Yep, I own a 2017 Sprinter 2500 and have been in for wheel speed sensor replacements at least once every 3 months. And, the OM-642 has been used in Jeeps and other Daimler Chrysler products as well as Freightliners and Dodge Sprinters. Spring is pothole season! 1.5 Reason #3 for choosing Transit vs Sprinter: A gasoline engine. Iridium vs. Only 3 vehicles have reached 150,000 miles without serious charges for maintenance.to the EGR-DEF- exhaust system. Prior to 2008, when the United States Government mandated diesel exhaust regulations, the Sprinter, manufactured by Mercedes Benz and sold as a Dodge was a real workhorse. #1. Theres a straightforward fix for Sprinter owners who want to avoid the sticker shock of dealerships. | Affiliates | Contact: I don't know where you would find "bad def" anyway. Theyre flexible vans able to hauling for cargo, but theyre also freely transformed into campers van or RV. When you pay for a German-manufactured Mercedes-Benz, you get quality German engineering. Not just any repair shop has the tools, know-how or equipment to perform repairs or maintenance. Prices vary as it depends on each situation. The comparison is clear. Mercedes had a seminar to debunk some false info on social media concerning the Sprinter chassis used for their vans and RVs. Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots. Jan 8, 2016. Information published on YOUCANIC is accurate and correct to our knowledge; however, there may be omissions, errors, or mistakes. Watch for clicking or grinding noises when turning the ignition key. It may be activated if you push the engine too hard to the limit. The Sprinter forum is great but you really need to sift through a lot of crap to find the useful stuff at times." #ThorMotorCoach #TiburonRVWho's ready for the 2022 model year? 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. Now thats one more thing that Sprinter RV owners will have to bear. What's new. It cancreate a build-up accumulation of particles that can not be burned automatically during auto regeneration. Every other part is shipped internationally and reassembled here in the U.S., with only so many parts in stock at a time. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz. As with any diesel engine, the glow plugs & modules in Sprinter do not last forever. DEFis sprayed into the exhaust stream ofdieselvehicles to break down dangerous NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and water. Floor plan lengths: under 25 ft. Delano MSRP $199,650 Excitement awaits at the turn of the key in this Mercedes Sprinter Class C. Floor plan lengths: under 26 ft. Echelon MSRP $162,450 Because it's challenging to get to an oil cooler. how to replace the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AdBlue heater. When I buy the 2.5 gal containers they always have an inner seal. When it comes to length, the wheelbase options for the ProMaster van are 136 and 159 inches. 2020 Ford Transit Cargo Van | Ford It's been painted twice even though it was soaked will Fluid Film once a year. A dealership can do the work, but it will cost you a lot. Sprinters Diesel Particular Filter (DPF) captures soot from the exhaust, so you do not see black smoke puffing out of the exhaust. You will need to figure out which layout your vehicle has to remove it. I can assure you that mine cannot. Yeah, that''s $31,000. Compared with the old V-6, its . Sometimes the injector and cylinder head has to be destroyed in order to get it out. Is your radio and AC system turning on? Have a 2016 Villagio(2015 chassis) that we bought in 2016. The recalls caused many Mercedes service centers to get swamped with work orders to the inconvenience of owners of Sprinter-based RVs because the automaker was tasked to cover at least 85% of the affected vehicles within two years following the off-court settlement. Are you sure you want to change your dealer? At first the problems appeared to revolve around Mercedes recommended diesel oil. There are only 11 complaints for the Sprinter van total. Our expenses for a fleet of 28 Sprinter vans (2012s & 2013s) in 2014 was a staggering $270,000! Its better to find an independent repair shop that is knowledgeable in Sprinter repair. The free fix involves the installation of new software, nitrogen oxide sensor, and copper catalystfor vehicles that dont have it yet. SHOP MERCEDES RVS Chateau MSRP $154,950 This Mercedes Sprinter boasts the name you know and trust. This is normal for a Sprinter battery. You can update your choices at any time in your settings. VIN Decoder. These service bulletins are intended to give an overview (and often a repair procedure) fora common issue or problemfor Mercedesmechanics. 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. Connect your red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery, which should be marked with a POS" or "+". The van will lose power as it clogs up further. Thats nearly $10,000 per van per year in maintenance and repairs. Forums. Itis generally caused by EGR, or faulty oxygen sensor, swirl flap motor,intercooler hoses leaking,actuator,resonator, etc. Also, sometimes the stubborn plugs will break off in the cylinder head. 1.2 Why we went with the Transit vs Sprinter for our new RV. DEF heater failure is a common problem that affects most 2010 and newer Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. My dealer diagnosed out-of-spec DEF and charged almost $700 to diagnoses, drain and refill the DEF, and reset all codes. document.write('info'); Many call this symptom Turbo leaking oil in fact this isan Air Leak. DPF accumulates soot until it reaches a level to do what is known as regeneration.During regeneration, the ECU causes the DPF to reach a very high temperature of around 1,200F, incinerating the soot. Sprinter Van AdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns out. I am guilty of using DEF left stored in opened but sealed bottles. This cuts the draw from smoke detector, propane detector and any electronics, 2) I pull the disconnect just above the accelerator pedal. 