wolfrgangs mercedes page has 2007 manual in pdf file. diesel partivulate filter
this is listed under special maintenance requirements. i interpret this
to mean owner pays. the price quoted from diesel rep. on yahoo sprinter
groups page was 1560.00 dollars US. this is why i think its necessary up front
to find out who pays.
gerry
Hi Gerry
I guess it's the way I'm reading your post as you keep on saying who pays for the filter.
I have placed information pertaining to this
so to refresh in simple English with out any other add-ons
For a particulate filter to have EPA certification in the US it must met a standard minimum.
And that was one hundred thousand miles.
The EPA also wants to ensure the unit qualifies for a emissions warranty period , so when Dodge does your maintenance especially before the end of warranty it has the obligation under the EPA regulations to pre check that unit unit is indeed working.
if not it is replaced under the 2004 warranty emissions section free of charge to you.
It has also been set up so it can not be interfered too and is asking manufactures to comply, via a computer assist , Mercedes did well before the EPA asked for this, as part of the standards of warranty for particulate filters in the US. 2004.
you have three mileage ratings for checking on as a pre request for inspection this applied on to the larger rigs, but under US laws the sprinter falls into this category,because of the class of vehicle it is, it's not specific in the EPA standards, it's not mentioned in detail in fact they lifted this from a 1998 Euro 3 standard that also apples to fuel watch quality control that is a voluntary agreement between manufactures , only this moth 2007 has it been upgraded to Euro VI fuel quality and emission standards for 2012 both in Europe and the USA of which yours are refereed to as Bin standards.
Warranties vary in different countries, whereas have 100 thousand miles, we have three hundred thousand Kilometers before a final pre warranty particulate check applies, upon expiry of warranty. in Australia's case three years where I think your on two years and one hundred thousand miles.
If in the event the filter malfunctions on its precleaning system via the oxygen sensors there will be a computer assist warning before hand.
I wouldn't worry about it as the filter can only fail with major blockage of soot contamination in that event you would most likely have seized the motor beforehand, as this can only be caused by defective fuels.
I did ask Mercedes in theory who is the one to pay for a filter in the event of a system failure?
Quote if the said particulate filter failed and this would also apply to Dodge' as well,providing the Sprinter had undergone the maintenance schedules as stated in the manuals, then both Dodge and Mercedes would replace the filters under a no fault blame situation, in other words Dodge and Mercedes would honor any damage done , if on the other hand there was misses in not doing your scheduled maintenance! The Management would either repair or replace defective units, on a case by case basis, this means if it was found that the wrong fuels and oils were used they would dishonor the warranty, and they legally can do this as to the owner being in breach of the warranty protocol even if you were unaware of a faulty fuel this would become a civil case to be heard in a local court of jurisdiction to determine which of the three parties were at fault.
Again how long will it last for? The answer is it should last as long as the Sprinter lasts , however No manufacture is under an obligation to give a lifetime warranty therefore in effect the warranty expires at the end of your warranty period.
I guess you would have to weigh up where you live , the type of quality ULSD Diesel can be obtained and in fairness trust the supply of fuel Shell is the only one I could possibly recommend in the states at the moment as to knowing a few things about the company as opposed to other refineries,
Access to mechanics on V6 is not a problem both Mercedes and Chrysler can service these engines at a pinch, if your outside of your nearest recommended service center the V6 is a common engine , but the same principles of mechanics apply.
All you have to do is maintain the System, and the most important section is on the head, quality fuel will be the key to longevity for the Piezoelectric injectors, that will spray the correct pattern-and fuel rate on to the valves,controlled via the high pressure pump that controls both the fuel distributor and the fuel cooler which will keep the correct temps to order up via a computer management system to keep your engine running at peak performance, of course the same applies to waste carbon particle's the senors again have an engine assist computer system to recycle and burn out the excess particles up to 95% etc.
I know your trying to work out the economics between Diesel and Gas, which is more than fair enough you have asked three times about the Particulate filter, of which you now have enough information to keep you busy for a week or two
What I'm asking you to do is think in the long term of where Gas is heading, [A] your about to have a Ron rating change lower not higher, there is a possibility of a fuel tax on gas I'm not joking its on the cards, there are also discussion in place as to adding a tax for fuel inefficient vehicles of up to 4 thousand dollars.
In conclusion the service intervals are similar to both Diesel and Gas ,but thats where the common dominator stops. Diesel is totally different to gas and in the long run the most cost effective in long term maintenance fuel economy and load to weight ratios versus gas to Diesel.it also has a higher resale value, especially if the fuel jumps in price again.
Just let us know what you end up with, I personally prefer Diesel and freely admit it, but I'm not biased toward gas except knowing it has a use by date in world economics.
Happy hunting for your new set of wheels.
Richard
That was enough for my little inquisitive mind, to look at the three destinations for Sprinters.