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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 9 of 9

#75 of 85 mpg by christgeorges

May 18, 2010 (9:32 am)

I have a 2008 Sprinter wagon with the 3.0 CRD. I'm only getting 15 to 17 mpg. I was told by the dealer that I would be getting, after break-in period, 22 to 24 mpg. Am I doing something wrong? Sprinter has 16k miles.

#76 of 85 mpg w/ loaded trailer by ponchov

Jun 13, 2010 (6:40 am)

15-17 is about what my 08 is earning while pulling a trailer, loaded down w/ fuel & 5 motorcycles while on the freeway. I have learned that 2400 rpm doing 65 mph is the best top mph to use if trying for better mpg & still not holding back traffic, much.
Otherwise w/ just Sprinter going down the freeway at 2400 rpm/65 mph the 08 2500, 144 will earn an honest 23 mpg on mostly flat driving.
It should be noted that if I increase my mph just 5 mph the mpg (while trailering fully loaded) will drop to 13. I just completed a cross country trip & when in west TX the posted speed is 80 mph while on the freeway. I earned only 11.6 mpg going from El Paso to San Antonio. That was long enough to get a real mpg reading at the posted hiway speed.
 
Mpg can be influenced by size of tires & psi in the tires. I tried a slightly taller & narrower tire in order to lower the rpm at 65 & 70 mph, before the cross country trip. It was a desire. Took it to the dealer to see if something else was out of wack. It should be noted that the correct tire size is the stock mounts. I have gone to a higher load range E. I usually pull a trailer when traveling cross country so the correct ratio is important to keep the torque & hp at its best level at the lowestest rpm....that is at 2400 rpm. Check it out.
At 65 mph or 2400 rpm our 2500, 144, V6 CRD Sprinters are reaching 150 hp/280 ft lb. Contact your dealer, they have the actual spec on the rpm levels.
Something else about the taller tires I tried earlier. The steering was very different.
The Sprinter would follow the rain grooves in the hiway much more from the correct size tires. It had a wobbly/loose feeling at high speeds.
I have 33,000 miles on my 08 & am pleased w/ the city & freewqy handling of the Sprinter.
My dealer is in Jax, FL & located at 7233 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park Dodge. Ask for Denice, he is the only tech who is going to touch my Sprinter.
Didn't buy my Sprinter here but have only had 100% honest service done here.
They helped me better understand these power curves & what was better for my type of driving.
 
Mpg seem to vary from Sprinter to Sprinter. Even in the same year some vans earn more or less that others. Would be neat to test them w/ the one driver. I don' kick my turbo in full power very often. I do warm ups before taking off & cool downs before shutting off the motor. Hope this helps.

#77 of 85 loss of power by luvmysprinter

Jul 12, 2010 (11:06 am)

I own a 2004 2500SCH Sprinter van with 88,000mi. on it. I have begun to experience an intermittent problem with loss of power. I will usually start out ok, will run the vehicle up to 70mph and set cruise control. All of a sudden the van slows to 65mph as if the cruise has been disengaged, which it has not because it will maintain the 65mph unless I am going uphill. Using the gas pedal does not work to accelerate. I have pushed it to the floor and the motor does not rev up. I have tried disengaging the cruise and using the gas pedal and nothing happens. After this happens and I get off the freeway the van does not accelerate properly. You can push the pedal to the floor but the van will only gradually pick up speed. and will not go over 2000 rpm until you coax it back up to 65mph and the it tops out at 2200rpm. What could be the problem? This went on for about a week and then it stopped. Van ran fine again for about a week. Now the problem is back again. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

#78 of 85 Re: loss of power [luvmysprinter] by jftfi

Jul 12, 2010 (1:08 pm)

Replying to: luvmysprinter (Jul 12, 2010 11:06 am)
Your in luck!
Same thing just happened to me on the same truck, same year and same mileage. Your truck is going into what they call a limp mode status. Just got mine back from Freightliner (The engine is still under warranty, so did not try to fix myself)) and the problem was leaks in the air hoses to the engine and turbo. This is a common problem. They replaced both (recommended) and completed recall. Total cost $465.00. I am now changing all belts and hoses as well as coolant. If this would have happened out of town it would have been a mess. It took 3 days before they could even look at the truck and two more days to order the parts.

#79 of 85 Re: loss of power [jftfi] by luvmysprinter

Jul 12, 2010 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: jftfi (Jul 12, 2010 1:08 pm)
Thanks for the quick response. Fortunately my Freightliner dealer is only a 20 minute drive from here. Will get it in tomorrow.

#80 of 85 Loss of power by jftfi

Jul 14, 2010 (1:35 pm)

I just replaced my main drive belt (fan belt). I wish I would have had it done when it was in the shop. These belts are by vin. number and a major pain to replace. If you do not have a shop manual you will be hard pressed to figure it out (poor design). It took me three hours. My existing belt was worn out (80,600 miles). I normally change belts at 60,000 miles but time got away. I made a drawing of how it runs on the engine, to carry in the truck, in case I need to use the old one in an emergency. Check the electrical connection at the transmission. I have had the o-rings replaced twice.

#81 of 85 Re: Oil Filter. [trapperbill] by walltr34

May 28, 2011 (3:52 am)

Replying to: trapperbill (Jan 12, 2009 7:42 am)
Advance Auto Parts has them for about $8, I know this is 2+ yrs late.

#82 of 85 Re: Good Source for Sprinter Maint Items [2007sprinter] by walltr34

May 28, 2011 (4:28 am)

Replying to: 2007sprinter (Jan 25, 2010 11:55 am)
Sprinterfilters.com - $33.25-fuel filter(Hengst), $28.59-cabin filter(Mann)
free shipping over $60
Advance Auto Parts - $8.29-oil filter(Fram) $71.49-air filter(K&N reusable)
                                  $11.99-air filter kit(K&N)
gonna check your suggested site for price comparison, thanks, Mike

#83 of 85 Re: Loss of power [jftfi] by prayoub1

Jan 19, 2012 (6:09 am)

Replying to: jftfi (Jul 14, 2010 1:35 pm)
Thanks for the tip on the o- Rings, I will check mine ! I have found that when I changed the serpentine belt, I drew a little diagram to know the "path" the belt was routed in. After that being done it was a 5 minute job. The path can be confusing so it is worth having another van to look at, or to draw a quick diagram. The retractable flywheel that is spring tensioned easily moves to fit the belt also. Good luck next time ! Paul Ayoub Naugatuck

#84 of 85 winterization by tim198

Sep 16, 2012 (8:23 pm)

Just purchased a 2006 Sprinter and am curious about winterizing the unit. It says to drain the water tank, I cannot find a valve to drain the tank.

Messages Page 9 of 9

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