need feedback on the new dodge sprinter vans
- Thread starter david63
- Start date
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
not many gas engines in expediter sprinters. all diesel.
use the search /advanced/ and type in this way "sprinter". this will give you more sprinter info than you may need. but it is all good to know.
use the search /advanced/ and type in this way "sprinter". this will give you more sprinter info than you may need. but it is all good to know.
I have an 08 2500 extra long and tall diesel Sprinter. I bought it not because I thought they were good, I needed the space for a customer I used to have in my pre FX days. Here is what I have learned so far about the new style Sprinters.
Maintenance can be expensive. The Sprinter is a Mercedes and uses things that are European in nature. Specifically, you can't just go to Wal-Mart and buy oil, filters or even coolant for it. And be fully aware that if you ignore the specs and put in what you think will be OK, bad things happen. You can with a bit of effort find this stuff though. Amazingly, most Flying J's actually sell coolant that meets the spec, Oil can be bought from Valvoline and Mobil to name a couple, just make sure it meets MB 229.51, CJ-4 oil is not OK to use. Wix makes filters so that's gotten a lot cheaper. Changing the oil yourself is super easy so you can save a few bucks that way too.
They are very pleasant to drive. I've been a GM guy all my life and I admit that I like driving my Sprinter (come on FX find me some loads so I can!!). They are a bit challenging in the wind but it is a big vehicle so it shouldn't be a surprise. The aftermarket is starting to have suspension upgrades available, just be careful what you install (especially air springs). Fuel mileage on the new ones is still ok, at around 20mpg. The interior space is unbelievable. I have room for 3 skids and I have a permanent 40 inch bunk sealed off from the back. If I wanted to, I have the room to do jumping jacks up front. I tried once just to see if I could, then stopped right away and hoped nobody saw it.
There have been some issues with the EGR valves. There has been a recall to update the ECM to make the valve work better. A lot of the EGR issue are a result of poor fuel, lots of city driving or idling, and the wrong engine oil. I had no issues so far but had the update done anyways.
All in all, I have had good luck so far, but if GM would make a van this big I would buy it simply because of parts and service cost and things on a GM (or Ford) are a bit heavier (frame suspension hubs axles etc)
PS, the stock Continental tires on them are very poor.
Maintenance can be expensive. The Sprinter is a Mercedes and uses things that are European in nature. Specifically, you can't just go to Wal-Mart and buy oil, filters or even coolant for it. And be fully aware that if you ignore the specs and put in what you think will be OK, bad things happen. You can with a bit of effort find this stuff though. Amazingly, most Flying J's actually sell coolant that meets the spec, Oil can be bought from Valvoline and Mobil to name a couple, just make sure it meets MB 229.51, CJ-4 oil is not OK to use. Wix makes filters so that's gotten a lot cheaper. Changing the oil yourself is super easy so you can save a few bucks that way too.
They are very pleasant to drive. I've been a GM guy all my life and I admit that I like driving my Sprinter (come on FX find me some loads so I can!!). They are a bit challenging in the wind but it is a big vehicle so it shouldn't be a surprise. The aftermarket is starting to have suspension upgrades available, just be careful what you install (especially air springs). Fuel mileage on the new ones is still ok, at around 20mpg. The interior space is unbelievable. I have room for 3 skids and I have a permanent 40 inch bunk sealed off from the back. If I wanted to, I have the room to do jumping jacks up front. I tried once just to see if I could, then stopped right away and hoped nobody saw it.
There have been some issues with the EGR valves. There has been a recall to update the ECM to make the valve work better. A lot of the EGR issue are a result of poor fuel, lots of city driving or idling, and the wrong engine oil. I had no issues so far but had the update done anyways.
All in all, I have had good luck so far, but if GM would make a van this big I would buy it simply because of parts and service cost and things on a GM (or Ford) are a bit heavier (frame suspension hubs axles etc)
PS, the stock Continental tires on them are very poor.
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On the older Sprinters the transmissions heat up too much. It is better to install a secondary cooler to aid in keeping transmission temps within norms. I'm assuming the newer sprinters have the same transmission so this should still apply. Fram also makes filters for the oil and can be had for a lot less than the dealer.
Rob
Rob
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
It may well (apply) - unless the cooling system has been redesigned to incorporate a larger transmission cooler in the radiator.
I would agree that a secondary would be a wise move in any event - for the cost (less than $100), it's cheap insurance.
hmmm...
My fluid comes out the way it went in....no discolouration and no burnt smell.....weird eh? 394,000 now...
My fluid comes out the way it went in....no discolouration and no burnt smell.....weird eh? 394,000 now...
