Sprinter chassie questions

Even though idling the main motorhome engine is an expensive source of energy, we have done it, or can do it, in certain special situations and it's nice to know that it can be done reliably and non-destructively in situations calling for a Plan B or worse, a Plan C:

- We idle the V10 in noise sensitive areas for short-run coach air conditioning.

- We idle the V10 in non-noise sensitive areas for longer term coach air conditioning with the generator powered roof top air conditioning boosted for a fast initial cool-down by using the cab air conditioning short-term along with the roof top air conditioning.

- We idle the V10 in noise ultra-sensitive areas for battery charging when even our quiet little Honda is too loud, since we don't use solar.

- We can idle the V10 for coach heating in a situation where both the built-in generator system can't power enough portable electric heaters and for some reason the propane system isn't functioning.

We always try to camp in our small motorhome knowing we have reliable backups that we can count on as a last resort ... cell phones don't always get out and neighbors aren't always close.

overbrook wrote:

PhilR. wrote:


The problem is only a problem to those delivery companies. The drivers could not care less that their vans idle a bit higher. Especially since they aren't even in the van when the motor is at high idle in the first place.

To everyone else, it is a non-issue. Well, except to those whose lives are enriched by attempting to make it a problem....

A non issue? I don't think so. Check out the Sprinter forums - you'll see that a lot of Sprinter owners (non delivery drivers), are facing the infamous 'black death' caused by idling. You'll also see long discussions about rust issues, limp home mode, transmission woes, alternator problems, fuel injector problems and much more.

Anyone who owns or is thinking about buying a Sprinter should check out the forums at Sprinter Source. Find them at http://sprinter-source.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=0c59784135484e336e9cdba1fbaad310&f=3

I've owned two Sprinters - both were T1N's, and both had numerous problems. And yes, the owner's manual says to avoid extended idling.

Bill

Go to any forum and you'll see the same. I used to frequent the Ford Trucks forum when I was a Ford truck owner. You'd never buy a Ford if you used that as a baseline.

BTW, my manual says nothing about extended idling. I just don't do it and have no reason to.

PhilR. wrote:


The problem is only a problem to those delivery companies. The drivers could not care less that their vans idle a bit higher. Especially since they aren't even in the van when the motor is at high idle in the first place.

To everyone else, it is a non-issue. Well, except to those whose lives are enriched by attempting to make it a problem....

A non issue? I don't think so. Check out the Sprinter forums - you'll see that a lot of Sprinter owners (non delivery drivers), are facing the infamous 'black death' caused by idling. You'll also see long discussions about rust issues, limp home mode, transmission woes, alternator problems, fuel injector problems and much more.

Anyone who owns or is thinking about buying a Sprinter should check out the forums at Sprinter Source. Find them at http://sprinter-source.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=0c59784135484e336e9cdba1fbaad310&f=3

I've owned two Sprinters - both were T1N's, and both had numerous problems. And yes, the owner's manual says to avoid extended idling.

Bill

pnichols wrote:


Well ... that seems to me to not really be "getting around this (problem)". After all, the idea of idling quietly means just that ... idling in the mid-hundreds of RPM for maximum quietness... not rev'ing somewhere above 1000 RPM. The high-idle approach raises the noise back up above the quietness of a truly idling Sprinter's small diesel engine.

As many know, the Ford V10 RV engine can of course "idle" for hours at a low 550-650 RPM, which makes outside engine noise ultra-low (lower then small portable Honda inverter generators at their idle speed). Inside an idling V10 motorhome, the (our) engine cannot be heard or felt. Very nice and un-obtrusive.

The problem is only a problem to those delivery companies. The drivers could not care less that their vans idle a bit higher. Especially since they aren't even in the van when the motor is at high idle in the first place.

To everyone else, it is a non-issue. Well, except to those whose lives are enriched by attempting to make it a problem....

l001952119 wrote:
Want a factory original oil filter for the engine? $36.00 plus tax. Yes, Mercedes parts and the engine are EXCELLENT quality.

I pay under 10 buck for OE oil filters. Oil change interval is 10K miles. The oil is the expensive part.....12-13 qts of the breast milk of mermaids. $8 a quart or so on a V6.

PhilR. wrote:
Damage was incurred, until the American companies figured out ways to get around this. ..... A high-idle mechanism solved this problem.

Well ... that seems to me to not really be "getting around this (problem)". After all, the idea of idling quietly means just that ... idling in the mid-hundreds of RPM for maximum quietness... not rev'ing somewhere above 1000 RPM. The high-idle approach raises the noise back up above the quietness of a truly idling Sprinter's small diesel engine.

As many know, the Ford V10 RV engine can of course "idle" for hours at a low 550-650 RPM, which makes outside engine noise ultra-low (lower then small portable Honda inverter generators at their idle speed). Inside an idling V10 motorhome, the (our) engine cannot be heard or felt. Very nice and un-obtrusive.

