Hi Jon
Ok I went back to the MB site again to compare exhaust systems
MWB units have the large diameter round muffler for added engine compression/
nothing behind that one after except the pipe.
The long wheel base units with overhang has an extra small oval unit as you showed in your photo.
The system has extensive pipe holders in place to prevent vibration, Now I know what I did to my old one and where to put the brackets, so now I know my old one was getting a very slight vibration at the 1500 to 1900 RPM range because I should have changed up or down a gear, my fault.
The only part I can not work out in your picture as to what is this unit in a galvanized shade do?
I looked on our autos and it does not show in your photo as such but its in a different position as a heat shield not the one above the floor, so I'm at a loss as to what this is> maybe its the angle of the photo thats thrown me off.
I can assure you there is no difference between the mechanical make up of Sprinters with the exceptions of options etc, The Australian Sprinters Cargo vans are manufactured in Brazil Argentina so slight variations may appear,
Yours are sent CKD from Stuttgart or the other factory one makes vans the other passenger units etc, so there is a local content , little things may be different, but overall they should be the same.
I'm not so sure about the US version of the DPF they look the same but if the main exhaust directly behind the DPF is not on the US Sprinters , then they are the older units for 2003-2004 This may explain the difference to ours and in main stream Europe, even Europe is not fully operating on Euro 5 specs.
Your Bin specs although the same as Euro specs for emissions are still varying in the lesser 45 states , I think if I'm right the Sprinter warranty for compliance emissions is still on the Bin 3 specs this is equal to Euro 3 and 4 specs as the class of vehicle it falls into there are still exemptions for the H/D trucks in the US for compliance, passenger vehicles in the smaller varieties are on a higher standard.
Our Sprinters are euro V to euro V1 so maybe the extra exhaust is part of the EPA requirements for compliance.
At worst if you have only the small oval one at the rear, were going to get a lot of complaints from vibration when the filter starts to clean itself.
Going on what the German site is saying MB don't want to know nothing then here we go again,
It is the same here no one knows or wants to talk about it where sales guys are concerned this applies to GM and Ford too as they are using older DPFs and they are not supposedly to be on 2006 plated models I can see trouble brewing down under on this one.
Andy said the chassis is not coated on the cab chassis units! they are down here, so that's a short cut on costs and a potential issue with rust in the salt zones latter on, I assume the vans are coated.
I was just thinking that plate could be part of the option for PTO ? any thoughts.
Richard
Updating on the filter inquisition
as to dealer options also the questionable DC disclaimer on 100.000 miles
Because we have threads jumping around on this question and it's too hard and late in the day to pull it all into one thread, I'll sticky it in here.
Australia has Euro V and V1 regulations for exhaust emissions ADR EPA based on UN Emission standards similar to European and Japanese and in part California's emission mandates, to keep it simple we are already in advance for 2009 requirements for EuroV1 requirements for both fuel and emission standards.
US regs are identical from the EPA side in the US, of which they are referred to as Bin standards this incorporates emission controls and fuel requirements along with provisions for both standard, and urea based particulate systems.
in the photos you will observe what I have stated before particulate schedules ranging up to 10 years cycles Euro is the same as to US cycles, only different it drops from 110 thousand miles to 100 thousand miles to 90 thousand miles! 'There are no official exemptions for this in fact as to the original standards for compliance it should remain at 110 thousand miles not in the ninety range. The only reason it has dropped is because of fuel standards this is where Federal regulators give refineries exemptions , this is also mentioned in the following format below.
I think you may have a early problem with the particulate filter if the main standard Muffler is not fitted on the Sprinters, I hope I am wrong in my analysis.as the US has Bin Standards for H/D Diesel engines under Bin 2 regs set for 2003-2004 for the M/D to H/D class of commercial rated vehicles. Bin 5 is not due to 2009 bin 6 2012
But there will be changes sooner as to yesterdays supreme court rulings over the EPA and Government interference to the US clean air act for pollution controls 'Green House Gas emissions"
re servicing of the DPF can only be done under strict safe work place conditions , ten years I'd say they would have to be disposed of as to there eventually being a use by date on the unit for multiple reasons.
Richard