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
You are blessed OVM .... must be all that clean living .... 
I drove from Sweetwater, TX over to Abilene (about 30 miles) today and my tranny fluid temps - with an additional auxiliary cooler - were running around 200°F ..... and that was on flat ground (with an ambient air temp of around 94°F), maximum 60 mph, and unloaded .....
But whatever you are doing is working, so far be it from me to tell you to do otherwise .....
I drove from Sweetwater, TX over to Abilene (about 30 miles) today and my tranny fluid temps - with an additional auxiliary cooler - were running around 200°F ..... and that was on flat ground (with an ambient air temp of around 94°F), maximum 60 mph, and unloaded .....
But whatever you are doing is working, so far be it from me to tell you to do otherwise .....
You are blessed OVM .... must be all that clean living ....
I drove from Sweetwater, TX over to Abilene (about 30 miles) today and my tranny fluid temps - with an additional auxiliary cooler - were running around 200°F ..... and that was on flat ground (with an ambient air temp of around 94°F), maximum 60 mph, and unloaded .....
But whatever you are doing is working, so far be it from me to tell you to do otherwise .....
Well Halleulah...Yeah ok...*LOL*
Isn't this more expensive then gold tranny fluid SUPPOSED to handle the heat better?
Had 4 services up to now....NO excessive filings around magnet YET!
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
what is the optimum temp?
I have no idea....but in all this time I have not burnt up any tranny fluid (discolouration/smell)) I don't have a temp gauge...I am sure Turtle or RLent knows....Now I have a complete service at least once a year...75-100,000 miles....I think it is helping
Almost forgot...
Some of the new 08's and 09's are having driveshaft hanger brg and u-joint problems. I've had one go and started to hear another one on last night's trip. Another forum I belong to for Sprinter owners is starting to see a trend.
Once it is out of warranty I will be getting a real driveshaft made that has U-joints you can replace (factory requires complete shaft replacement!!)
As far as the oil temp, anything between 160 and 200 degrees is ducky, 240 is OK for very limited stretches. Mine runs around 170. The engine oil runs around 180.
Some of the new 08's and 09's are having driveshaft hanger brg and u-joint problems. I've had one go and started to hear another one on last night's trip. Another forum I belong to for Sprinter owners is starting to see a trend.
Once it is out of warranty I will be getting a real driveshaft made that has U-joints you can replace (factory requires complete shaft replacement!!)
As far as the oil temp, anything between 160 and 200 degrees is ducky, 240 is OK for very limited stretches. Mine runs around 170. The engine oil runs around 180.
and normal tranny temp would be?
Mine runs around 170
My GM duramax runs about 160
My oatmeal I had for breakfast was 130 but cooled off once I climbed the hill er.... stairs.
Kool....
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
The ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association) has stated that if fluid can be held to 175°F or less, and kept clean, an automatic transmission will last nearly indefinitely .....
FWIW, I'm seeing engine oil temps of 200°F+ currently (90°F+ ambient temps, unloaded, flat ground, light driving - 60 mph or less)
I have seen them as high as almost 215°F - 220°F (much cooler ambient temps, loaded, and pulling long mountain grades) - it remains to be seen where the top end is as far as temps go, since I didn't have the gauges on last summer.
Since the engine oil cooler in these engines (both new and old L-5 and V6 diesels in the Sprinter) is tied into the cooling system there is some correspondence between coolant and engine oil temps - although the coolant will shed heat much more rapidly than the engine oil will - probably due to the fact that the coolant is exposed to air flow via the radiator.
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Do you try and keep your engine clean from any oil spillage or whatever to help reduce the temp?
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
Oh yes ..... in fact I scrub it regularly with a toothbrush .... (..... not ....)
Assuming you weren't just being facetious, and were actually asking in earnest, I have occasionally hosed off the engine at the quarter wash ... there has never been any significant accumulation of oil spillage (yes - I am that good .... and I don't even use a funnel ....) .... mostly just a road salt issue more than anything ....
Assuming you weren't just being facetious, and were actually asking in earnest, I have occasionally hosed off the engine at the quarter wash ... there has never been any significant accumulation of oil spillage (yes - I am that good .... and I don't even use a funnel ....
) .... mostly just a road salt issue more than anything ....
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
well i just ran into a fella with a gasser sprinter. v-6 '07. dealer asked 27k and he offered 22k. says it gets 18 mpg all day no matter the load and terrain. it is also a 144" wb and a low roof model. still has 11 ft of space inside.
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
back in 06 i talked to a diesel owner of a short n low and he claimed 30 with his truck. that 18 was at 5 over also,