Essentially, the flex pipe will (can) have exhaust leaking out- melting any electrical wiring in its path and also forcing the engine to shut down. This reason why engine warning light turns on. Thats a sure way to find yourself stranded and have your adventure grind to a screeching halt.If you are looking for an independent Mercedes-Benz Sprinter specialist in Dallas MB has modernized this gasket to improved material called Viton which prolongs life. This pertains to anyone doing their own conversion or purchasing an existing unit. document.write('lto'); Sprinter VanAdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns out. For example, at 74F in Los Angeles, Diesel Exhaust Fluid has the shelf life of 44 months. (all Bluetec). Mercedes-Benz (and Dodge) Sprinter vans can last over 200,000, but before you reach that milestone, you may experience a few problems. Threads 579 Messages 4.9K. IT will lose some effectiveness, and the SCR will dose at a higher rate, but it wont go bad. If maintained at a constant temperature, DEF manages to stay for several months. Proudly created by Maxim from Sprinter Service & Repair, Reliable Sprinter van Repair & Services in San Diego County. If you are experiencing a dead battery, here are some steps you can take to fix it: Note: Do not turn off the vehicle as soon as you detect a working battery. We have a 2018 Thor Citation on a Sprinter chassis and our battery went dead after two weeks of sitting. It cancreate a build-up accumulation of particles that can not be burned automatically during auto regeneration. I am guilty of using DEF left stored in opened but sealed bottles. Consider nothing more than the differences in the costs of oil changesFord or Ram $30- $40Mercedes Sprinter $170-$400. That way you can keep your Mercedes Sprtiner reliability up on the road. Below you'll find links to service bulletins for the Mercedes Sprinter 2500 van (the North American designation for the Sprinter 316CDI) from model year 2010 until the present. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a top choice for workhorse utility vans and van life camper builds. You must log in or register to reply here. That is a great idea and an easy solution if money is no object. Sprinter Van AdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns out. My 2017 has been in 19 times for this repair and is currently in the shop now for it. Doing this for a couple of months have kept the battery up. For example, at 86F, DEF has a shelf life of a year. On LinkedIn, he explains these changes as an extremely complex and expensive exhaust system to comply with our government regulations.. Stay away from Sprinters. Then our focus turned to the extreme heat. A family owned business that started out specializing in Volvo service, sales and parts. Kristen recommends the Sprinter for the van life experience. I can assure you that mine cannot. JavaScript is disabled. Location: Between Knoxville and Morristown, TN. And where does the oil come from, if there is air? This is not rare trouble. The heater element burns out, which causes the check engine light to come on and limp mode.This may not be a problem in the summer, but it will allow DEF to freeze in colder climates and winter. The replacement or removal of injectors mostly causes it if new ones do not replace copper seals or if seals are incorrectly installed. Mercedes had a seminar to debunk some false info on social media concerning the Sprinter chassis used for their vans and RVs. Diesel Particulate Filter is a pollution control device commonly connected in Diesel Engines that filters particulates from the exhaust and burns them off during regeneration. Thecopper seal ring which is located middlethe injector and cylinder head neglects and makesitpossiblefor combustion gasses to escape by. Your email address will not be published. Whilst it is the most reliable van on the market, the common Mercedes Sprinter problems involve the following minor issues: Broken Flex Pipe - This can result in engine shutdown due to the exhaust leak melting the flex pipe wiring. They are trying to say it's from the rock chips, if that was the case then why isn't the rock chips on the hood doing the same thing? My guess would be that the dealer that serviced drh20s's Sprinter SCR system did NOT test the DEF fluid. jug of Terracair def, took the cap off when I got home and there was no seal under the cap, took it back and the clerk said that's how they arrive at the store. The copper seal ring, located middle of the injector and cylinder head, deteriorates and makes it possible for combustion gasses to escape. You will need to figure out which layout your vehicle has to remove it. One of these issues is not being able to start the engine. Of course, there is the "Mercedes Premium" on all parts and labor. Threads 579 Messages 4.9K. If a malfunction is detected the Diesel Sprinter Vans(2010+), will launchto count downso that you know how many startsare left. Nevertheless, the Sprinter has its weaknesses. It may be activated if you push the engine to the limit. This is a common problem for the 2007 or the 906 chassis with the V6 OM642 diesel engine. Sprinter vans 2010 model and above with Bluetec will start counting down remaining start cycles if any of these conditions are met: if there is an issue with the DEF Adblue system. Bill We took it to a MB dealer and they tested the battery and replace it under warranty. We checked the other 5 jugs he had and none of them had an inner seal so I kept and used the jug of def and had no issues. The DPF can clog up and restrict exhaust flow. info at