How to make your Mercedes Sprinter last *300,000 MILES!!*

[@SH-vb5ph]

We had one with 835k on the clock in ten years. It went all over Europe from Athens to the Arctic Circle. The guy that bought it keeps in touch, it’s over a million now.

[@stevel1451]

Cool, here in Australia Mercedes freely replaces the instrument cluster and maybe other components once a vehicle reaches a million. We run our MB vans all over the outback, at times enduring 50+ deg and unsealed roads and one thing sure, they’re bulletproof

[@MsAce0424]

Which motor did you have? The 4 cylinder 2.0L, 2.1L? Or the 3.0L? Whicb ever one you got, i want to buy it lol

[@cal87249]

miglia o km?

[@SH-vb5ph]

@@MsAce0424 OM612 - straight five 2.7L

[@SH-vb5ph]

@@cal87249 Miglia

[@HybridBattery]

I bought my 2008 in 2021 with 323k miles and have started my conversion. It was an airport shuttle and was driven 315k miles from 2008 to 2015. It’s in excellent condition and has no rust at all (even underneath) and they replaced the transmission in 2015

[@mehrzahl2219]

To be honest, if you pour in enough money you can make everything last half a million miles. Most camper vans suffer from standing still half a year and then get beat the sh*t out of them during the holidays.

[@thechronic4700]

You might also want to pull your engine cover and have a good look at the injectors for leaks ( black death) and if it's ok and you are capable change the copper washers for ones from a 2.2 honda accord they are thicker and you will never have a problem with leaks nearly all sprinters have the same problem. I spent 3 days digging carbon off to pull the old ones out then replaced with new seals and new bosh injectors. Just some good advice from dealing with a lot of them my uncle use to sell lots of mercedes vans

[@mandylad]

Thats a good tip about the injector copper washers. I've just bought a 15 plate sprinter 313 and ill check the injectors to see what they are like. How much are injectors to buy new?

[@thechronic4700]

@mandylad the life span of diesel injectors is around 250.000 miles so if the van is under that I wouldn't worry about replacing them tbh, it will probably cost 600 each injector new or 140 ish each to send them off to be reconditioned.

[@lillekeest1601]

Isn't the "black death" more of a 3-liter v6 thing..? I remember hearing that thing about the e350 mostly...

[@whyulyin]

We have a work van YB14EET and that's covered well over 720k and still going strong. Regular long runs and oil changes works magic.

[@thechronic4700]

My sprinter is 23 years old and in perfect condition underneath the 2015 one my uncle has is rusting all over the bodywork already plus with the older vans you get the joys of no emissions tests no dpf or cat, don't forget to change your diff and gearbox oil I had a 2007 sprinter also and the diff exploded destroying the gearbox and clutch in the process Also if you think something if wrong or start hearing odd noises go get it looked at it will save you alot of money if something important fails

[@stuartchapman5171]

@thechronic4700 I agree, I have salvaged many vintage trucks and buses. The oldest, a 63 Leyland bus is till going. 30yrs after I bought it as scrap. I changed the gearbox and diff oil. On several it came out like the caramel on a Mars bar.

[@stevel1451]

I have 3 high mileage 316 MWB sprinters working all over Australia. The oldest a 2010 has over 850k. None of the vans have been back to the dealer for any repairs and have never had a breakdown. We change the oil every 33k and replace the serpentine belt and all pulleys every 150k

[@stevel1451]

he 150k pulley replacement on our Benz’s is preventive maintenance as we are sometimes hundreds of kms away from any civilisation. We had a crafter awhile back that had a pulley let go and the damage it caused in the middle of nowhere was astronomical. That van was a mechanical nightmare and we sold it at 260k

[@AlaGamesMobile]

why that long with oil intervals?

[@johnmcneal9477]

I have a 2016 sprinter with the 3.0 liter motor. I would also suggest not to lug or spend an excessive amount of time idling these diesel motors. (or any modern diesel motor) These motors tend to run the most efficient and cleanest at 1600 RPMs or above. If I am in the city or traffic driving slow and l am lugging the motor in the low RPMs I will down shift a gear or two just to get the RPMs up. You will gum up the (DPF) diesel particulate filter and the (EGR) Exhaust Gas Recirculation value operating at low RPMs. Last time I checked, the Diesel Particulate filters are costing around $3500 each. Here is a fun fact. The EGR value on the MB 3.0 liter motor, recirculates 25% of the burnt gases/fuel back into the intake system to reburn. Modern diesel motors must pass the strict EPA rules just to get by. I live in a cold northern climate and many of the trades and delivery workers drive these vans and will let them idle all day long at the job sites in our cold winters. I have heard of a few stories of burning out motors under 100,000 miles because of this. It took me two years to find this out, but the 2016 3.0 liter motor automatically goes into Regeneration Mode every 315 miles. During this function, raw fuel is injected into the exhaust system and ignites at the Diesel Particulate filter up to 1200 degrees burning off the soot and unburned crud in the filter. Seems like they could engineer something more functional and clean?

