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Dodge Sprinter Owners

36 messages,  Last post on Mar 02, 2010 at 7:26 PM

You are in the Dodge Sprinter Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Sprinter, Dodge Sprinter Cargo, Van

Messages Page 2 of 5

#2 of 36 KenB by kenbaker

Oct 30, 2006 (11:25 am)

Ken Baker, OKlahoma City, OK, USA (OKC Metro)
2004 MWC 2500HC WAGON (140", 2500 regular roof, passenger)
ARCTIC WHITE (white Mercedes grill conversion with all Mercedes emblems)
Standard CD radio... in-dash speakers only... NEED more SPEAKERS SOON.
 
About 20,000 miles, bought NEW in September 2005 from Bob Howard Dodge, OKC/Edmond with about 624 miles on the odometer.
 
Had the transmission leak (o-rings), central locking failures, lumbar supports failed (still not fixed, not important, appears to be bad inflator bulbs).
 
First oil change on the house by Bob Howard due to trouble getting repairs made. The Sprinter tech left Trans oil dripping off of trans so it appeared to NOT be fixed when I went to pick it up after work. A little cleanup would go a LONG way toward customer satisfaction.
 
Second oil change done by me, still expensive for 10 quarts of MOBIL - 1. Oil Filter found at AUTOZONE, on shelf (about $12.00). They also stock the high-dirt conditions air filter under $30. O'Reilly's here appears to stock nothing for Sprinter's yet, but delivery is only 2-3 hours most days (or I can drive 15 minutes to the warehouse and pickup right away).
 
Heater knob very coarse control through first winter, now gives much better control starting second Fall of ownership. Also noticed that the vents over the radio allow so much cool air to escape that it hinders the ability of the knob to adjust the air temp through the heater core.
 
I get 20 MPG all the time, unless I use both A/C units at the same time, then it is about 18. After hitting my second oil change, 20,000 miles, and/or using Power Service Diesel Treatment (white bottle, red/black letters) I have hit 21 MPG not using either A/C unit much.
 
My high point of Sprinter ownership is the handling/driving quality. My low point is probably ride quality of the3 passenger version.
 
My low point was the mileage, but HEY! this thing is HUGE and it still gets better mileage than my GMC Safari Mini-Van. I get the same mileage in-town or on-highway, or mixed.
 
My wife loves to drive it!!! We just need to get our running boards mounted, they didn't come with the right brackets for a 2004... must fit an earlier Sprinter model with a larger sub-floor weld flange and possibly a wider frame (frame closer to sides of van).
 
It is a bit odd that there are so few accessories available in the US market for this fine van... or in Europe either, considering the number that have been made worldwide.
 
Thanks,
KenB

#3 of 36 New Member by h2only

Nov 11, 2006 (9:28 am)

Hi,
 
Bill Tomko of Raleigh, NC. I have 2 Sprinters, both 2500 series cargo vans--2004 140"wb Tall w/80K miles and a 2006 158"wb tall w/7500 miles. Both are used commercially for delivery vans for our business.
 
I'll probably lurk more than post. All-in-all a positive ownership experience (I did buy a second one), dealer is the only shortcoming, but may be getting a newly qualified dealer closer to me
 
-Bill Tomko, Owner
 H2Only Cleaners
 The Cleaner Alternative For ALL Dry Cleaning Needs

#4 of 36 Meet the members by 2000_valk

Nov 11, 2006 (1:48 pm)

Greetings to all.
Tom Fox, In Michigan. 140 reg top, silver. I agree with ken on the noise issue. I wonder if the company's that make the motor homes out of them have an insulation package! The van and I got off on a rough note. Heat problem, leaking trans.O rings. All on warranty. The van seems to be in its grove now. Runs great. And gets alot of attention. If I had a dollar for every time a trades person asked me how I liked it. I would be in warm climate.
 
 I read the forum alot to stay up on sprinter things, and at times will sound off on trouble or repairs, and at times blow off some steam. We are all here for the same reason. Sharing thoughts and ideas is knowledge. Tom

#5 of 36 Meet the members by earlw

Dec 10, 2006 (1:21 pm)

Earl Weir Harlingen Tx.
I have a 2004 Sprinter Van Converted to a motor home in 2005 by Leisure Travel Van in Canada. It use to get 22+ miles to the gallon but for some reason it has dropped to 20+ miles per gallon. Still working on the cost of oil changes. Had to have the Rack and Pinyon replaced because of oil leaks. Like others say it drives and handles well. We have stayed as long as two and a half months traveling in the van. For the most part we like it. Just wish there were more service centers. And not always having to go to a Sprinter dealer.