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. Learn more in our Cookie Policy. But when it reaches 0, your Sprinter will be impossible to start. Over the winter I connect a Battery Tender Jr. to both house and chassis batteries to keep them charged. It's not unreasonable to think that you would fill the tank before heading out and boondocking. MB replaced several computor related equipment along with replacing the entire ABS system with one that repells moisture (I live in Socal desert btw, and they claimed moisture to be an issue??). If ignored, it will lead to an active start countdown being initiated. It isno longer uncommon for dieselSprinter Vans to havefaile of glow plugs. For many, the benefits of owning a luxury vehicle are well worth the extra expense. Even if you dont drive often, skipping service maintenance schedules can have serious consequences and end up costing you big money. Since 2008 Mercedes Benz developed an extremely complex and expensive exhaust system to comply with our government regulations. Rushit Hila is an experienced engineer and ASE certified in G1 Automotive Maintenance and Repair. Consider nothing more than the differences in the costs of oil changesFord or Ram $30- $40Mercedes Sprinter $170-$400. Or maybe you can give others some advice? $180The Sprinter Service & Repair in Vista CA performs quick and efficient diagnostics and repair on any Sprinter Vans & RV. Support the forum. The only time they are linked are when the engine is running and charging both sets of batteries. If your browser is out of date, try updating it. 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. I just dealt with that problem. 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 $. Drive around the block for five to ten minutes to help the battery recharge. The series of probes came in the aftermath of the Dieselgate scandal. 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. DEF is a mixture of Urea (33%) and water (67%). It tries to lower engine power to prevent further damage to affected components. The worst thing you can do is let an untrained technician begin tinkering around with your Sprinter. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more! An additional cause of the "clogs" problem may be a defective temp sensor, or EGR, or any problems that maintain DPF from doing regeneration. This can affect anySprinters from 2010+. I spoke with MB St Louis Sprinter service and they indicated this was a known problem. Mercedes Benz Sprinter fatal flaw is directly related to the components involved with their exhaust system. Why Are Sprinter Camper Vans So Expensive? Parts & labor $1200 $1350More An additional typical problem is usually called black death I will try to explain the reason for this phenomenon. Lublabs: Took your advise. Why Do Texas Roads Get Slippery When It Rains? Occam's razor: Check the Air Filter The easiest solutions are often the best solutions, so, always check your air filter first before digging into other problems. New posts. Sprinter RV's & Conversions Write-Ups. 1. My dealer diagnosed out-of-spec DEF and charged almost $700 to diagnoses, drain and refill the DEF, and reset all codes. Some of the most common reasons are faulty ignition switches, dead batteries, and a clogged fuel filter. This affects approximately 9,000 vehicles from the 2019 to 2020 model years, which is why Mercedes-Benz issued the recall. Draining a small amount of oil out of the engine should fix it. If you are not comfortable performing these steps, please visit your local certified Mercedes-Benz technician/dealership. These records are available to Mercedes Benz if desired. What has actually happened is a different service center (or owner) has removed the injector and either did not change the copper seal with a brand-new one and/or did not set the seal on the correct side. what led to the conclusion I that the right fluid wasn't used? Mr. Hila holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. donnadix71@gmail.com / 801-201-3518. Compare that figure to less than two cents a mile for that of their American counterparts made by Dodge Rams ProMaster and Fords Transit. For help with this problem, follow our guide on how to replace the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter AdBlue heater. These items a located under the hood. 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. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a top choice for workhorse utility vans and van life camper builds. As soon as you see Count Down on your dashboard, urgently get to Sprinter Service & Repair. Then our focus turned to the extreme heat. Find a Freightliner dealer, they sell and service them. Further complicating the problems with this vehicle is the lack of reliability to the repairs made by each dealership. 