Please Help 2005 Bought

Hi Everyone,

So I'm an auto dealer here in Florida and bought a TMU (True Mileage Unknown), though showing 158,xxx on the cluster, '05 Sprinter High-Top Extended 2.7L Diesel from auction for a family member's business as a favor. I wasn't able to test drive prior to purchase and took a chance with this one. For all curious, I paid $3600 + Fees.

1) Engine Power loss under load, particularly induced by hills.
2) Grinding/Rumble noise (Deafening) and vibration while driving, particularly when pulling foot off accelerator and decelerating.
3) Check Engine Light On
4) No Radio (c(-

Took it to a reputable Mercedes Mechanic ($110) and they came back with INTERCOOLER HOSES (901 528 54 82) & (901 528 53 82), Both Lower Ball Joints Up Front, Both Struts Up Front, Both Tie Rods Up Front, Both Stabilizer Bar Bushings, Both Stabilizer Bar Control Links, Brake Pad Sensor Front, Front Brake Pads & Hardware. $3,312.75 PARTS & LABOR TOTAL

It feels good and the proposed suspension and brake problems are not noticeable while driving. They said a bunch of codes were stored and the only one that came back after clearing them was the "Low Turbo Pressure" code. Looks like the intercooler hoses may fix the power loss issue. I am able to change them myself.

They don't do drivetrain apparently and I'm still not certain as to what's causing the grinding/rumbling while decelerating. Maybe Rear End, maybe Driveshaft, Maybe Transmission. The mechanic did say that an aftermarket Torque Converter was on it.

I called a shop that specializes in Sprinters in Miami and the mechanic himself told me that a modification to the Transmission Valve Body (Hole Drilled Mod) would take care of the grinding/rumble ($1200-$1500) and that he's seen people replace the rear end and that his fix is what ultimately does it (It was never the rear end).

Otherwise it's a good Sprinter. It has close to 340,000 miles estimated by the AutoCheck; come to find out.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Cheers.

If its what we call RSN (Rumble Strip Noise) then it is easily fixed. $1200-1500 seems about $1000 too much for that modification job. Search for RSN on here and you will find the fix. Although an ATF change using the correct fluid usually prevents it for the next 20k or so.

Sounds like a knackered uncared for rig. Do some homework, the purchase price was decent, but if you need a new transmission or differential/drive shaft the good price will disappear. I’ve never heard of RSN being all the time, so I wouldn’t suggest the trans mod untIl you have done a oil and filter change for the trans(I recently found it can work wonders) if you have almost constant RSN after doing correct spec oil and filter change , something else is wrong, and that little mod will at best hide it. Oh and the lower ball joints are often diagnosed as bad when still good because the method of diagnosis is different for the Sprinter front end, but only Sprinter specialists know this. Also your list say front brake pads but not rotors...usually when the pads are gone the rotors need at least to be turned. Unless “hardware” means rotors? In your position I would sort the transmission/drivetrain before doing the brakes and suspension stuff, also the front end work is a little on the high side, and you don’t need a Mercedes “specialist who don’t do drivetrain “ to do front end brakes and suspension.

Agree with Patrick.
My 2004 had a bit of rumble but has vanished since ATF change 1k ago. Presence of aftermarket T/C may be an issue... TCM may not have been “adapted” to properly manage the lockup clutch?
Or prop shaft bearings and U joints could be gone too?
Search ball joint inspection for proper MB procedure notice... this is more of an issue where DMV requires they be checked but local techs don’t understand how to assess them (they develop side play when van is lifted, and inside seal can be damaged by improper technique).
Front sway bar bushings and links are easy to access and diy; make sure links go back on correct sides (“elbow” points inwards)
Older sprinters can be quite economical to own if you can turn your own wrenches, or can work with someone willing to research them.
This: http://diysprinter.co.uk/reference/
is a terrific place to pull information.

-dave