The issue with idling is that many Sprinters were being used as delivery vehicles, and the drivers would drive them a block or two, then idle, then drive a block or two, then idle, repeat-repeat-repeat -- you get the idea. These vehicles were not designed to spend a great amount of time idling, with another large portion of their lives running at low speeds for short periods of time. Damage was incurred, until the American companies figured out ways to get around this. Keep in mind that in the land where these were designed, letting a vehicle idle for anything more than sitting at a traffic light is illegal. Or to put it another way - these were not designed to spend a great portion of their lives at low idle. A high-idle mechanism solved this problem.

Because of this issue, people now think that a Sprinter can't be idled. Even here, there are people who continue to perpetuate that misbegotten notion. A Sprinter can be idled if you get caught in a traffic jam. You can idle it for hours if needed. You just can't drive it all the time at low speeds for short periods of time (engine never has a chance to warm to normal operating temps), and then leave it idling over and over and over.

As for maintenance centers - yes, there are not as many as Ford or Chevy. However, they are out there, and if you are worried about a breakdown, get a breakdown service that will tow you to an authorized service center. If this is an issue for you, then you should look elsewhere.

Oil and filter changes are extremely easy. You can order OEM filters online for about $12, and oil for about $8 a quart. Be warned that these use about 13 quarts. We have had our Sprinter for about three years. Not counting oil changes, we have spent about $400 on service. Our service costs have not been any more than what we would have spent on any other make of chassis.

mlts22 wrote:
If I had unlimited time/money, I would order a 2015 all wheel drive Sprinter next year (I'm guessing Mercedes takes orders in May for a September delivery like they did with the 2014s), have it upfitted by Sportsmobile as an all-diesel rig, where the stove, generator, water heater, furnace, and refrigerator would be all running from the diesel tank. It is expensive, but it would definitely be useful for boondocking, just due to only worrying about one fuel.

Very good point! Of course the Earthroamer is designed this way - an all diesel main energy source - supplemented with generous solar capacity.

However and FWIW, today many motorhomes can kindof operate this way if needed during short-term regular camping periods or during emergencies for awhile.

For example: Our small Class can operate off it's 4000 watt Onan generator for all of it's energy needs including electric cooling, heating, and cooking. For half-loads (running one 1500 watt electric heater or one electric hot plate for a few minutes with the heater turned off ... or even both for a few minutes), the Onan consumes about 0.4-0.5 gallons per hour on average. This means that off the main 55 gallon gasoline tank, we "could" get completely by with just the gasoline Onan generator running continuously from a nearly full main fuel tank for around 100 hours - 4 days.

I'd recommend hitting www.sprinter-source.com and getting the info from people who use the vehicles on a daily basis.

The good:
MPG
Decent reliability.
Great cargo/towing capacity.

The bad:
Not many Mercedes or Freightliner service depots for them.
You will pay Mercedes prices for parts and Mercedes prices for labor. A clogged DPF will run you north of $3200 (which is why you don't want to idle the engine constantly.)

The OP apparently wants a class "B". For a van (as opposed to a class C chassis), a Sprinter van is light-years more comfortable inside than the Chevy vans.

However, if the OP can wait until next year, the "B" market is going through its biggest upheaval in over a decade: Dodge has their RAM ProMaster already out and upfitters are working on that, and come summer of next year, Ford is coming out with the Econoline replacement, the Transit. Both offer 90% of what a Sprinter does (including good MPG numbers) for a smaller price tag, and one can get a gasser model.

The Winnebago Travato is the first opening salvo for the new ProMaster "B" vans. Sportsmobile is in the process of upfitting a ProMaster, and there are other companies which are working on models.

If you can find an older T1N Sprinter "B", that might just be the ticket. Make sure to replace the turbo resonator with the aluminum aftermarket, and those 5-bangers are very reliable. However, the T1Ns do hold their price.

If I had unlimited time/money, I would order a 2015 all wheel drive Sprinter next year (I'm guessing Mercedes takes orders in May for a September delivery like they did with the 2014s), have it upfitted by Sportsmobile as an all-diesel rig, where the stove, generator, water heater, furnace, and refrigerator would be all running from the diesel tank. It is expensive, but it would definitely be useful for boondocking, just due to only worrying about one fuel.

We have a 2006 Winnebago View with the Mercedes 5cyl. We have put 45k miles on it in the last year and a half with no issues. We get 18mpg and the engine runs smooth. I'm a closet gear head and would not have purchased a RV without the diesel and seeing that the Sprinter Chassis is used on FedEx delivery trucks, I was sold. I do all my own service work - which Mercedes makes easy (at least oil changes, which are much easier with the filter removed from the top).

I plan on driving this diesel Sprinter for many years to come.

Good luck.