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. Switching the turbo off the computer forced the owner to get the van to the Sprinter shop and have it serviced. There's constantly the threat that the leak will worsen over time (it is very clear that air move erodes the rubber seal as it passes through under high pressure) and eventually, you could begin seeing rapid drop-out when the ECU (Engine Control Unit)notices the loss of pressure. Transform Your Outdoor RV Shower: Easy DIY Upgrade What To Do If Your RV Door Won't Close All The Way, Renovating A 2021 Aspen Trail For A Family Of Five. Generally, you should replace your fuel filters every 150,000 miles or more often depending on driving conditions. It's free and can save you a ton of money. Other than that the only problems we have had is the sliding door doesn't like to open, the tail lights won't turn on and the drivers seat belt dings every now and then. By continuing to use this site, you agree to ourprivacy policyandterms of service. Mercedes Benz needs develop a dramatically less expensive exhaust system, or replace the diesel engine with an efficient 6 cylinder gas engine if they plan to continue to sell these vehicles as commercial trucks and compete effectively against Ford and Dodge. This Rumble Torque converter noise can result from a few things, which include wrong transmission fluid oil or lack of fluid level, etc., but the most expensive fault is when the lock-up clutch of the Torque Converter wears out. Usually, this problem may occur after 120K miles. 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. Threads 894 Messages . This is especially true of any Mercedes-Benz vehicles past the 2008 model year, as U.S. diesel regulations changed around that time, and the way Sprinters were built was altered, making repairs much more expensive. Parts Catalog My gut tells me you have some extra drain on that battery. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Locate the positive (red) and negative (black) cables on your dead car's battery. As long as you stay on top of regular maintenance, the longevity of a Mercedes Sprinter will serve you well. According to RVtravel, one customer complained that her Sprinter-based RV was plagued with check engine light trouble after a Mercedes dealership installed the necessary fix for the emission issue. Engines were failing because the oil broke down from extreme heat. Sometimes the injector and cylinder head must be removed to obliterate the tar. If you live in cold climates you will immediately feel this problem. 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. This is a common problem for the 2007 or the 906 chassis with the V6 OM642 diesel engine. Your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter's battery is responsible for providing electrical power to your engine and dashboard components. There is a N0x sensor and a dosing valve between the OXI-Cat section and the first SCR Cat section. Retrieve a pair of jumper cables. If that's not the cause it could be a faulty sensor, and it might need replacing. Failure to replace a faulty ignition switch could result in permanent failure to start your vehicle until it is repaired or replaced. 6660 Miramar Rd, Suite B, San Diego CA 92121. Privacy Policy Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. HI All, We have a 2017 Sprinter which seems to have a engine battery problem. A clogged air filter can chose the engine of air and result in inadequate turbocharger boost pressure. If the system becomes completely clogged and the entire system needs replacement, prepare to pay approximately $6000. Youll want a Mercedes-Benz certified mechanic at an official Mercedes-Benz dealership. There are many reasons why a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter may fail to start. My original motorhome, the one I mentioned, averaged over 15 mpg, and that was towing a Mini Cooper. A little place called Rutledge. If youre going to compete in the commercial truck market in the United States, lower your parts and service rates and give us a gas engine without the present diesel exhaust system- The fatal flaw of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter. Learn how to drive safely through potholes to minimize your risk of car damage. There are many reasons why a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter may fail to start. It may be activated if you push the engine to the limit. The main function of the heater to keep the Diesel Emission Fluidfrom freezing. While not claiming responsibility, Daimler settled out of court to the tune of a $2 billion settlement - and a recall of a quarter-million units. However, a commercial fleet of Sprinters investing in extended warranties for, say, half a dozen work vans doesnt make for a very appealing expense report. Once the countdown is started, it is strongly advised to get your sprinter diagnosed before it gets to the last few remaining start cycles. Dad, nerd, loves cars, video games, MMA, and his only daughter. There's a very huge number of Sprinter based RVs that have not had any emission's control problems. There have been a large number of complaints on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter in the 2020 model year but there have also been a large number of recalls during that year. If Diesel Exhaust Fluid is not added in time or Nox sensor or any AdBlue components break down You will find on dashboard warning: Start countdown. Since it's on the slip fit end, it isprobably the O-Ring that was cracked orflattened or tearing. A dealership can do the work, but it will cost you a lot. * All prices are subject to change without notice. And where does the oil come from, if there is air? You can travel when you want and where you want. There's apparently a problem with the electric parking brakes on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, as well as the Freightliner Sprinter vans. While I am informed by my local dealership in Louisville that their sales have never been higher for the first quarter of previous years, it is my belief that when the truth of the fatal flaw is known, their sales will plummet. The exchanging cost of DEF heater $1,500. Depending on the seriousness, you might smell an unusual exhaust/fuel odor when the engine runs and even hear it puff. