Community Forums

Jacjetlag · 03-13-2019, 03:10 PM

Hi....My 2014 Merc. Diesel with 60k miles on it is going to the shop tomorrow to have seals replaced on the oil cooler.

As simple as that sounds, it isn't. Roughly a $2,000 job!

The engine, otherwise is a technological marvel. It get 35 no kidding mpg in the AWD SUV it's in if I set the cruise at 57mph.

Is there any history of this oil cooler issue on the RV world? We're all set to buy a Tiffin Class C on the MB chassis. Mercedes has had this engine (OM642) out for a long time.....have they solved that problem or is it still going on?

Yes, I have gone to the ends of the internets to find out. Just hoping y'all might be able to edify me.

Winterbagoal · 03-13-2019, 03:59 PM

I've never heard of it, but that's not definitively "NO".

You might want to re-title your post to mention the "oil cooler seals failure" and post it up on Sprinter-Source.com - they have at least one Sprinter technician over there that will more than likely know the answer.

luvlabs · 03-14-2019, 08:22 AM

Never heard of your problem in the RV world but it doesn't mean that it won't/can't happen.

One thing when looking at Sprinter based class C coaches - watch the OCCC. This is your carrying capacity (people, water, food, and stuff) and in a Sprinter, it is limited. Anything under 1000 lbs means that with normal things on board, you are going to be overweight. The weight sticker is on the driver's (and sometimes passenger's door as well) and will tell you what you have to work with. Tiffin, unfortunately, has not learned how to build light on the Sprinter chassis. Checkout Winnebago built Sprinters while you are shopping.

Winterbagoal · 03-14-2019, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvlabs

Never heard of your problem in the RV world but it doesn't mean that it won't/can't happen.

One thing when looking at Sprinter based class C coaches - watch the OCCC. This is your carrying capacity (people, water, food, and stuff) and in a Sprinter, it is limited. Anything under 1000 lbs means that with normal things on board, you are going to be overweight. The weight sticker is on the driver's (and sometimes passenger's door as well) and will tell you what you have to work with. Tiffin, unfortunately, has not learned how to build light on the Sprinter chassis. Checkout Winnebago built Sprinters while you are shopping.

Agreed, and should have added the same caveat to my first reply. Companies like Tiffin and Isata offer floorplans with Murphy beds/full wall slides, and sometimes also add hydraulic/electric leveling jack systems, that push the dry weights up closer to the GVWR on the Sprinter chassis, and that's why there's sometimes less OCCC on their models.

Jacjetlag · 03-14-2019, 10:55 AM

Re: the Tiffin

We've done the math. Just two adults and we travel lightly. Even with auto-level, we're a few hundred below CCC in our "touring" configuration.

Re: Mercedes diesel

In the SUV it's rated at 240hp and 455 lb.ft.
In the 3500 Sprinter you get 188hp and 325 lb. ft.

My mechanic says it is the same exact engine, the diffrence being that there is virtually no competition for the Sprinter. The SUV is head to head with the Audi Q7 and BMW.

Winterbagoal · 03-14-2019, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacjetlag

Re: the Tiffin

We've done the math. Just two adults and we travel lightly. Even with auto-level, we're a few hundred below CCC in our "touring" configuration.

Re: Mercedes diesel

In the SUV it's rated at 240hp and 455 lb.ft.
In the 3500 Sprinter you get 188hp and 325 lb. ft.

My mechanic says it is the same exact engine, the diffrence being that there is virtually no competition for the Sprinter. The SUV is head to head with the Audi Q7 and BMW.

Ask him if there's a way to get those SUV numbers, in the Sprinter version.

Jacjetlag · 03-14-2019, 04:49 PM

Just spoke with the mechanic.

We dodged a bullet on the oil cooler....she no leaky, but just a small braded hose to replace. $300 for that and an hour of trouble shooting.

This is at a really competent local non-MB owned shop. They also showed me how to do a "top side" oil change where you don't have to drain the oil out the bottom. The filter is near the top of the engine, too. He says every 10k miles between changes is what he does on his own 3.0, air and fuel filters every year. He drives his about 13,000 miles per year.

