10 starts. Traveling through Ottawa

FINNDIAN

Member
Any suggestions? Hoping to be 1000 km from Ottawa by Monday morning.
2018 sprinter 4x4 9700km 1/2 tank def.
No luck with any service departments yet

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autostaretx

Erratic Member
Add a gallon (4 liters) more DEF

(did any of the "service departments" provide a scanner readout of codes?)

--dick
 

FINNDIAN

Member
Topped up def. Drove 400 km. Started four times. Still at 10 starts. No check engine light at any time.

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FINNDIAN

Member
Drive a little more....9 starts...a little more...16 starts....a little more... no messages

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autostaretx

Erratic Member
It finally noticed the refill.... :thumbup:

--dick
p.s. your level sensor may be faulty ... you might get it looked at if it recurs
 

FINNDIAN

Member
It finally noticed the refill.... [emoji106]

--dick
p.s. your level sensor may be faulty ... you might get it looked at if it recurs
Are there 2 sensors? Because it was still showing 1/2?
I was thinking more that it was -26c when we hit the highway this morning and def was frozen??

Adding 2.5gal of warm def may have got things moving?

I purchased a cold front today and installed it also to give it a chance warming up.
I also ran the diesel coolant heater for a couple hours while driving. It seems to run indefinitely when it's cold out.

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autostaretx

Erratic Member
From a 2015 owner's manual: (page 148, in the "Refueling" section)
i If you switch off the engine at a low outside temperature and add DEF, restart the engine after refueling.
If you leave the vehicle parked without restarting the engine and the DEF freezes in the DEF tank, the onboard computer will only be able to register the new fill level after a defrosting period of up to 60 minutes. During this time the engine may only be operated in neutral.
Sound familiar?
Evidently the engine provides heat for the DEF.

Regarding levels (page 25):
MB said:
If the DEF level drops below 1.5 US gal (5.5 l), the first warning message is issued and a warning tone sounds. After the message appears for the first time, and under normal driving conditions, the remaining DEF supply will last for approximately 1000 miles (1600 km).
If a reserve mark of 0.8 US gal (3.0 l) is reached, a second warning message is issued and a warning tone sequence sounds. After the first message, the DEF supply will last for approximately 1200 miles (1900 km). Subsequently, you will only be able to start the engine a further 16 times.
You should immediately add 2.0 US gal (7.6 l) of DEF (Y page 147) or have the DEF supply reservoir filled at a qualified specialist workshop.
When the number of remaining engine starts is 0 and the engine is restarted, the engine management prevents the vehicle from being driven at a speed exceeding 5 mph (8 km/h).
If the;Check Engine indicator lamp lights up, the exhaust gas aftertreatment is faulty or an emission-related malfunction has occurred (Y page 211). You will then only be able to drive a maximum 50 mi (80 km) before the engine management restricts the number of starts remaining.
Page 321:
Low ambient temperatures
DEF freezes at a temperature of approximately 12 F (-11 C).
The vehicle is equipped with a DEF preheating system at the factory.
Winter operation is therefore also guaranteed at temperatures under 12 F (-11 C).
Where to get owner's (and operation) manuals: http://www.mbvans.com/sprinter/owners-resources/owner-manuals

--dick
 
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FINNDIAN

Member
I've never had my tank much lower than about half. It does burn about 1 gallon per 2000km though so far.

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autostaretx

Erratic Member
Oh, maybe i should continue the quotes on pg 321? Happy to oblige: :thumbup:
DEF consumption
For vehicles with a 4-cylinder, in-line engine (OM 651), the DEF consumption of the vehicle is:
* as a Cargo Van/Passenger Van, approx. 2322 MPG (0.2 l/100 km)
*as a Cab Chassis, approx. 1720 MPG (0.35 l/100 km)

For vehicles with a 6-cylinder, in-line engine (OM 642), the DEF consumption of the vehicle is:
* as a Cargo Van/Passenger Van, approx. 2322 MPG (0.10 l/100 km)
* as a Cab Chassis approx. 1720 MPG (0.14 l/100 km)

In each case, the stated consumption figure is a mean value between urban and extra-urban driving cycles. The consumption figure does not refer to a specific vehicle, but is provided for the purposes of comparison between different vehicle types.

DEF consumption, like fuel consumption, is very dependent on the driving style and the operating conditions. This means that the real consumption figures during operation of your vehicle may deviate from those stated.
1 gallon (US) per 2000km is about 1200 MPG ...
Imperial gallons may differ by 20% (or 25%, depending upon direction of calculation)

--dick
 

FINNDIAN

Member
Still stuck in Ottawa. Check engine light came on today and stayed on. No running issues no message anymore. Will be at the dealer when they open in the AM to hopefully see what's up.

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FINNDIAN

Member
F.Y.I.
Star motors of Ottawa fit me in quickly Monday morning.
Codes for
Low quality def
Low def level
Cleared codes, couldn't repeat.
Suspect it was caused by the cold.

Made it about an hour north headed home and check engine came on again. Competed the 12 hour trip home and checked codes.
P026a looks like a poor performing inter cooler.
Possibly due to the winter front I purchased from star and installed?
2 days now and it hasn't come back. I've only done short drives though.
We'll see what comes back. I'm 5 hours from the nearest dealer.

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asimba2

ourkaravan.com
Possibly due to the winter front I purchased from star and installed?
It's likely. I think Aluminess actually changed their aftermarket bumper design as several people with those were getting the low intercooler efficiency warning too. (From the additional coverage of the bumper.)
 

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