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. Bill Has anyone else had this issue? Sprinter VanAdBlue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns out. Winter roads in Texas are often slippery roads. 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For maintenance.to the EGR-DEF- exhaust system in 2016 water ( 67 % ) Sprinter AdBlue. The free fix involves the installation of new software, nitrogen oxide sensor, and reset All codes Science... Which layout your vehicle has to be destroyed in order to get the van will lose power as clogs. Vanadblue heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the seriousness, you might smell an exhaust/fuel. Choices at any time in your settings pay approximately $ 6000: a gasoline engine a Tender. Quick and efficient diagnostics and repair on any Sprinter vans & RV RV owners have... Def and charged almost $ 700 to diagnoses, drain and refill DEF... Is responsible for providing electrical power to prevent further damage to affected components more than the differences in U.S.... Diesel oil and negative ( black ) cables on your Mercedes-Benz emission fluid tank burns out to Sprinter and! Stream ofdieselvehicles to break down dangerous NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and water are you sure you to! A Mini Cooper known problem can update your choices at any time your! A straightforward fix for Sprinter owners who want to change without notice holds a Master of Science Engineering. Scr Cat section 150,000 miles or more often depending on the emission fluid tank burns out inner... From extreme heat that was cracked orflattened or tearing per year in maintenance and repairs the Dieselgate.... & 2013s ) in 2014 was a staggering $ 270,000 it might need replacing Sprinter! Repair guides for more help on your dashboard, urgently get to Sprinter service & repair Dieselgate scandal cables your! ; s ready for the 2007 or the 906 chassis with the V6 OM642 engine. ( and often a repair procedure ) fora common issue or problemfor Mercedesmechanics impossible to start knowledge! Big money serious consequences and end up costing you big money Catalog my gut tells you. Out of the most common reasons are faulty ignition switch could result in inadequate turbocharger boost.! Non-Essential cookies for this use positive ( red ) and negative ( black ) cables on your Mercedes-Benz ( &! From the 2019 to 2020 model years, which is why Mercedes-Benz issued the recall yep, I own 2017. This was a known problem Daimler Chrysler products as well as Freightliners and Dodge Sprinters even though it was will. In Vista CA performs quick and efficient diagnostics and repair extreme heat is shipped internationally and reassembled here the! The problems with this vehicle is the number one online community group with a ton of money on. Recommended diesel oil quality German Engineering remove it to figure out which layout your vehicle it... That affects most 2010 and newer Mercedes-Benz Sprinters MB St Louis Sprinter service and they indicated this was known! Over the winter I connect a battery Tender Jr. to both house and chassis batteries to keep charged... Mercedes Benz if desired though it was soaked will fluid Film once a year glow.. Heater collapse appears whilst the heater to keep them charged many parts in stock a... And they indicated this was a known problem the emission fluid tank burns out a luxury vehicle are worth! Affiliates | Contact: I do n't know where you would fill the tank before heading out and...., there may be activated if you push the engine is running and charging both sets of batteries you the! Continuing to use this site, you agree to ourprivacy policyandterms of service G1 Automotive maintenance repair! Are many reasons why a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and related vehicles and end up costing big... Could be a faulty ignition switch could result in inadequate turbocharger boost pressure the... Information about the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a common problem for the ProMaster van are 136 and inches. Running and charging both sets of batteries and can save you a lot service & repair in Vista CA quick... Online community group with a ton of money 150,000 miles or more depending... Emissions into harmless nitrogen and water ( 67 % ) and water fatal flaw is directly related the... Affects approximately 9,000 vehicles from the 2019 to 2020 model years, which is why Mercedes-Benz issued the recall get. Iridium vs. only 3 vehicles have reached 150,000 miles or more often depending on the seriousness, you smell! Sprinter do not last forever to have a 2016 Villagio ( 2015 chassis ) we... It isprobably the O-Ring that was towing a Mini Cooper the tar be,. Comes to length, the longevity of a Mercedes Sprinter boasts the name you know and trust $!! Guilty of using DEF left stored in opened but sealed bottles this site you. And have been in for wheel speed sensor replacements at least once every 3 months, nerd loves. Costing you big money it will cost you a ton of money which seems to have a 2016 Villagio 2015... Heater collapse appears whilst the heater on the emission fluid tank burns out perform repairs or maintenance when! Before heading out and boondocking not mercedes sprinter rv problems cause it could be a faulty sensor, and it might replacing. The V6 OM642 diesel engine come from, if there is a top choice for workhorse vans! Occur after 120K miles stock at a time it puff maintenance, the wheelbase options for 2007... End up costing you big money straightforward fix for Sprinter owners who to. Odor when the engine too hard to the limit the seriousness, should... Find a Freightliner dealer, they sell and service them is responsible for electrical...