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Dodge Sprinter Engine Problems

45 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 6:13 AM

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

Messages Page 2 of 6

#2 of 45 Re: Engine temperature problem [jgureemka] by kurt6

Jun 15, 2007 (11:42 am)

Replying to: jgureemka (Jun 15, 2007 10:56 am)
Water-Pump????????????????

#3 of 45 Re: Engine temperature problem [jgureemka] by kenbaker

Jun 18, 2007 (8:56 am)

Replying to: jgureemka (Jun 15, 2007 10:56 am)
1) get it up to temp... highest temp that is.
 
2) Pull off the road very soon, while hot (don't shut down first). With A/C on and at hottest temp. get out (van in "PARK") and check that both the fans are running (aux. a/c fan and engine fan). Obviously the engine fan should be turning as the engine is running.
 
3) then shut down van. Grab fan (remember engine should be OFF), and spin by hand. If it spins easily and/or does not stop spinning very quickly, then the fan clutch is spent and a new fan clutch is needed.
 
4) restart the engine right away and let idle (or drive again) to let the engine oil cool down a little (and the turbo to cool off). As my dad has been warned on other turbo-diesels, don't go from full out hot-running to totally stopped without having a bit of run-down time to let temps stabilize at the normal values.
 
My sprinter also runs a bit hotter above 80 outside with A/C running, especially climbing hills (even gentle ones) as the turbo is running due to fuel useage to keep up speed.
 
Not likely to be water pump unless it is binding (you said no leaks, full system), also could be other accessory dragging and/or fan belt not running accessories correctly (cracked, glazed, worn to cord on backside).
 
Correct oil being used? also affects temps. Fully synthetic? Oil full, but not over full?
 
Best guess is same as yours I think: fan clutch.
 
Second guess is that the electric fan is not kicking in (I think it will run even with A/C off if the temp is going high. It seems to do so climbing steeper hills in 5th gear at 70-75 MPH).
 
Please let us know what you find.
 
Thanks
KenB

#4 of 45 2008 Sprinter 2500 with huge exhaust white with light blue smoke by zgcyl

Feb 01, 2008 (8:39 am)

I bought a 2008 sprinter 2500 3 week ago. It just ran 700 miles now. But I was stoped by a police on highway because the huge white with light blue smoke came out of this van and said it's unsafe to drive this van. I start to notice: it's realy big smoke from exhaust pipe with no much smell. I call dealer right away they just said: drive by they will take a look. While I'm talking with dealer, the big smoke suddenly stoped. After a hour drive to the dealership it did not happen again. Dealer found no problem on anything, I have no idea what so ever.

#5 of 45 2008 Sprinter generated huge smoke from exhaust pipe? by zgcyl

Feb 01, 2008 (10:26 am)

I bought a 2008 sprinter 2500 3 week ago. It just ran 700 miles now. But I was stoped by a police on highway because the huge white with light blue smoke came out of this van and said it's unsafe to drive this van. I start to notice: it's realy big smoke from exhaust pipe with no much smell. I call dealer right away they just said: drive by they will take a look. While I'm talking with dealer, the big smoke suddenly stoped. After a hour drive to the dealership it did not happen again. Dealer found no problem on anything, I have no idea what so ever.
 
Additional Details
I drove this van for 4 hours already while the smoke was developed.

#6 of 45 Re: 2008 Sprinter generated huge smoke from exhaust pipe? [zgcyl] by kurt6

Feb 01, 2008 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: zgcyl (Feb 01, 2008 10:26 am)
check EGR

#7 of 45 Vibration at idle by ranito

Nov 30, 2008 (9:16 pm)

I read an article on the Harmonic Balancer and it seems to explain my problem.
I bought my 2003 / 2500 van
at eBay. It had a terrible vibration when stopping and some
vibration at 2000RPMs when running. The local
transmission place here in Half Moon Bay, Ca. rebuilt the transmission at a
very high cost ($4200). The vibration when stopping is gone and only once
in a while I feel vibration when coasting at 20-30MPH. The problem I have
now is when it idles there is a low roaring (low harmonic) vibration at 1/2
second intervals, something like: ROW, ROW, ROW etc. if I increase the idle
100 t0 200 RPMs the roaring stops and sounds very nice. Question:
Can this be caused by the Harmonic Balancer? if so, I am afraid it will destroy
my newly rebuilt transmission also can the idle RPMs be increased and how this is done? Any suggestions/advise will be appreciated.
I am 60% done converting the van to a mini motor home for two, when it is
done I will post pictures and more yet plan to provide information, drawings
list of materials for anyone that wants to convert. Thanks

#8 of 45 feul injectors by 1g8r

Dec 03, 2008 (8:54 am)

Hi
I have two 2003 3500 Dodge Sprinters that I've had since new. Both have approxmatly 150K miles on them. The first one developed a loss of power around 125K and the problem was traced to leaking fuel injectors around the seal for the injector and caused replacement of head, all injectors and injector seals. The dealer replaced these items. The second Sprinter has the same problem and I've removed the injectors. There doesn't appear any damage to the head and I plan on changing the seals,cleaning everything up ( looks like a coal mine under injector cover ) and reinstalling the injectors. Have any others had this injector problem and if so how did they correct it? Am I to expect to do this seal change as a maintenence item every 100K miles?
Thank you for any help.
1g8r

#9 of 45 Dodge Sprinter Diesel won't start in ex-cold weather by raymkf

Jan 04, 2009 (12:30 pm)

My Dodge Sprinter 2007 will not start in extreme cold weather (-30F). (14400km) Took it to the dealer they installed a circulation heater in the heater hose (1000W). Again the Sprinter would not start in minus 30F weather after the heater was installed. The dealer asked for it to be towed in. They checked the circulation heater they said it was working, it must be something else. After two days probing it, they determined that the computer was not allowing the glow plugs to stay on long enough. They said it would be ok to take it home and when starting leave the key on longer up to 60 secs, it should start okay. When the new part is in,then bring the Sprinter back and fix it in a couple of weeks.
The temp dropped to -40F over night Jan 04-2009, the sprinter wouldn't start, now I have determined that the circulation heater must not be properly installed. My next step is to get an independent Mechanic to check the circulation heater.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks

#10 of 45 glow plug problem by ernstck

Jan 11, 2009 (11:08 am)

Has anyone else had glow plugs malfunction / become unremoveable causing cylinder head to need replacement? I have a 2003 Freightliner Sprinter with this problem-$6500
bill and not under warranty, according to Chrysler.

#11 of 45 Re: glow plug problem [ernstck] by lindeneng1

Feb 18, 2009 (4:24 am)

Replying to: ernstck (Jan 11, 2009 11:08 am)
ernstck
I have had glow plugs swell in diesel cylinder heads making them impossible to remove or sheering off during removal and leaving the heat portion frozen in the port.
In all cases I have been able to remove them and the remaining debris without replacing the head; although in many instances I have had to do bench work on the head to clean it and make it serviceable again.
I am interested to know what has rendered the damage to the extent that the estimate is $6500--CURIOUS
Dennis

Messages Page 2 of 6

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