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Lupie's avatar
Lupie
Explorer
Mar 02, 2015

Any problems with 3.0 V6 Mercedes engine on Class B Van

We are wanting to purchase a Roadtrek, Pleasure Way or Winnebago Era van. Our mechanic has said to stay away from the 3.0 V6 diesel and look for an older van with the straight 5. The harmonic balancer goes out causing the engine to vibrate and self destruct. It is difficult to find an older van with the straight 5. Any comments or opinions? We are new to RVing.

15 Replies

  • If this were the case no one would buy them. I have a Sprinter with this engine and I won't hold my breath waiting for it to self destruct.
  • We have a 2014 Airstream sprinter with the engine. We had a 2009 Airstream with same engine and we are on our second Mercedes GL with same engines, all without a problem for past six years.
  • the straight five is on T1N sprinter which is prior to 2007 model year.

    it is a completley different van and has NO emissions equipment that was mandated in 2007.

    it's mostly the emissions controls in the 2007 and past sprinters that cause the issues.
  • HEY WE HAVE ONE . the last of the I 5 MB diesels. in a leisure travel van. BEST MH we ever owned. I,ve had class A,B C TT,TC and this is the best of them .my log book shows NOTHING under 20mpg . theres some out there just gotta hunt. BUT I to have been told the 5cyc is much better than the V6. and this came from a fed X mech. theres a club flamingo,S something in florida there on yahoo site some times I see one up for sale.
  • HB's on some modern engines are considered wear items these days. They are part of the maint. schedule and IF inspected at the required interval, will pose no problem at all. This is because they don't "go out" all at once. They sometimes slip a little and this is caught at inspection time before it's a real issue.
    That would not keep me from buying that engine anymore than it would keep me from buying a Cummins engine - which has the same inspection requirements.