#6 of 36 Additive by 2alaskans

Mar 08, 2007 (12:22 pm)

Does anyone know of a diesel fuel additive that would allow me to use the old high sulfur fuel in my 2007 Sprinter. I must make a trip to Guadalajara Mexico but Mexico doesn't yet have the low sulfur fuel. A second question is how much of the old fuel could I use without hurting the 2007 engine?

#7 of 36 Re: Additive [2alaskans] by kenbaker

Mar 12, 2007 (9:06 am)

Replying to: 2alaskans (Mar 08, 2007 12:22 pm)
2alaskans,
I will check with other sites as well, but I cannot think of anything that would affect the "engine" due to standard diesel fuels in a vehicle designated for ultra-low-sulphur-diesel (ULSD), such as a 2007 Sprinter.
 
What will probably be affected is the particulate/emissions reducing catalytic convertor. This would take some time to build up an appreciable amount of Sulphur equating to a blockage or reduction of effective catalytic action. Altered-Sprinter (Altered-3) might have some of the actual specs on time to failure (reduction of emissions control effectiveness) with various fuels.
 
Any fuel additive would only dilute or possibly bind sulphur in the fuel... the burned fuel residue would still have the sulphur compounds present in it. Remember that the LSD fuel is NOT sulphur-free (it is merely Sulphur-reduced) and so it would also gradually damage something in the engine that is also affected by regular or LSD (low sulphur) fuels.
 
I am betting that the sulphur in fuels interferes with the BluTec (urea injection) process, and will be bad for those systems (make them ineffective). The Sprinters in the US market will not have the BluTec system for a another year or two (probably longer).
 
Being a fan of British literature I think I just completed and entire piece while spelling Sulfur as "Sulphur"... Thanks, C.S. Lewis... you made a geek(or anglophile) of me whether, or not, I wished to be one.
 
KenB

#8 of 36 Re: Additive [2alaskans] by kenbaker

Mar 12, 2007 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: 2alaskans (Mar 08, 2007 12:22 pm)
Also go here:
 
http://www.clean-diesel.org/
 
and here (U.S. EPA):
 
http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/
 
and here, special oils required for ULSD (2007 and beyond) engines (API classification - CJ-4):
 
http://www.apicj-4.org/
 
and follow the links there... lots of them to U.S. EPA stuff on diesel...
 
Like me, you will find that since 2005 diesel in the US has had to meet lubricity requirements to minimize wear in pumps and injectors...
 
Did you know that, I didn't yet.
 
Haven't found how long it takes for the sulphur to build up to unacceptable levels. this is probably a mystery or an SEP to the manufacturers and such testers/agencies.
 
KenB
 
SEP = somebody else's problem
 
PS
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) require ULSD or they may clog more quickly. they regenerate when you run them at a set exhaust temp, such as running down the road at cruising speed. they tend to clog more quickly in stop and go traffic and especially if you sit and idle for long periods then run flat out (repeat cycle, etc.).
 
You will have to have spec for periodically cleaning out the DPF (looks like a muffler and weighs more than one). The DPF may be in place of a regular muffler. Still no spec on how much LSD before it clogs (should use ULSD as required).

#9 of 36 Re: Additive [kenbaker] by 2alaskans

Mar 12, 2007 (4:03 pm)

Replying to: kenbaker (Mar 12, 2007 2:47 pm)
Thanks so much for your reply and the links you suggested. One can't have to much information.
 
Besides problems that might occur in using high sulfur fuel in a 07 engine, I'm concerned about any warranty issues. Dodge might say I voided the warranty not using the recommended fuel.
 
I have read that Stanadyne fuel additive pays for it self in better gas mileage and less wear, it is also supposed to add horsepower. I've read that Stanadyne is a industry leader in this area. Check out this web site. http://thepowershop.com/media/Diesel_Additive.pdf

#10 of 36 Meet The Members by jmattice

May 13, 2007 (7:12 am)

Jack Mattice here. We bought our Sprinter (Pleasure Way 158wb high-roof Class B motor home) this last March. Only 1,000 miles on it so far, but looking forward to another 400,000, probably mostly by the kids and grandkids. So far no problems.
 
I am stunned that such a technologically-advanced vehicle would have no steering wheel tilt.
 
I assume that I should run max air pressure in all four tires (80 psi)?
 
Looking forward to learning more here.

#11 of 36 Re: Meet The Members [jmattice] by kurt6

May 13, 2007 (11:34 am)

Replying to: jmattice (May 13, 2007 7:12 am)
Oh "NO" only 57psi in your front tires.Read instruction in your manual,or step up on driver side.

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