’s internal teaching material for the 2001 508. It’s not a full service manual – you still need WIS for fasteners – but for understanding the ME-SFI, cam advance, and air induction system, it’s the real deal. Don’t let your next diagnosis turn into a parts cannon. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and keep it on your tablet on the bench.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as a service manual?

No, it’s a technical training manual covering Fuel Supply and Air Induction only.

Will this manual help me fix a P0340 code on my 508?

Yes. The cam advance mechanism and solenoid layout on page 5 directly relate to P0340 diagnosis. The manual explains the parameters and components so you can test the circuit and mechanism without guessing. It also shows the engine applications (111, 104, 119, 120) that use this system. For full diagnostic trees, pair it with the Mercedes-Benz 508 ETS-ASR Technical Manual.

Why is the manual only 17 pages?

This is a focused training module from Mercedes-Benz. It targets the ME-SFI system and air induction – not the entire vehicle. The 17 pages contain dense technical diagrams and parameter tables that condense weeks of classroom training into a portable reference. For chassis or electrical systems, you need separate manuals.

What year vehicles does this cover?

2001 model year Mercedes-benz 508 trucks. The copyright date on the manual is 2000, but the document is marked “04-01-01” and states “current as of the date noted”. Only use it for 2001 models.