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S Bradley · 11-14-2015, 11:14 PM

I am interested in tabulating the Newer Sprinter 3500 Cut Away problems:
If you are providing information on the 2500 please indicate, so that I can combine it or separate it depending on common usage between the two.

Engine troubles - EGR
Transmission - torque converter, EGR, leaks, low fluid
Fuel System - fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel injection
Electronics - ignition, charging, Wiring
Bluetech emissions - sensors, heater

Camper Ken · 11-16-2015, 01:56 PM

It will be interesting to follow this thread as I have a 2016 Winnebago/Itasca Navion on a 2015 Sprinter 3500 chassis. I've only owned it for 5 months, total mileage approximately 2200. No problems with the Sprinter chassis.

88keys · 11-16-2015, 06:21 PM

You can delete this post if you'd like since it's outside of the year parameters that you've specified, but, we own an '08 Sprinter 3500 based RV :
#1) Completely seized EGR Valve assembly : Mercedes Service actually had to break the cast housing to get it off. $900+ bucks.
#2) Several issues with the EGR before it finally did get replaced, as above, including several instances of limp mode performance. This vehicle only had 11k miles on it when we bought it.
#3) Several instances with turbo "O" ring and gaskets being "tightened" then "re-tightened" being "put on wrong" ([moderator edit] by who ?)
#4) When we bought it, we literally just drove off the lot and an oil related "O" ring came loose...we lost 2 litres of oil all over the engine bay and the highway....thankfully, we only drove a couple of kilometers.
#5) Twice...we had glow plug issues...the first service center replacing the glow plug without replacing the module, $400 bucks, the second service guy exclaiming the the first service guy was an idiot for not replacing the glow plug module along with the glow plug...another $300+ bucks.
#6) Extremely costly oil changes ! I've decided to do as much as I can myself including oil, filter, fuel filter, routine EGR cleaning/maintenance with every oil change from now on.

My "Ford ?" Frickin" ZERO problems ! As in 0 !

Old Crows · 11-17-2015, 09:30 AM

'14 3500. 10,700 miles. Zero problems in any area.

('08 2500 10,000 miles, replaced an exhaust sensor in the emission control.)

Comment:

Well, it's complicated...

Not sure "cutaway" is right. 3500s are used for Class B, C and A RVs. "B.s." use the van chassis and Cs and As use the "chassis cab." Doesn't matter what is on its back...the chassis/drive trains are the same.

2500s are also found under B.s. Same drive trains....chassis has less capacity and single rear wheels.

All use the same drive train the V6 3.0L turbo diesel w/ 5 speed....except for the 2015s. There is another power train besides the V-6. It is the I4 twin turbo w/ a 7 speed in both 2500/3500 chassis.

Some time in '13 and later, the emission controls became known as Blue-tec. They have SCR and require DEF. '12s, and earlier, had DPF w/o Blue-tec & didn't need DEF.

My point is that perhaps to be a valid data set, there has to be a differentiation between drive trains and Blue-tec and non-Blue-tec within the year range and not between cut-away 3500 by year.

S Bradley · 11-19-2015, 01:31 PM

Thx for your input, I agree should generically Mercedes 3500.

I would like to differentiate between how it is used because of the weight differences between vehicles. Additional stresses on transmission (more frequent shifting, higher operating temps).
3500 Cutaways typically used on B+ or C class.
3500 B class
2500 B class
3500 A class

I had a 2012 Pleasureway on a 2011 3500 chassis that used Blue Tec. That was my reasoning for including 2011.

Thx, any help from you or others using Mercedes is appreciated.

S Bradley · 11-19-2015, 08:11 PM

Thx for joining in. I too own a 2014 Navion V on the Sprinter chassis, in the past a 2012 B Pleasureway on the Sprinter.

jackfish · 11-19-2015, 09:19 PM

2013 Sprinter 3500 with 30,800 miles. Not one problem with any system listed.

Old Crows · 11-26-2015, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S Bradley

Thx for your input, I agree should generically Mercedes 3500.

I would like to differentiate between how it is used because of the weight differences between vehicles. Additional stresses on transmission (more frequent shifting, higher operating temps).
3500 Cutaways typically used on B+ or C class.
3500 B class
2500 B class
3500 A class

I had a 2012 Pleasureway on a 2011 3500 chassis that used Blue Tec. That was my reasoning for including 2011.

Thx, any help from you or others using Mercedes is appreciated.

Ok. I understand. After thinking a bit.....(dangerous!)

I dont think weight will work well as a discriminator. Most folks don't know their weight...but we do know the stated GVWR for the different chassis, 2500 & 3500. As I understand the various years and drive trains, there's the V6 5 speed and lately the It 7speed. The V6 is only slightly different with Blue-tec. Which is my point. Same V6/7s drive train between 2500s and 3500s. Might be a difference in axle ratios only.

A difference might be found in organizing between straight up vans; class B (built out as RVs and likely to be consistently higher gross weight; and, class C & box vans which are higher gross weight AND large frontal areas, wind side loading, and draggy rear ends.

Just more thoughts...