DIY...$60 for 8 qts of synthetic oil and a filter vs. $250 at the MB dealer.

+++++

His response to add power for the 3.0 Merc. Diesel...."You can chip it or send the ECU guts out for a reprogram. Not recommended, says he. Warranty will be voided and the fuel/air mixture might not be very turbo friendly."

I'm wondering if the SUV OM642 actually has something different about it? It has a 7-speed Auto. that might be helpful for an RV. Vehicle weight might be too much for that trans.

Winterbagoal · 03-14-2019, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacjetlag

Just spoke with the mechanic.

We dodged a bullet on the oil cooler....she no leaky, but just a small braded hose to replace. $300 for that and an hour of trouble shooting.

This is at a really competent local non-MB owned shop. They also showed me how to do a "top side" oil change where you don't have to drain the oil out the bottom. The filter is near the top of the engine, too. He says every 10k miles between changes is what he does on his own 3.0, air and fuel filters every year. He drives his about 13,000 miles per year.

DIY...$60 for 8 qts of synthetic oil and a filter vs. $250 at the MB dealer.

+++++

His response to add power for the 3.0 Merc. Diesel...."You can chip it or send the ECU guts out for a reprogram. Not recommended, says he. Warranty will be voided and the fuel/air mixture might not be very turbo friendly."

I'm wondering if the SUV OM642 actually has something different about it? It has a 7-speed Auto. that might be helpful for an RV. Vehicle weight might be too much for that trans.

The Sprinter OM642 version takes 12 qts of oil for starters. The newest Sprinters are being fitted with a 7 speed transmission. Upgrade, say many. I suspect the different applications of the OM642 engines in this thread suggests they do have more differences than the HP/torque numbers?

richardgood · 03-14-2019, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacjetlag

Hi....My 2014 Merc. Diesel with 60k miles on it is going to the shop tomorrow to have seals replaced on the oil cooler.

As simple as that sounds, it isn't. Roughly a $2,000 job!

The engine, otherwise is a technological marvel. It get 35 no kidding mpg in the AWD SUV it's in if I set the cruise at 57mph.

Is there any history of this oil cooler issue on the RV world? We're all set to buy a Tiffin Class C on the MB chassis. Mercedes has had this engine (OM642) out for a long time.....have they solved that problem or is it still going on?

Yes, I have gone to the ends of the internets to find out. Just hoping y'all might be able to edify me.

Alternator $1500 plus, transmission wiring harness $4000, turbo hoses $$$. I would buy a Ford any day. I ran a fleet of both, Fords were way cheaper and more reliable.

Jacjetlag · 03-15-2019, 08:44 PM

"...The newest Sprinters are being fitted with a 7 speed transmission. Upgrade, say many."

+++++

Most 3.0L diesel SUVs come with paddle shifters. I wonder if the Sprinters will? The 7 speed will probably get 1-2 better mpg.

Mr.Goodbar · 03-25-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacjetlag

Most 3.0L diesel SUVs come with paddle shifters. I wonder if the Sprinters will? The 7 speed will probably get 1-2 better mpg.

Sprinters have the mode where you move the lever over to left and then use it like a paddle shifter +/- to change gears. Real nice when going down steep roads, to keep the speed down and not have to ride the brakes (although they are 4-wheel disc with ABS).

CharlesinGA · 03-28-2019, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacjetlag

I'm wondering if the SUV OM642 actually has something different about it? It has a 7-speed Auto. that might be helpful for an RV. Vehicle weight might be too much for that trans.

The seven speed NAG2 is used on the Sprinters with the 2.0L four cylinder. Looks like the new Sprinters are getting the 7G-tronic transmission on the 3.0L finally. Winnebago built a few Views and Navions with this engine, but very few, they might even have a chassis or two left for a custom View build. The dealers would not order them. One guy on the V/N forum got a dealer to order one and at the time WBO had several chassis left in the yard with the 4 cyl, and he got them to build him one.

Charles