Mercedes Benz fuel challenges
Hubby and I have been looking at the Sprinter chassis with the Mercedes diesel engine for several years. We are almost to the point where we can buy. Recently, I have heard some rumblings from 2 fri...
Forum Discussion
suz155 wrote:Davydd wrote:
I live in Minnesota and am now 125,000 miles into driving Sprinter Bs trouble free. Is this another Chicken Little thread?
Before, I shell out $100,000.00 (that I have been saving for a very long time) I would like to be absolutely sure manufacturer will back a warranty. if I have to put a specific type of fuel, in a vehicle, as there are no other options, especially, when the manufacturer advises , in black and white, that they will void their warranty, I'm going to ask questions. I wouldn't call that chicken little. I would call it being proactive. Would appreciate if you could provide feedback on your experiences.
Chicken Little in that the usual suspects come out and start making claims they know nothing about. I did give you my experience. 125,000 trouble free miles. And I might add I have probably met more Sprinter Class B owners than the average participant here (three rallies just this spring) and not one has ever reported a diesel fuel problem.
But here is what I learned at Advanced RV Fest Open House from Mercedes Benz. Life expectancy for a Sprinter diesel easily exceeds over 260,000 miles with over half still on the road and going. D5 biodiesel is not a concern. D6 to D20 biodiesel they say to make sure your oil level is topped off. Anyone making those longevity claims with gasoline engines? Then there is the official report BoboJay cited. People can read into that anyway they want but it doesn't scare me.
The other subject that comes up is idling a Sprinter diesel. It is a concern because I just ordered a Class B that will have a second 200 amp alternator with Mercedes Benz high idle option (1200 rpms). Note, first, Mercedes Benz offers high idle, not after market. The guidelines are if you idle, do so for no more than 3 hours between periods of driving on the road 30 to 45 minutes. Advanced RV also offers and auto start option that will start the engine if auxiliary batteries drop. The engine will run up to two hours and shut off. If someone tries to engage the transmission requiring stepping on the brake the engine will shut off. Given my touring experience with my current Sprinter B of running my Onan propane generator for only 14 hours over 365+ nights on the road and 63,000 miles I highly doubt I am going to create any problems. Being a tourer (that's why I have a B for criminy out loud) I cannot foresee ever idling for a 3 hour period between drives.
It just all comes down to common sense. Take care of your vehicle and it will outlast your use. I'm confident a diesel engine will outlast any gasoline engine with equal care. That's why to me this is a non-issue Chicken Little thread.
PS. Just thought of something else. Buy a gasser and if you want an Onan generator you probably would get a gas one. Read all the horror story threads on those. I like my odds with the Sprinter.