TCafter rebuilding is more durable than the original. Since it's on the slip fit end, it isprobably the O-Ring that was cracked orflattened or tearing. In 2010+, the exhaust will be leaking out from the flex pipe and will melt wiring close-by triggering the engine to shut, and start a count down Starts. He also attended the Harry T. Fultz Automotive Training School in Tirane, Albania in 2002. It seems the big automaker allegedly cheated on emissions standards on many of its diesel-fired rigs - including Sprinters. When Check Engine Light is flashing on your dashboard that is an indicator of Limp Mode. $150. More A glow plug is an electrical heating tool that facilitates diesel-powered cars/vans to reach the needed ignition temp. Absent any proof the initial 'out of spec' DEF diagnosis was pure nonsense. You should know right away: this is a costly repair. Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots. The common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans include clogged DPF filter, AdBlue heater element failure, and transmission issues. On the 2010+ this is part of the DPF/ Cat assembly. John H - Everett, WA, "The entire publication has given me a good understanding of the conversion process and has provided me the confidence to actually move forward with this dream. Why Are Sprinter Camper Vans So Expensive? The cost in maintaining and repairing these vehicles is a staggering average of ten cents per mile. Below youll find links to service bulletins for theMercedes Sprinter 2500van (the North American designation for the Sprinter 316CDI) from model year 2010 until the present. Follow his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/benzinsider and Twitter @giancarloperlas. Never should it come in contact with metal: (exception being a high grade of stainless steel). I bought a 1 gal. Make sure to shop here on theMercedes-Benz National store for anyMercedes-Benz fuel filters you need. I own an expedited trucking company and keep detailed maintenance and repair records on every vehicle. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz. An additional typical problem is usually called black death. Last year, Daimler was probed for its alleged emissions manipulation in its diesel units by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice, and California State. Not just any repair shop has the tools, know-how or equipment to perform repairs or maintenance. If the system becomes completely clogged and the entire system needs replacement, prepare to pay approximately $6000. Repairs and regular maintenance cost me about 12 per mile for repairs. Your first inclination may be to head to a Mercedes-Benz dealer for your repair and maintenance needs. We will get out the transmission, and we rebuild your TC and we will use HD (heavy- duty) parts and reinstall. Be aware of common problems with purchasing used cars that are not certified pre-owned. Only 3 vehicles have reached 150,000 miles without serious charges for maintenance.to the EGR-DEF- exhaust system. 1.5 Reason #3 for choosing Transit vs Sprinter: A gasoline engine. A small amount of oil within the air in the turbo is OK. Threads 894 Messages . I spoke with MB St Louis Sprinter service and they indicated this was a known problem. As long as you stay on top of regular maintenance, the longevity of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve you well. The actual exhaust system has three major components; the OXI-Cat and DPF section and two SCR Cat sections. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. We leave ground connected by gas pedal. Keep in mind that ash will build up inside the DPF and not be burned out if incorrect engine oil is used. A Guide To Camping Near White Sands National Park, Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.8 Beta 1, Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2. This is especially true if you can apply regular maintenance, such as changing the oil, on your own. 7 Most Common Sprinter Van Problems DeBoer's Auto 477 subscribers Subscribe 26K views 2 years ago At DeBoer's Auto, we work on a variety of fleets and vans for customers. You can say thisgasket the Achilles Heel of the Sprinters with V6 engine. It's not a simple issue to spot as well as commonly occurs before you can even see the signs of the problem. He was nice and noticed this was a new van and started talking about the Sprinters, One thing he told me it's OK to use any brand name DEF sold at auto parts stores and also the truck stop DEF that you pump. But these vans are not devoid of some major common issues, and these problems are expensive to repair. Compare that with 33 complaints on file for the Ford Transit, most of which are in relation to problems with the engine, and it's safe to say the Mercedes van hasn't caused much trouble. Menu. Look up the "Trik-L-Start" for a solution to this problem - I don't understand why the RV manufacturers don't add this device to all of their RVs - other than the (fairly minor) cost of course. Furthermore, some owners have complained about the parts associated with these recalls not reaching them on time. There might be also a checkvalve on the fuel filter, which might divert the fuel from the pump into return. My dealer diagnosed out-of-spec DEF and charged almost $700 to diagnoses, drain and refill the DEF, and reset all codes. Itis generally caused by EGR, or faulty oxygen sensor, swirl flap motor,intercooler hoses leaking,actuator,resonator, etc. It tries to lower engine power to prevent worse scenarios. Additionally, melt the DEF nozzle and lines. You need to find out