Sprinter Repair

As with any automobile, your Sprinter will last longer if you follow a solid plan of preventive maintenance services. The manufacturer provides a recommended schedule in your owner’s manual, and we’ll be glad to help you determine what’s needed and when, as well. In general, Mercedes-Benz recommends certain maintenance points be completed at 10,000 mile intervals. One of these is an oil and filter change. The sprinter will need approximately 13 quarts of oil. The other fluids will need checking and topping off as necessary, too, and the fuel filter should be changed. Brake pads, rubber boots over joints, and shock absorbers should be checked, also. Inspect all lighting for proper function, and check all wearable items like windshield wiper blades, belts, and hoses. Finally, the maintenance counter should be reset post-service. Taking care of this maintenance checklist will head off many major problems, but some repairs can’t be avoided. While we’ll need to check your van for accurate diagnosis, some repairs are more common than others. For example, glow plugs (the heating element that aids in diesel ignition) eventually wear out and need replacing. Another issue is sometimes referred to as the “black death.” It’s an issue with a seal ring that allows gas by-products from combustion to escape, allowing a build-up to form on the injectors. Also common, you may have to replace the flexible exhaust hose and maybe even nearby wiring. The exhaust heat is intense enough to damage the pipe in some cases. Worse, the fumes that exit through the damaged area are hot enough to ruin any nearby wiring. Yet another Sprinter-specific issue is with the oil cooler. The gaskets sometimes develop leaks, allowing oil to escape and resulting in a fairly significant oil leak.