[@MsAce0424]

Yea in most state DEF is NOT a "law". This DEF crap was thanks to states like cali. That being said, if ypur not in one of those ignorant lost states, DEF delete the dang van. It will last wayyyy longer. DEF kills diesel engines by hundreds of thousands of miles

[@porkrind3512]

In the old days (before diesel emissions), you could idle them. Not these days. Good idea with the dropping a gear in urban driving.

[@mizangeneralconstructionan6889]

I have sprinter van 2021 beautiful van so comfortable also I advice in cold weather turn the ignition on not the engine let it warm up

[@porkrind3512]

That won't warm the engine. That just keeps the glow plugs activated and will burn them out prematurely. But a block heater on it and plug that in.

[@jeremyecton3659]

You recommended to rust proof even new models (after 2013) - what do you recommend to do to rust proof it? For reference, I have a new (2023) sprinter and live in dry/hot area (never snows here) and dont intend to take it often to wet/snowy areas, what do you recommend for such situation?

[@stuartchapman5171]

I've just bought a 2011, low mileage one. I used to drive a varied fleet of them in London. The upkeep is pricey. Ivfind you have to pull away carefully as the first gear, as it says in the manual, is grsat for hill start and excelleration. Its a bit too low for flat standing start. Third gear is not too hot on the modern 20miles an hour speed limit if you hit an incline, neither is 4th at 30mph on a hill. I drive a Transit for work these days, not a problem.

[@kenty6973]

Change oil and filter less than 7500 miles. Change air filter, fuel filter and exchange Adblue (DEF) with new fluid every 2 years. And don't forget to change ATF every 4 years. The OM651 will last more than 300K miles!.

[@twjull]

It will nickel and dime you after 300k miles. The only way it will go any further is a complete engine replacement and transmission rebuild.

[@BlueAlgon]

Thanks. I'd like to get one of these (here in North America with automatic). What fuel economy do you get?

[@drivelife.channel]

Up to 40 mpg but usually around 35mpg :)

[@BlueAlgon]

@@drivelife.channel That seems to come to 8 L/100km. That’s incredible for a house on wheels. You do drive above 60 km/h sometimes, right? 😊

[@drivelife.channel]

@BlueAlgon yep it does take careful driving and mine is a manual 😁

[@123ChrisG]

Im looking for a van for conversion and seen quite a few of these sprinters for sale with over 500k miles on the clock 😅. Ive heard they’re designed specifically to last over 220k miles. Whereas most other vans are built to last around 100-150k miles.

[@raver4563]

Hi I’m currently looking for a sprinter van (LWB), but with all the different model numbers and engine sizes it’s difficult to know which to go for. It will be a camper conversion and looking for the best economy, but also able to climb hills without too much effort. Any ideas ? Also is there any particular year to avoid ,that may have been more problematic than others? Many thanks Dave.

[@martin-jj9pe]

I looked after 18 of them all of them had 350k by 4 years old you won't see a transit with that mileage without spending the same amount of money on repairs as you paid for the van,if you are doing 20k a year and you are doing delivery start stop I would do the oil every 5k

[@ADRIANBENNETT-c9w]

A Mercedes sprinter sleepwalks through 300,000.My last one did 460,000 before timing chain changed-Use genuine oil filter with low ash oil Shell rimula R6lme and you won’t go far wrong-Gear box rear diff every 100k .

[@davidgriffiths7696]

The previous owner wrapped it? What does that mean? Was it sanded back to bare metal and then sprayed with owatrol /waxol or something like that? And then repainted with a roller?

[@totalglitch]

So what is a better engine the 2.1 or 3.0? The 5 speed or 7 speed tranny? Thank you

[@em4703]

Both the inline 4 and the v6 diesels can reach high miles (I know someone with 3 sprinters bought from new, 3.0 om642 on them, all in the 700k+ km with nothing major so far besides consumables, even the timing is original). The secret is proactive maintenance, especially oil changes at 10k, 15k km max, pcv valve changed every 40-60k km (this will substantially reduce carbon deposits in the intake) etc.

[@stevel1451]

True. I only use Castrol low saps in our Mack and Sprinters 50k and 33k respectively, can you get vectron low saps in the UK

[@AlaGamesMobile]

if diy, then go with 2.1 easy to diy and aftermarket parts are all over the place, the om651 engine is made on a steel block

[@tonydiesel3444]

My CDI 06 has 300K runs perfect 500 miles to the tank in the city and 800 on the highway

[@skinnysim]

have one of those 2006 t1n , 200k love it runs like new in Florida

[@HP-ez2xx]

i’m looking at a crd 2008. So you recommend? low mileage belonged to a city fleet…

[@tonydiesel3444]

@@HP-ez2xx I have om648 straight 6 inline diesel not V6 I will not own V6 diesel too much problems not reliable I seen 800k on straight six and it runs perfect no internal work done to the engine

[@HP-ez2xx]

@@tonydiesel3444 thanks. i see the one i am looking at is the v6. mileage is crazy low… you would still stay away with super low mileage?