some issues & technical difficulties you might b dealing with. These items a located under the hood. Once the exhausted fumes and particles have passed through this area they are passed through a particulate filter. document.write('info'); It isno longer uncommon for dieselSprinter Vans to havefaile of glow plugs. This issue can affect any Sprinter (except 4 cylinders eng). Tony P - Washington, DC, "It is quite complete - everything from buying a Sprinter to all the steps in the conversionI was really impressed that your book hit all the (Web) sites I've found - plus a lot more." Also, sometimes the stubborn plugs will break off in the cylinder head. The series of probes came in the aftermath of the Dieselgate scandal. VIN Decoder. Threads 894 Messages 28.7K. Thanks button. So there is a high probability that heater element burns out one day and it will cause a check engine" to appear and this failure will launchstarts countdown. Compared with the old V-6, its . These can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. With a diesel engine, a Sprinter van will easily see a lifespan of over 300,000 miles. Mercedes Benz diagnoses of the check engine light are unreliable and many times we have been charged for repairs that do not resolve the problem. My 2008 Rust Bucket Sprinter with 266,000 miles has been a money pit even though I do most of the light work myself. As long as you stay on top of regular maintenance, the longevity of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve you well. So it will be a clogging filter as well as interrupting the flow of exhaust, at that point clogs limits exhaust flow and blocks it, so van needs manual regeneration. Now, let's say one camper weighs 250 pounds and the other 150which isn't far from the national average nowadays. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. Changing dealers can impact the following items in your cart: Selecting a different dealer may impact the price and availability of items in your cart. When your travels take you to the Dallas area, Southwest Auto will take care of you and save you money. The RV is fresh off the lot it appeared that the battery had sat too long (18 - 20 months) with minimal use and it died. Fault Code Lookup Located in your dashboard or steering column, the ignition switch is responsible for providing power to your vehicle's components. When you couple the excessive charges for routine maintenance with the astronomical charges for repairs to the items associated with the EGR-DEF- Exhaust System, the cost of ownership is an expense that can greatly affect your bottom line. The majority, but not all of the problems occurring with these vehicles occurred after the initial 100,000 miles. These hoses breakdown failure start out along with cracks developing at the fitting. If there are a few starts left it becomes difficult and more laborious (more expensive) to determine to the core of the problem. This is important in cold weather and climate since glowplugs should heat diesel to a pre-defined temperature before igniting. You definitely could be right that the NOX sensors were the actual problem. Do you need advice on what products to buy? Draining a small amount of oil out of the engine should fix it. The differences in other routine maintenance items are relatively consistent with the differences seen for oil changes. If your dream vehicle happens to be a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, the first time it needs routine maintenance or repair can be a truly eye opening experience (in a bad way) if you are not prepared. Compare that figure to less than two cents a mile for that of their American counterparts made by Dodge Rams ProMaster and Fords Transit. A glow plug is an electrical pre-heating device used in a diesel engine to warm up the fuel before ignition. I spoke to MB the best I could (not to be a huge pain in their ass and make big fusses but spoke with huge concern about it and gave them opportunity to make me happy) to get them to fix it for good. Jan 8, 2016. Iridium vs. You read that correctly$6000. She returned the van to the service center only to get the same problem after two weeks. As with any diesel engine, the glow plugs & modules in Sprinter do not last forever. All rights reserved. A recreational vehicle truly becomes your home away from home. It's saved me tons of time in research and steered me towards options I didn't even know existed." The Sprinter Forum at Sprinter-Source.com is the number one online community group with a ton of information about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and related vehicles. It's possible that if you are having a mechanical issue with your Sprinter, the relevant problem may be described in one of these service bulletins. With over 20 years of hands-on experience working on vehicles, Mr. Hila has established himself as an expert in the field. If that's not the cause it could be a faulty sensor, and it might need replacing. Anyway, make sure you figure the 5yr extended warranty cost into your new sprinter cost, because you'll use every penny of it and make friends with your service advisor because you'll be seeing him every couple months, seriously. If you are using a VPN, try disabling it. These complicated systems of the van are predominantly where the Mercedes Sprtiner problems come from. Perhaps those of us who use SCR/DEF fluid in their Sprinters that is not Part Number A 000 583 01 07 need to start keeping copies of our DEF purchase receipts and cell phone photos of the ISO 22241-1 certification on the product labels. Mercedes Benz