Sprinter Van warning!

[nehog]

Just a heads up, especially for older Sprinters with a DPF exhaust setup...

My partner took the Winnebago ERA Sprinter RV for a trip out west. On the way home the smelled something *bad* and eventually found charred carpet and a cabinet somewhat burned directly above the exhaust system.

Apparently the system did a DPF regen, which generates enormous heat in the exhaust system. We believe there is a crack/hole in the exhaust system that we were unaware of, which allowed extremely hot exhaust gases to overheat the floor, and after that the carpet/cabinet! We won't mention the damage to stuff on the floor either, let's say it was not good..

The carpet was well damaged, the wood can be fixed (refinished) and they are safe, but it was (in my opinion) a very, very close call!

Make absolutely sure, if you have a Sprinter with DPF emissions, to make sure the exhaust system is in good condition! And if you ever smell anything unusual--check out what it is!

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by nehog

Just a heads up, especially for older Sprinters with a DPF exhaust setup...

My partner took the Winnebago ERA Sprinter RV for a trip out west. On the way home the smelled something *bad* and eventually found charred carpet and a cabinet somewhat burned directly above the exhaust system.

Apparently the system did a DPF regen, which generates enormous heat in the exhaust system. We believe there is a crack/hole in the exhaust system that we were unaware of, which allowed extremely hot exhaust gases to overheat the floor, and after that the carpet/cabinet! We won't mention the damage to stuff on the floor either, let's say it was not good..

The carpet was well damaged, the wood can be fixed (refinished) and they are safe, but it was (in my opinion) a very, very close call!

Make absolutely sure, if you have a Sprinter with DPF emissions, to make sure the exhaust system is in good condition! And if you ever smell anything unusual--check out what it is!

This is not just a Sprinter issue. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is on all diesel vehicles in USA since 2007. The DPF goes to 1,200 degrees F during regeneration. The diesel exhaust systems require proper maintenance and service to make sure it does not leak.

[Mr.Mark]

Wow, never had an issue with that on the three coaches that we owned.

My Prevost and Monaco would indicate when the system was doing a 'regen' but I haven't noticed it on my Sprinter yet. I'm only at 8,200 miles.

Thanks for the 'heads-up'.

Safe travels,
Mark

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Mr.Mark

Wow, never had an issue with that on the three coaches that we owned.

My Prevost and Monaco would indicate when the system was doing a 'regen' but I haven't noticed it on my Sprinter yet. I'm only at 8,200 miles.

Thanks for the 'heads-up'.

Safe travels,
Mark

Yes, quality diesels like your Prevost and Monaco plus many other diesels have an indication when in regeneration mode that produces the super hot exhaust. But not a Mercedes Sprinter. This is my biggest gripe about Mercedes approach to diesel emissions - keep the user in the dark. No indication of regen, no indication of the DEF tank level until it is near empty and you only have 10 more starts. You can add your own regen indicator via a Scan Gauge or other ODB device, which is what I did.

Mercedes did take a step in the right direction with 2019 models. They added a DPF fill indication and a DEF tank level indication on the dash menu options. But still no direct indication when in regen mode. You can now tell when in regen by monitoring the DPF fill indicator screen, but you have to bring it up on the steering wheel menu controls.

[nehog]

Word from the exhaust shop is that there was a "Big A$$ hole in the top of the pipe!"

repairs in progress...

(Had to take it to a shop because it is too tall to fit on my lift!)

[Mile Marker 42]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

This is not just a Sprinter issue. The DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is on all diesel vehicles in USA since 2007. The DPF goes to 1,200 degrees F during regeneration. The diesel exhaust systems require proper maintenance and service to make sure it does not leak.

I own a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee that came from the factory with a Mercedes-Benz 3.0 V6 NON Def diesel engine.

[edstep]

Thanks good to know

[deckape]

Maybe the winter road salt buildup caused the problem .

[nehog]

Originally Posted by deckape

Maybe the winter road salt buildup caused the problem .

Doubtful as we don't drive it under winter conditions. In the winter it's either in covered storage or in the deep south were snow doesn't dare show itself!

[R Cabesa]

People ar confusing two different things here


DPF Diesel Particulate Filter is installed on diesel vehicles from 2007 on


vs.


DEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid used on diesel vehicles from 2010 on.


Though DPF vehicles do regen, it is not the scorching hot process that DEF vehicles do

[nehog]

Why can't I insert an image! [Mod edit] Frustration maximum. Arrrrrrgggggggg.

OK, great picture of the hole in the exhaust system which no one but me can see because the forum's not letting me put a picture inline unless I have a URL to it!

[nehog]

OK, got it. Image uploaded. Sorry about the rant.

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by R Cabesa

People ar confusing two different things here


DPF Diesel Particulate Filter is installed on diesel vehicles from 2007 on


vs.


DEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid used on diesel vehicles from 2010 on.


Though DPF vehicles do regen, it is not the scorching hot process that DEF vehicles do

Not following you here, a DPF regen is totally separate from DEF injection, why would a pre-DEF system have a cooler regen temp than one with DEF?

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by Mile Marker 42

I own a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee that came from the factory with a Mercedes-Benz 3.0 V6 NON Def diesel engine.

DEF & DPF 2 different things, DPF starting in 2007 and DEF added in 2010