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Dodge Sprinter Maintenance

85 messages,  Last post on Apr 16, 2013 at 5:54 PM

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

Messages Page 8 of 9

#65 of 85 Not that new. by jftfi

Feb 05, 2010 (6:32 pm)

2004 (2.7L Diesel) High Top 10 pass. loaded. I think the trans is the same. Watch close for leaks on the trans. My first was at 14,000 miles in the middle of nowhere. I would suggest you buy the trans. dip stick and carry along a qt. of fluid. What engine do you have and what kind of mileage do you get?
 
Good Luck

#66 of 85 144 / by ponchov

Feb 05, 2010 (9:58 pm)

No leaks..yet.
Will get the dip stick kit & the trans filter/& seal too.
This 144/2500 is w/ the v6 thick fuel user.
The best it has earned was 26.65 at 40 mph on flat back roads in the west.
Never stopped for over 250 miles, just kept pokin along.
 
On the everyday city use, it will constantly do a 21.5 & if I stay out of the turbo, then that is a honest 22.5.
However on the interstates at 70 mph & just under there is 21 constantly.
Pulling a trailer at 75+ mph it has dropped to 17 mpg. The trailer & its cargo weighted about 2500 lb.
 
I have gone on a 450+ mile back GA road trip & earned 23.
 
It should be noted that the turbo seems to be the biggest factor in the city driving or low speed. The design of the Sprinter is some what slick but the rear area is a huge void & there it seems to have a drag factor at high speeds.
 
My Sprinter is mainly used for my fun. So far I like it but like all the wheeled vehicles there are weak points which should be addressed.
 
I really must say that I really know very little about the Sprinter & got mostly good reports from UPS drivers & a few FedX as well. Have noticed the resale is rather high. That's why I opted for a new 08.
 
Know anything about the bio fuel some are using & others are being warned off about?
 
Thanks

#67 of 85 No more than 19mpg by jftfi

Feb 06, 2010 (6:59 pm)

2004 2500 SHC Wagon 140"
Have yet to get better than 19mpg. Highway, city, single air, dual-air, 70mph or 83mph all the same. Make sure your tires have the 80psi shown in the manual. I tried to lower the pressure to 50psi to get a smoother ride but lost about 2mpg. I have since been told that lower than 80 psi can affect the stability and anti-slip control functions.

#68 of 85 So many rules by ponchov

Feb 06, 2010 (8:31 pm)

These Sprinters are indeed the most special vehicles I have ever owned.
 
I'm going to get some long milage tires soon, 3 mths.
Only going to earn 30k miles on these Conties.
I certainly agree about the tire PSI.
 
What is your final drive ratio?
Mine has the trailer towing package, thus it is 4:10.
 
This year I have about 40K miles planned for the Sprinter.
 
I am out fitting it inside & outside as well.
Now I'm thinking I should go to the underside & install air bags, but that is $$$.
May have to to w/ the leaf springs stifferners...only $$.
 
What part of the country do you live?
Is your Sprinter used for transportation of many people?
 
Have taken side jobs just cause people I know, wanted to rent it from me & then just hired me to do the entire courier thing.
 
Just complete a insulation & installed a couple of bunks which fold up along the side wall behind the driver back back by the rear door. Fitted some reflected plastic white borad to help w/ the limited lighting.
 
Later, in about 5 months, I'm transporting 5 motorcycles out to Moab & two riders.
The other guys are going to fly in & fly back after a wk of playing.
 
Sorry, didn't mean to run off at the key board.
 
Thanks again about the handling & psi issue.

#69 of 85 Re: So many rules [ponchov] by jftfi

Feb 08, 2010 (11:11 am)

Replying to: ponchov (Feb 06, 2010 8:31 pm)
Travel for business but don't carry any weight. Have a 3:72 rear end. Michelin LTX A/T's came on the truck but I changed to the M/T series (same size) for better all weather use. This truck is so computer operated that changing tire size could be a problem. 80mph at 3000 RPM is my top speed on the highway. Limiter cuts in at about 84mph. Whats your top speed with a 4:10 and is this a 3500 series?

#70 of 85 Top End & the rear end by ponchov

Feb 08, 2010 (12:15 pm)

W/ the 4:10 trailer package which came w/ my 2500/144 cargo, the top speed is 82mph.
 
Another question about the fuel filter location.....the utube only showed for the earlier 5 cylinder.
I have be under the entire triuck & cannot locate the fuel filter.
Looked w/ a mech (independent)in under the hood.
He then went on line to a Tech Sprinter link & found only a drawing & it was so close up that we could not tell what the actual location was.
 
The link did say .9 hr was the flat rate for the replacement.
 
I'd be doing it myself but independents are really hurting here & he is a very honest mech who has this little one man operation who, in the past has gone way out of his way to help others. So if it is true about what goes around around.....then it may be my turn to go back around.
 
Will post the rpm for 80 mph later today. Need to refuel anyway.
My low fuel warning light comes on just about at 20.2 gallons.

#71 of 85 Is it worthy to rebuilt the tranny on 03 Sprinter by twinboy

Apr 03, 2010 (7:33 pm)

i have a 03 3500 high roof ext with 208K on it and the tranny won't shift out from the 1 st gear when it drive without any engine light show in the dashbroad. The shift indicator always stay on "D" and i can only drive up to 20 to 30 mph. i took it to a local AAMCO dealer and they told me it might need to rebuilt that tanny and it cost around 3 to 5k. They also told me the Sprinter has the same tranny as the Dodge Ram i'm wondering is that true or not? I was trying to take it back to the dealer which is Frieghtliner in NY Queen area and they told me it cost at least 6 to 8K to fix it. I'm wondering is it worthy to rebuilt that tranny or some of my friends told me that simply just try to get rid of it. They told me if something wrong with the tranny just don't even think to touch it. Also should i trust the guys from AAMCO since they said they're so good on any of the transmission problems Can anyone please give me some advice please. Thanks so much
 
PS always had bad experience with the dealer too

#72 of 85 another possibility from a borg mech by ponchov

Apr 04, 2010 (3:45 am)

I'm not going to say this will be a quick fix but have you considered a strong forced flush. Drain the trans first & then force flush the converter & the cooling system of the trans. From 5 to 8 grand sounds like, I'd be trying other possiblities.
This treatment was suggested to me by an old mech when I had a borg transmission years ago. It helped me keep moving for another year but the shifting was never like new again. My cost was less that 100 USD.
 
The crud which exited the port has made me a believer in fluid replacement before the manual states.
 
If you do replace your current transmission don't just throw away the old unit. It still has some valve at a repair shop.
 
But whatever you do be sure to clean out the converter & fluid cooling system before bolting up a different unit. Who knows what is still in that old fluid.

#74 of 85 Dead Chassis Battery by okyman

Apr 20, 2010 (7:45 am)

Have a 2006/2007Leisure Travel Free Spirit on a 2500 Dodge Sprinter chassis with 16000 miles that we purchased in January 2010. Three times now we have found a dead chassis battery in the morning when we have had the camper plugged into 110 v. I know the camper is separate from the chassis but that is the only time that happens. No lights or other power draw was left on. The last time it happened I opened the hood and there was a hum from the EGR valve. How could the power to the EGR be on when the key is turned off. Anyone have a similar problem? It is obviously intermittent but needs to be corrected.

Messages Page 8 of 9

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