Sprinter Van

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Rideandrepair, Oct 1, 2024.

  1. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Anyone know anything about common problems to look for? Certain years? Common emission problems at certain mileages? Looking at used Sprinters. Any info on any mechanical issues to watch for, things to avoid. (Besides all Sprinters) Lol. Any info appreciated.
     
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  3. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Go over to Expeditersonline.com, there is a good amount of info about Sprinters there.
     
  4. OlegMel

    OlegMel Medium Load Member

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    Oil leaks, from oil cooler which is located under intakes on 3.0 engines. Also check for codes for intake flaps getting stuck or out of range. Those 2 things get stupid pricey. also codes for glow plugs, very often glow plugs in those engines get corroded and getting them replaced gets turned into a #### show.
    Check rear diff pinion play. Eventually the diffs need pinion bearing, also the axles tend to break around 300k miles. ($650 a piece)
    Def pump and def heater often start acting up after 300k miles and are quite expensive.
    Stay away from gas sprinters, biggest garbage there is.
    With all honesty if I were to get a cargo van, I’d go with a promaster, get the lifters replaced and they’re quite a reliable truck and is relatively cheaper to work on.
    Old 2.7 sprinters were bullet proof. However you won’t find one without boat load of rust.
     
  5. OlegMel

    OlegMel Medium Load Member

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    Oil leaks, from oil cooler which is located under intakes on 3.0 engines. Also check for codes for intake flaps getting stuck or out of range. Those 2 things get stupid pricey. also codes for glow plugs, very often glow plugs in those engines get corroded and getting them replaced gets turned into a #### show.
    Check rear diff pinion play. Eventually the diffs need pinion bearing, also the axles tend to break around 300k miles. ($650 a piece)
    Def pump and def heater often start acting up after 300k miles and are quite expensive.
    Stay away from gas sprinters, biggest garbage there is.
    With all honesty if I were to get a cargo van, I’d go with a promaster, get the lifters replaced and they’re quite a reliable truck and is relatively cheaper to work on.
    Ild
    what are you planing on using it for?
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  6. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Local automotive expedite. 150 mile radius. Ideally haul up to 4 pallets. If that even possible with any of them. Highest cube available.
     
  7. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    They are one of the reasons why I retired early. The company I retired from started buying them to do the work of the 26,000 lb class 7 26’ box and liftgate straight trucks we had. They had to buy the Mercedes version for our branch during covid because they were the only ones readily availiable. One was diesel the other gas. Within a year the diesel one had the transmission replaced twice under warranty and the engine once due to some bs internal defect that was recalled. The gas one did better with less trips to shop but is a serious dog. Mercedes pm schedule is nightmare that keeps it on the rack more often and oil changes cost almost as much as a big truck. I felt so gay and European riding in one I cannot fathom driving one. They belong in europe as ambulances with their ridicoulous sounding sirens.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  8. OlegMel

    OlegMel Medium Load Member

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    Sounds about right. The newer they got the more issues they had. I believe they even stopped making the gas engines because how much of a failure they were. On the other hand the European versions are way more reliable than American versions. Same applies to majority of cars too. Even European ford is more reliable than domestic ford lol
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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