[@tonydiesel3444]

@@HP-ez2xx I don't know I'm not sure I study all engines but I'm not familiar I'm in USA they went to a V6 model in 2007 here I have 06 straight 6 motor for example the V6 Vans and V6 turbo diesel sedans here in America are for sale all the time cheap with a rod blown out of the side of the block

[@Stoff1]

The manufacturer recommended oil change interval is up to 37500 miles on certain newer models. Pretty shocking stuff many find!!

[@drivelife.channel]

Not sure I'd want to leave it that long! 🤣

[@stevel1451]

Engine engineering and oils have improved immensely over the years so manufacturers recommendation is acceptable. We run 316 sprinters and they all get a service at 33k period. Oil doesn’t wear out it contaminates. The main reason theses modern high speed diesel’s fail is thrashing from cold (only a fool doesn’t warm a diesel before driving). Think about this we also run Mack trucks, their service intervals are 50k, even pulling 100 ton, using the same engine oil we put in our Sprinters.

[@Stoff1]

@stevel1451 Fully agree. Try telling that to a lot of guys in America and they'd have an aneurysm! They like to stick to their 3000mile oil change interval from the 1950s.

[@tztz1949]

Installed a noise monitor on my engine. At 11000 miles the noise increases dramatically. Change oil and noise goes back to normal. 10k oil change is mandatory

[@tomjones8715]

If the noise goes away after oil change I would check your cam chain…

[@GWAYGWAY1]

My 316 motorhome has just popped the engine light on. I cleared it and it came back. Saying the particulate was blocked, but it was used on motorways so it has seemed to forget that it can do a regen.

[@drivelife.channel]

It could mean you have a faulty thermostat and the van isnt getting up to temperature :)

[@GWAYGWAY1]

@@drivelife.channel I checked that and 85+ degrees when running. It needs a forced regen but should not need to be if the system works properly.

[@Chiefwhodat09]

How do you stay warm in these sprinters if you can’t idle??

[@shaungilmartin1505]

diesel heaters

[@carltonthepug]

Pfft, Mine just hit 526,000 miles

[@ridefitnation]

Great video

[@Chris-vc1dh]

Do you think 2016 sprinter with 270k miles well maintained with service history at good price is sort of worth?

[@chipsrafferty8362]

No,run from it,run

[@abuwilliams7228]

Thank you so much for this.

[@Chris-vc1dh]

what type of oil is for this one?

[@KevinColt]

my 2002 313cdi sprinter is 1 million and nearly 100k miles, not a single oil leak engine runs like new

[@BLUEPUNK86]

I just looked at one today with 433K miles, and it's still running.

[@StephPNE]

Sprinter can bankrupt you but still a great van but once they start…engine lights battery drains for example it starts to get complicated

[@gratefultrucker7781]

Egr delete,run premium oil, change it every 4,000 miles.

[@stevel1451]

No run low saps oil and change 25k we never had a egr problem

[@normanran3589]

you don't have DEF , this is why

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Ivegot a 2007 w9th 136k on the clock barely bed in lol 😂

[@paultredgett1544]

My transit 2010 got 372.000 on clock still going oil change is the secret

[@ryhu5642]

My work one has 470,000 and climbing 😅

[@bayareaelectical]

What special he is trying to tell. It’s general knowledge to keep any vehicle in this world.

[@rudeman1914]

You probably don’t have DEF all our diesel including semi tucks and tow trucks here in US have them now. All kinds of problems and expensive repairs.

[@ptech88]

You got that right my 2012 diesel sprinter has cost me over $50,000 in repairs

[@jeffreycarter3066]

Should go well beyond 300k😊

[@DaeliaVanlife]

Me listening this video and just bought 400k sprinter😂

[@Chris-vc1dh]

really? what year?

[@czealtamahawk1228]

Not gonna happen here in US. MB diesel engines are marred with emissions control system that literally ruin the engine. You'd better be happy if these engines would give you 30k. It's possible in other countries but not here.

[@Truthh4040]

I feel like u should have said even 450miles .. Imean why not

[@ROUTEPLANNERPAUL]

Have deep pockets thats all i can say

[@MissDelia]

Probably best not to put any kind of mask on ever again for a perceived risk of getting a cold lol

[@thesolitaryadventurer]

Dangerous for people who only breathe through their mouths too.