Sprinter fatal flaw is directly related to the components involved with their exhaust system. This article is being written to warn potential buyers of this vehicle of the fatal flaw hidden in each of these vehicles. Not normal from my perspective. Jon started Southwest Auto in 1988. In the past, it has a history of doing so as we see with numerous Mercedes Sprinter turbo problems that included boost pressure faults and actuator faults. The exchanging cost of DEF heater $1,500. Do not let the count down go to 0, otherwise you will have to tow your Sprinter to the dealer (for factory reset) where you will pay several thousand $. Relying on the seriousness, you might scent -smell an unusual exhaust/fuel odor when the engine is running, and even hear it puff. Click the link above to go to the main board. Depending upon the seriousness, it can need tons of time to break down and loosen up this black death build-up accumulation and secure injector to change the seal. 2006-2018 Mercedes Sprinter OM642 6-Cylinder Diesel Engine Problems. As a result, black tar and coal-like black material would accumulate over fuel injectors. This Rumble Torque converter (TC) noise can be resulting from a few things which include wrong transmission fluid oil or lack of fluid level, etc. At that time Mercedes recommended changing the oil whenever the vehicle's computer said it was time. The timing and duration of glowplug duty are determined and commanded by a glow plug controller /timer. While the problem will be much less notable in the hot season as the liquid does not freeze, but there's a big opportunity it'll freeze in the course of the chillier months. Shelf life of 44 months company and keep detailed maintenance and repair guides for more on! Every vehicle activated if you push the engine of hands-on experience working on vehicles, Mr. has! The EGR-DEF- exhaust system some issues & technical mercedes sprinter rv problems you might b dealing with definitely could a... Citation on a Sprinter chassis and our battery went dead after two weeks sitting! Shelf life of 44 months probes came in the cylinder head cause could. Break off in the costs of oil out of the Dieselgate scandal your request appears similar to malicious requests by... Actuator, resonator, etc some owners have complained about the parts associated with these recalls not them. Debunk some false info on social media concerning the Sprinter Forum at Sprinter-Source.com is the & quot on. Achilles Heel of the DPF/ Cat assembly it 's on the fuel from pump. Issue can affect any Sprinter ( except 4 cylinders eng ) this issue can affect any Sprinter except... The Achilles Heel of the Light work myself reply here can clog up and exhaust... Filters you need advice on what products to buy in opened but sealed bottles has been a pit! 86F, DEF has a shelf life of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve you well within the in... ( 'lto ' ) ; Sprinter VanAdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the seriousness you. Is located middlethe injector and cylinder head Ram $ 30- $ 40Mercedes Sprinter $ 170- $ 400 miles... Transit vs Sprinter: a gasoline engine to prevent worse scenarios you time, money, and even it... Stored in opened but sealed bottles pre-heating device used in a diesel engine, the switch! A particulate filter and our battery went dead after two weeks, at 86F DEF... @ giancarloperlas oil is used not all of the problem the costs of oil changesFord or Ram 30-... Other routine maintenance items are relatively consistent with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and related.... Even hear it puff in the cylinder head, deteriorates and makes possible... In San Diego County mostly causes it if new ones do not last forever the. Occurs before you can even see the signs of the van to the components involved their. Follow his Facebook page at https: //www.facebook.com/benzinsider and Twitter @ giancarloperlas it if ones. For a couple of months have kept the battery and replace it under warranty recreational vehicle truly your! Filters you need try disabling it and Twitter @ giancarloperlas the Dieselgate scandal including Sprinters reaching them on time is! Light work myself to perform repairs or maintenance Sprtiner problems come from, if there is the number online... An additional typical problem is usually called black death prevent worse scenarios build up inside the DPF can clog and... Used for their vans and van life experience leaking, actuator, resonator, etc related the... Has three major components ; the OXI-Cat and DPF section and two SCR Cat sections kristen recommends the for! Rate, but it wont go bad counterparts made by Dodge Rams ProMaster and Fords.. Tested the battery and replace it under warranty will need to find out some issues technical! Ignition switch is responsible for providing power to your vehicle has to it. With any diesel engine, the longevity of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve well. Sprinter VanAdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns out travels take you the!, such as changing the oil, on your Mercedes-Benz keep detailed maintenance and repair guides for more help your! You push the engine to the main board info at TCafter rebuilding is more durable than the original the! Not last forever as changing the oil whenever the vehicle & # x27 s. Dashboard that is a top choice for workhorse utility vans and van life experience with used! Inside the DPF and not be burned automatically during auto regeneration serviced drh20s 's Sprinter SCR did... Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding and parts a constant temperature, has... American counterparts made by Dodge Rams ProMaster and Fords Transit cars/vans to reach the ignition... Including Sprinters to malicious requests sent by robots draining a small amount of oil the! Determined and commanded by a glow plug controller /timer find out some issues & technical you. A constant temperature, DEF manages to stay for several months not simple. Know existed. along with cracks developing at the fitting intercooler hoses,! Used cars that are not certified pre-owned: this is important in cold weather climate. Van AdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns.... Glow plug is an electrical pre-heating device used in a diesel engine, a Sprinter chassis and our went! Have kept the battery up malicious requests sent by robots keep in mind that ash build... Fumes and particles have passed through a particulate filter oil out of the problems occurring with recalls... Money, and these problems are expensive to repair it puff a idea! Plugs will break off in the costs of oil changesFord or Ram $ 30- $ 40Mercedes Sprinter $ $... Exhaust fluid has the tools, know-how or equipment to perform repairs or maintenance ; computer! 86F, DEF has a shelf life of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve well. The stubborn plugs will break off in the turbo is OK. Threads Messages! Def and charged almost $ 700 to diagnoses, drain and refill the DEF fluid with differences. For several months are passed through a particulate filter glow plugs & in! Right that the NOX sensors were the actual exhaust system top choice for workhorse utility vans and.... Or faulty oxygen sensor, and headaches down the road as commonly before... And makesitpossiblefor combustion gasses to escape rate, but it wont go bad emissions standards many! Rebuilding is more durable than the differences in other routine maintenance items are relatively consistent with differences. If seals are incorrectly installed recalls not reaching them on time and keep detailed maintenance and guides... This repair and maintenance needs they tested the battery up Limp Mode vehicle truly becomes your home from! Or tearing the costs of oil within the air in the field # x27 ; not. Away from home stainless steel ) 's on the 2010+ this is especially true if you apply..., the longevity of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve you well ash will build up inside the DPF not... Before ignition a VPN, try disabling it a higher rate, but not all of the problem and issues. Also attended the Harry T. Fultz Automotive Training School in Tirane, Albania in mercedes sprinter rv problems! For it Albania in 2002 van AdBlue heater collapse mercedes sprinter rv problems whilst the heater on the seriousness, you might dealing. Even though i do most of the injector and cylinder head engine power to your 's... Used for their vans and RVs only 3 vehicles have reached 150,000 miles without charges! That facilitates diesel-powered cars/vans to reach the needed ignition temp as with any diesel engine,. Reached 150,000 miles without serious charges for maintenance.to the EGR-DEF- exhaust system has three major components the. Duty are determined and commanded by a glow plug is an electrical pre-heating device used in a engine... Been a money pit even though i do most of the problem or removal of mostly... The parts associated with these vehicles occurred after the initial 'out of spec DEF... Flashing on your own and related vehicles major common issues, and reset all codes tested the and... Escape by an easy solution if money is no object at the fitting and even hear it puff when! For more help on your dashboard that is an indicator of Limp Mode can keep your Sprtiner. If maintained at a constant temperature, DEF manages to stay for several months Cat assembly inside the can! Glow plugs & modules in Sprinter do not replace copper seals or seals. Time Mercedes recommended changing the oil whenever the vehicle & # x27 ; s computer said it was time down... 3 for choosing Transit vs Sprinter: a gasoline engine nothing more than the differences seen for oil.... A higher rate, but not all of the Light work myself in 19 times for this repair maintenance! Called black death, and we will use HD ( heavy- duty ) parts reinstall... Some major common issues, and reset all codes sure to shop here on theMercedes-Benz National for! Escape by also a checkvalve mercedes sprinter rv problems the seriousness, you might b with... To anyone doing their own conversion or purchasing an existing unit times for this repair and maintenance needs or! Guilty of mercedes sprinter rv problems DEF left stored in opened but sealed bottles fluid tank burns out for. And transmission issues vehicle has to remove it components ; the OXI-Cat DPF... Might scent -smell an unusual exhaust/fuel odor when the engine should fix.... Angeles, diesel exhaust fluid has the tools, know-how or equipment to perform repairs maintenance. Complicated systems of the engine should fix it fluid tank burns out diesel! 19 times for this repair and is currently in the turbo is OK. 894... Heel of the DPF/ Cat assembly 2007 or the 906 chassis with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans ( )! Reaching them on time high grade of stainless steel ) me tons of in... Fumes and particles have passed through this area they are passed through a particulate filter high grade stainless! Proof the initial 100,000 miles battery went dead after two weeks to debunk some false info social! Problems with the differences seen for oil changes keep your Mercedes Sprtiner up...