Thanks TurboJohn. Makes sense to me. I just purchased an 06 Sprinter with 26K miles. It is due for an oil change. I have used Valvoline Synpower MST in the past on an 08 model. Based on your post and many others - I may go with Mobil 1 0W-40. Is there a difference between this and Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel 0W-40? Do you recommend a specific brand of oil filter and fuel filter?
Wow nice find man..! Was it an RV? I do happen to use 0W-40 Mobil 1 to some known as a designer oil. Yes you do want to use the turbo diesel oil if branded that way. I use the mann or hengst filter....but I am sure there are other good filters as well. By the way I was at a "Tires Plus" store not to long ago and they looked up in their computer what their computer recommended for the 04-06 Sprinter, and they stay up to date: Mobil 1 0W-40 Diesel.
There are only a few TRUE synthetics if you decide to go that route and this is ever evolving but Amsoil is another one along with I think one of the Penzoils and Schaeffer oil. The Schaeffer is a good oil but always late to the party with advances especially over the 0 W issue. I know they buy the best oil stock money will buy and their grease is the best in the world in my opinion.
Probably the most important thing for your engine is to keep the oil clean. The only way I have been able to do that is by deleting the EGR thru the ECU. My oil looks like a gas engine or maybe even cleaner after 2000 miles.....I have never seen a Diesel with this clean look on the dipstick after several thousand miles........when I first saw this I thought I was seeing things.
I suppose you could change the oil more often but for me the EGR delete is like some magic wand trick.
Well I hope you enjoy your T1N like I do!!
. Its a little more noisy but relatively easy to work on and gets great mileage....I get around 28 out on the highway and always 21 to 23 in town. I have about 82k on mine not the LOW LOW mileage of yours...Must have been parked most of the time considering that's only about 2500 miles a year of so...