Sprinter Transmissions
minicoopers
Member Posts: 26
in Dodge
I see that Mercedes Benz offers a manual transmission for Sprinters exported to South Africa. Does anyone know what would be involved in getting a 5 speed manual gearbox (G28-5) ordered or installed in a U.S. sold Sprinter?
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DC/MB only ship automatics to the US. Not sure why you prefer a standard, the automatic is very good on performance, power transmission loss is minimal (economy is high for an automatic), the computer control is optimal in most cases, the downshift includes lockup on the automatic and aids in braking effectively. Automatics typically have HIGHER towing specs as the torque convertor allows easier startup of heavy loads and less "shock" on other components.
With lockup in all gears except 1st, your mileage penalty is minimal, for many drivers the automatic will get better mileage, longer miles between services, and fewer other mechanical troubles. Of course, you may bet against the automatic and win in your particular situation.
Your Dodge or Freightliner mechanics are not trained to repair all of the possible variations sold world-wide. :surprise:
KenB :shades:
PS (just a joke my friends and I have...) Thinking of hauling your mini-cooper inside your new Sprinter?
Do you have a source for a new Tremac 6-speed manual transmission? I tend to favor manual transmissions especially on smaller 6's and DOHC 4's.
What could be the cause and should I worry about it?
My Sprinter is a 2006, 3500 with 5 cylinder engine and
automatic tranny.
The noise which is somewhat of a growling, happens at slow speed just prior to a gear shift when in heavy traffic and accelerating very gently.
Things to have checked:
1) transmission fluid level (requires special tool as the dipstick is NOT included on your vehicle). Also, this requires a Computer-Read temperature reading for accuracy.
2) If it has always been yours, it should have the correct fluid, but if not, it may have incorrect fluid (it must be fully synthetic ATF, MOPAR or Mercedes Benz rated). Also, the transmission fluid changes are critical and whomever you have do them MUST use the correct Fully Synthetic ATF fluid matching the M-Benz specs or you can expect odd behavior and shortened life for your tranny.
3) Does pressing the accelerator gently make it worse, and more throttle (quicker time to get to speed) reduce the effect? If so, this is pretty normal, but can be reduced by getting the correct level and insuring the correct fluid is in use.
4) an aftermarket )? rear ?(, I think, drive-line bracket is available that is stiffer and transfers less of the vibration to the frame/body... not a bad idea, but I tend to think it is better to reduce the cause, than to reduce the effect. Then again, a thin support member could be allowing a bit of oscillation that enhances or even causes the problem to be noticeable.
I have had the problem, but not much (2004, 2500, 2.7L CDI)
KenB :shades:
In Europe they drive 1 mil. km with no problems. This is my 2.nd sprinter and both had problems with the transmision @ 250 000mi. Mercedes did not design a heavy duty transm and the one we have are to sensitive for us. A manual transm. would have solve everithing.
In general american mechanics are not god on sprinter, they don't know much.
I own a sprinter since 2001, and had lots of problems, i fixed them all of them, including changing of the flexi plate.Besides, they over charging the custommers.
About maintanance, a manual transmision would req. just a new clutch, depending on the driver also, so at the end,it is not a big deal to changa a clutch.
Sprinters are not to be sold for US in my opinion, comparred to Ford or GM transmisioin, wich you drive 600K with same oil in the transmision. Please agree with me , i will not buy another sprinter. ?? ask me, i know much about sprinters.
I don't agree with Fords and Chevys going 620K miles with original oild/grease/trans fluid in them... that is not so in my experience. Fluids need changing.
That is now an issue for me in the Sprinter. I have friends who work on Mercedes here in Oklahoma and they are in touch with the Guys in Edmond Oklahoma (Silver Star, I believe) who have rebuilt Sprinter trans on EBAY regualrly... they recommend 60K mile Trans Fluid changes for the life of the trans and are looking to trial at least one trans cooler for the Sprinter as well.
I believe that MB and DC were looking for ways to recommend these changes (instead of the one change at 80K miles), but were reluctant to re-neg on their original promise. Does anyone know the spec for the trans used behind the new V-6 Diesel?
