10 Things That Commonly Tend to Go Wrong With a Sprinter Van

A Sprinter van is rightly regarded as a workhorse that you can usually rely on to help you do your work and get to where you need to be. However, as with many makes and models, Sprinter’s do have certain characteristics and notoriety when it comes to regular issues that require a trip to your service center.

What sort of sprinter van repair is most commonplace? Let’s take a look at what is most likely to go wrong with a Sprinter van. These are the faults and issues that are good to know about, so that you can keep an eye out for the telltale signs or prepare yourself for what might happen when your Sprinter goes wrong.

Listen for the telltale sign of a problem with your torque converter

If you inadvertently drive over a rumble strip on the road, you soon know about it. The classic rumbling noise is designed to alert you and make you change course. However, your Sprinter van might develop a problem with its torque converter, which produces the same characteristic sound.

This is often caused by either a lack of transmission fluid, or the wrong type being used.

If you hear a rumbling noise and you haven’t driven over a rumble strip in your Sprinter, it would be wise to get it checked out as soon as possible.

Your glow plugs could let you down at some point

Cold weather conditions often serve to highlight weaknesses and issues with your vehicle. Sprinter vans have a bit of a reputation for suffering from glow plug and module failure with its diesel versions.

These glow plugs have a tendency to fail at some point. The good news is that they are relatively inexpensive to replace. Get the condition of your glow plugs checked when your Sprinter is next being serviced, so they are less likely to let you down when the temperature drops.

Look out for the countdown that tells you your Sprinter won’t start when it reaches zero

If your engine management system detects a potential malfunction you will get a countdown warning appear on your display screen.

This warning tells you that there are ten remaining starts before the engine will not start, for safety reasons. Once you get to zero, your Sprinter won’t start. If you see this message, urgently check to see if it’s the oxygen sensors, or a lack of diesel exhaust fluid.

Don’t ignore the problem, or you will be stranded when the countdown gets to zero.

Is your Sprinter suffering a loss of power?

Another protective measure that is an integral aspect of the van’s safety features is its so-called Limp Mode.

As the name implies, your Sprinter will operate under reduced capacity to prevent a serious engine failure. You will need to get your Sprinter to a service center if your vehicle is losing power, as it is probably in Limp Mode.

Check your exhaust pipe for leakage

If your exhaust flex pipe develops a leak, it can cause your engine to shut down, using the countdown warning already mentioned.

Sprinter’s have a tendency to leak from the flex pipe. When this happens, it can damage or destroy electrical wiring. This will prompt your vehicle to go into a protective mode and trigger an engine shut down at some point soon.

Watch out for a DEF heater failure

This heater is designed to prevent your diesel emission fluid from freezing. If your DEF heater fails, it will likely show as a “check engine” warning on your dashboard.

This amber light should never be ignored. If left, there is a chance that the emission fluid tank could burn out, which could be a costly replacement bill.

The consequences of a clogged diesel particulate filter

This filter is specifically designed to capture particles from your exhaust and prevent harmful substances from being released.

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) is designed to adjust its capacity and temperature level to cope with the demands you put on it. However, its capacity has a propensity to be exceeded when you drive for long distances at a constant high speed. When this happens, the DPF can become clogged.

This problem can be diagnosed using a diagnostic tool at your service center.

An oil cooler leak can be an expensive problem

A common issue with Sprinter vans is to see an oil leak from your oil cooler gasket.

It often happens when your vehicle passes the 120K milestone in its life. The bad news is that it is a gasket that is hard to reach and a labor-intensive repair job.

If your oil cooler gasket does start to leak, you could be spending more than you expect to replace it. A way of avoiding this scenario would be to check if your Sprinter has a gasket made from a material known as Viton. This has been shown to offer a longer life than previous gaskets.

Even the slightest crack in your intercooler hose can spell trouble

Sprinter vans have a bit of a reputation for problems with cracking and leaking intercooler hoses.

Even the smallest leakage can alert your engine management system to trigger its Limp Mode function. It’s always a good idea to check the condition of these hoses and other connections on a regular basis.

Prevention is better than the cure. A simple cursory glance at their condition could save you a whole lot of trouble and expense, if your Sprinter goes into Limp Mode.

Watch out for an issue with your turbo resonator

Another regularly reported issue with Sprinter vans is when the turbo resonator develops a leak.

A faulty seal or “O” ring is usually the culprit. It has a tendency to come away if the seal weakens or loosens. Again, checking if it’s secure when you look under the hood will take a matter of seconds, but will save you time and money in the long run.

In all fairness, Sprinter vans are generally reliable and a great option for hauling cargo around. As long as you are aware of some of its common faults, it will help you to be vigilant and know what to do when you get a warning that something is not right.

Regular checks and servicing can often be money well spent, when you consider the cost of some of the repairs when issues are left unchecked.