sprinter 3500 Engine blown

[singo2]

Is it possible for a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 3.0L V6 DOHC (DI) to have a blown engine after 20,000 miles. I have Good Sam extended warranty service and they are denying the claim due to our failure to maintain proper qualities or levels of coolants, fluids or lubricants, which is untrue.

I bought the motorhome from Camping World with 15,000 miles on it, had it in a Mercedes dealership two days later for check engine light which they repaired, proceeded to drive 5000 miles, got home, changed oil with proper oil and filter, drove five miles and engine seized and wouldn't move. Had it towed to Mercedes in Liberty Lake WA. Here it sits. I would love to get ahold of someone at corporate Mercedes but can't figure out how to do that. Did send a message to MBUSA, but no answer yet.

I need help as to what to do.

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by singo2

Is it possible for a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 3.0L V6 DOHC (DI) to have a blown engine after 20,000 miles. I have Good Sam extended warranty service and they are denying the claim due to our failure to maintain proper qualities or levels of coolants, fluids or lubricants, which is untrue.

I bought the motorhome from Camping World with 15,000 miles on it, had it in a Mercedes dealership two days later for check engine light which they repaired, proceeded to drive 5000 miles, got home, changed oil with proper oil and filter, drove five miles and engine seized and wouldn't move. Had it towed to Mercedes in Liberty Lake WA. Here it sits. I would love to get ahold of someone at corporate Mercedes but can't figure out how to do that. Did send a message to MBUSA, but no answer yet.

I need help as to what to do.

If it seized 5 miles after you changed the oil it is likely a mistake was made. A very common mistake is placing the new oring at the top of the cannister threads against the flange, it does not go there and if placed there you will lose all your oil in short order. The oring has a groove which is about 1/2" in from the cap flange of the cannister.

[bigb56]

As far as what to do I would push hard on Good Sam even if you need to enlist an attorney, and in case it didn't puke out all the oil and something else caused it to seize push hard on MB as well. Some have been known to get at least partial relief by pushing MB. A new OM642 engine is around $26,000 installed last I heard.

If it was caused by all the oil being lost due to a mistake by you, contact your insurance as well, it was a mistake and that's what insurance is for, to cover us when we screw up. Let your insurance and Good Sam battle it out.

[Argosy]

If it dumped enough oil to seize in 5 miles the bottom should have been dripping oil. Did you look at it or the ground after it was towed?

[d23haynes57]

If it did dump the oil there should have been an oil pressure warning light or low gauge reading to let you know something was wrong.

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by d23haynes57

If it did dump the oil there should have been an oil pressure warning light or low gauge reading to let you know something was wrong.

Unfortunately Mercedes did not provide the NCV3 Sprinter with any such thing. They don't even give you a dip stick, oil level is measured by pushing a button on the steering wheel key on engine off. There is no oil pressure light or gauge, or even a sensor to report to the ECM.

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by bigb56

Unfortunately Mercedes did not provide the NCV3 Sprinter with any such thing. They don't even give you a dip stick, oil level is measured by pushing a button on the steering wheel key on engine off. There is no oil pressure light or gauge, or even a sensor to report to the ECM.

Hard to believe a vehicle of that level does not have some form of oil pressure warning. If that was the problem.

[David 70]

Is this one of those engines that require a very specific type of oil? I was in the local repair shop the other day and he was getting oil out of a small container and putting in and I asked if he didn't have bulk? He said that engine needed a specific oil and not enough used it so he could not get it in bulk.

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by David 70

Is this one of those engines that require a very specific type of oil? I was in the local repair shop the other day and he was getting oil out of a small container and putting in and I asked if he didn't have bulk? He said that engine needed a specific oil and not enough used it so he could not get it in bulk.

It requires oil that meets MB 229.52 spec of which there are hundreds to choose from, but that's just for protection of the DPF. It can and will run on just about any oil, some folks use 15/40 diesel oil and say to hell with the dpf. But in order to maintain the emissions warranty the 229.52 spec oil is required.

[rpeders]

If you haven't already, I would also suggest posting on sprinter-source.com forum. Between here and there you will have significant amount of expertise at your disposal.

[George Schweikle]

I have a friend whose Ford Diesel engine failed under warranty, and Ford denied the claim because of "not maintaining the oil, etc". This may be a standard reply to deny anyone who doesn't have detailed maintenance records.

Before activating a lawyer, I suggest taking your case to your state insurance commissioner's office. Filing a claim, or whatever, with that office may be what you need to get the attention of Camping World, Good Sam and Mercedes Benz. And, document & date everything right from the start including phone calls & conversations.

Then research your Good Sam policy and understand if it is inclusion or exclusion. That is, does it state what is covered, or what is not covered.

Originally Posted by singo2

Is it possible for a 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 3.0L V6 DOHC (DI) to have a blown engine after 20,000 miles. I have Good Sam extended warranty service and they are denying the claim due to our failure to maintain proper qualities or levels of coolants, fluids or lubricants, which is untrue.

I bought the motorhome from Camping World with 15,000 miles on it, had it in a Mercedes dealership two days later for check engine light which they repaired, proceeded to drive 5000 miles, got home, changed oil with proper oil and filter, drove five miles and engine seized and wouldn't move. Had it towed to Mercedes in Liberty Lake WA. Here it sits. I would love to get ahold of someone at corporate Mercedes but can't figure out how to do that. Did send a message to MBUSA, but no answer yet.

I need help as to what to do.

[Paul_D]

Originally Posted by bigb56

Unfortunately Mercedes did not provide the NCV3 Sprinter with any such thing. They don't even give you a dip stick, oil level is measured by pushing a button on the steering wheel key on engine off. There is no oil pressure light or gauge, or even a sensor to report to the ECM.

Sprinters before the 2019 with the OM642 engines have dipsticks. Beyond 2019 its electronic.

[Paul_D]

https://sprinter-source.com/forums/i...threads/49499/

[Winterbagoal]

Just curious.
What was the MIL code, cause, and repair of the CEL that the MB dealer "repaired"?
How many quarts of oil did your engine take when you changed the oil?