Mercedes-benz Sprinter 3500 problems

Common Mercedes-benz Sprinter 3500 problems

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 is a popular vehicle known for its reliability and durability. However, like any other vehicle, it is not immune to certain issues. Here are some common problems with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 based on complaints from owners:

• Glow Plug Failure: The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 uses glow plugs instead of spark plugs to help the engine fire up. However, these components don't last forever and can fail over time. If the glow plugs fail, it's essential to have the necessary Mercedes Sprinter Van repair in Plano TX.

• Broken or Damaged Flex Pipe: The flex pipe on the Mercedes Sprinter Van is known to malfunction, break, and cause problems with the engine. In many instances, the pipe will develop a hot exhaust leak and melt the flex pipe wiring. The scorching exhaust can also melt the DEF nozzles and DEF lines, leading to a total engine shutdown until you have flex pipe replacement.

• Rumbling Sound or Bad Torque Converter: If your Mercedes Sprinter Van feels like you are driving over a rumble strip on the side of the highway, you are experiencing the "Rumble Strip" noise. This problem can often be attributed to incorrect or low transmission fluid that makes your vehicle drive much rougher. The most common cause of the Rumble Strip noise is a faulty or worn-out torque converter clutch. The repair for this problem is to rebuild the torque converter clutch.

• Clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF): The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is a key component of your diesel engine. It works to filter out exhaust particles to prevent the black smoke from being expelled through your Mercedes Sprinter Van’s exhaust. However, over time, debris and particulate can cause the Diesel Particulate Filter to be clogged, which can severely disrupt the flow of exhaust. If your exhaust isn't exiting the engine, you will experience significant performance issues. Ignoring the problem can lead to a complete total shutdown.

• DEF Heater Failure: The primary role of the DEF heater is to prevent your Diesel Emission Fluid from freezing. The DEF heater works with the DEF/AdBlue tank, which can freeze up if it doesn’t have the right amount of heat from the DEF heater. And if you’re having DEF heater problems, it can trigger your Check Engine Light. The problem may not be as noticeable during the warm and hot season because the liquid will not freeze. But when temperatures drop, the fluid will likely freeze in the winter months. This known problem can impact all Bluetec Mercedes Sprinter Vans, especially those made in and after 2010.

• Oil Cooler Leaks: Oil cooler leaks are common on the 2007 to present models with the OM642 engine. The oil cooler seals are where most of the engine oil leaks take place. As of late, Mercedes has updated the seals with a better material made from Viton which increases their life. Because reaching it can be difficult, the oil cooler can be expensive to repair. The turbocharger, intake manifold, and other parts have to be removed to gain access to it.

• Glow Plug Problems: Just like all diesel engines, the glow plugs and modules in the Sprinter will not last forever. Sometimes the plugs will break off in the cylinder head. There is a special tool to drill out and extract the glow plug without removing the cylinder head. Pricing can vary on glow plugs, depending on the engine and year.

• Injector Issue or Black Death: Another problem usually called “Black Death” is the copper seal ring which is located in the middle of the injectors and can deteriorate over time, causing combustion gasses to escape. In turn, the black tar and coal-like material will accumulate over the fuel injectors. Removing and/or replacing injectors are usually required to fix this issue.

It's essential to have regularly scheduled maintenance for your Mercedes Sprinter Van to detect minor issues before they snowball into more expensive repairs. Preventative maintenance can save you time and money in the long run.