Over charging is a real problem at least according to many reports on this and similar forums I have been on for the last two years. Technician knowledge of Sprinter issues is all over the map, and I am certain that some DODGE dealerships have been slipping non-Sprinter-qualified techs into Sprinter repairs and maintenance to (finally) get them out the door. Good techs are hard to find all the way around. Good techs are craftsmen and people with the drive to be a craftsman have many high paying options these days.
Craftsmen in the past were the top of the heap, still can be. But engineering, computers, medicine, etc. rule the top.
KEnB
Now all sprinters i know, was damaging at 250k or litle over.
I spoke with the deallers and they said what is the big deal of changing a transmision @250k? Well it is, for a name like Mercedes to go a third less than an american car.
Thank you
In the past, the highly regarded FORD C6 (heavy duty) was good for about 120K before first bebuild, they should be much better now due to improved fluids, better control (electronic), electronic torque convertor lockup should have helped as well.
I can't rememmber whether our old FLM (ford/lincoln/mercury) C6 died from T-C problems, valvebody problems or bands/clutches... but it was actually guaranteed after rebuild better than the factory warranty at that time. I do remember that the fix required a new T-C, but it may have been a casualty of other failures.
Mercedes maintains that the Mean Time To Failure, properly maintained, for a Sprinter (about %50 failures) is over 400K miles... I think that is not right for american market... perhaps it is the transmission that brings the numbers down as you propose.
KenB
Now i hear a noise in the engine, can't point to it. It is when the engine is started in P or Drive, and it increase the noise while accelerating and vice versa when decelerate. It is not the belt or pulleys witch i must change them @120k.
For the transmission they over price the cost and labor, ( i bought it my self and did it on my driveway),(1600 for a used one with 70K on it).
Personally, i don't recommend Sprinter anymore. This is my second one. And the cost of the vehicle plus the cost of maintenance is really not profitable, unless $ means nothing to u.
Today, no mater who u are, can do the no headache way, buy a GMC gas for 22-23, and u will be out of trouble for a easy 4-500k. (personal known reference).
Thanks Daniel Jurge
1.If the American Vans, GM and Ford 2000 built, are going 5-600 k mi. with no problem ( with same trans. oil), then a Mercedes (considering the name ) should go 7-800 k mi with no problem
2.The fluid ,can not help the poor quality parts in the transmission (my opinion).
3.With triptronic option (semiautomatic transm.) the life should be much longer: no jamming or rough gear change is occurring when you manually control the gears.
4.If Chrysler acknowledges the short life of the sprinter transmission, they should have already come up with a better solution, redesign them, or lower the price of the transmission ($9-$10,000 for part and labor is ridiculous).
My opinion still is not to buy a sprinter. Instead, buy a gm or ford, install a high top roof, and you have a domestic sprinter, where any Mr. John can fix it, if you can't do it youself.
P.S.
I still have my second sprinter as long as it is running (million repairs already, Flex plate again, etc ....)
Daniel
Daniel
Check at very hot transmission operating temp,in park,motor running,on 100% level
ground.
Got it back today and the tranny slipped aga :confuse: in wanting to down shift. Took it back to the dealer and one of the techs mentioned it might be the gear shifter mechanics
blah blah etc.. I have a sick feeling I paid for a new tranny and it was not the problem in the first place. I could not go anywhere else for a second opinion as this is the only dealer in town that works on Sprinters.
Anyone else out there with this kind of problem.
i just wanted to share my thought.....
800.369.6601
They don't have a lvl stick.
I bought a aftermarket custom made, i never used it.
I can resell it.
Tip for sprinters prior 2006.
Transmission is burning the oil to fast. I installed a small trans. radiator, (boughed from Autozone) between the front radiator and the transmission. ( cut the hose, hock it up, and add about 1qt or what capacity).
If you drive in hot weather condition, mountain area, or haul heavy like 2000 + lbs , this is a problem you can fix.
1-st sprinter 250 k
2-nd sprinter 355k
Maintained and repaired by me.
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