Sprinter EGR replacement

[mscarcellla]

My concern is with the 3.0 liter Mercedes sprinter engine, I now own a 2013 model 3500 Greatwest Van, Legend Ex and am on the third EGR IN LESS THAN 30,000 miles. Replacements have been diagnosed and completed by Mercedes service and completely covered by warranty. In each case the check engine light came on and ODBC indicated EGR fault along with loss of power, seemed like no turbo. Upon inspection EGR was very sooty and stuck so it wouldn’t operate properly.

I’d appreciate knowing EGR best practices ie... driving practices, fuel concerns, maintenance or cleaning requirements and any other topics to be aware of.

It seems many Sprinter owners have had similar problems, while others report none. Mercedes extended the warranty to 10 years and 120,000 miles on this part.

Thanks in advance for a reply,

Michael Scarcella
Aitkin, MN
GWVan, 2013
__________________
2014 Legend Ex Sprinter
2008 RS Adventurous Sprinter

[bartlettj]

You could try a fuel additive such as Stanadyne performance additive or B20 biodiesel if you can find it, both of those can lower soot output of certain engines by helping the fuel injector timing be more precise because of higher lubricity. My Duramax runs a lot quieter and doesn't Regen as often on B20 or Stanadyne. Also have the dealer check the fuel injector balance to see if one or more cylinders is running dirty.

[Chum_lee]

Gonzo42 wrote:
Had to replace mine at $700.00, warrantee denied, ODO at 27K. Being second owner, M-B passed.

If you have an otherwise stock system, the CARB and BAR (California Air Resources Board and Bureau of Automotive Repair) might like to know about this. I have personally caught car dealers (Audi) lying to me and refusing warranty emission control repairs when the law clearly says they should be covered under warranty. I initially paid cash for the repairs then did some homework. (reading factory warranty booklet mostly) After letting them (the dealer) know that I wasn't going away and I'm not some knuckle dragging monkey, they (Audi dealer) decided to pay up (refund my money) with an apology. IMO, the dealer was just testing the water to see if I would quietly pay the +-$300.00 repair bill for items that were clearly covered under the emission control warranty. (ca. 1985) I'm quite sure this happens all the time in California. IMO, the CARB are like Nazi storm troopers to emission control cheaters. Read "FAR WORSE" than dealing with the IRS.

On the other hand, if your emissions control system is modified, say nothing because you might be ratting yourself out.

Chum lee

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Too bad you couldn't keep one of the stuck ones. Then do a little Do It Yourself Chemistry Set experimentation.

Fill a gallon can halfway with gasoline then dollop a half pint of Chevron Techron mix well, submerge the clogged EGR valve for months if need be. Lighter polyureas can soften and remove carbon. Not a miracle. I would suspect it would take months to work on a big carbon clot and then vacuum would have to be used (or is this gizmo electrical?) to move the shaft. Better than seven hundred dollars maybe.

[B_O__Plenty]

GM had same problems with some of its' cars in the 90s. Cure was to install a aftermarket gasket with a screen in it which kept the chunks out of the egr valve.

B.O.

[Gonzo42]

Had to replace mine at $700.00, warrantee denied, ODO at 27K. Being second owner, M-B passed.

[ScottG]

There's no way to be "nice" to the EGR. You just have to drive it normally and the manufacturer needs to figure out what they're doing wrong.

[road-runner]

I'm in the "others report none" category at over 30,000 miles. With the fear of EGR and swirl valve problems, I recently installed the Green Diesel Engineering software (not available for your model year) that defeats use of these valves. At the same time I disassembled the EGR valve to clean it and was surprised at how little soot was in it. Much less than I expected based on reading other peoples' woes. The only driving habit I think that could be pertinent is that when the engine is started, it's usually to drive a fairly long leg. I haven't been very picky about the fuel, and don't use additives. The worst engine problem so far is a blown glow plug. I've gone into limp mode only once over a turbo problem that never cropped up again.