2018 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER check engine

Overview of the engine compartment
Example: engine
:
Coolant expansion tank cap (Ypage 223)
;DEF filler neck cap (Ypage 128)
=Engine oil filler neck cap (Ypage 221)
?Brake fluid expansion tank cap
(Ypage 224)
AWasher fluid reservoir cap (Ypage 225)
Regularly check the fluid level and the assembly
for leaks. If you detect fluid loss, e.g. oil flecks on
the vehicle parking space, consult a qualified
specialist workshop immediately.
Engine oil
General notes
!Engine oil gets dirty in the course of opera-
tion and its quality and volume are gradually
diminished. Regularly check the oil level, and
top up or have it replaced as needed.
Observe the information on engine oils and oil
consumption in the "Technical data" section
(
Ypage 282).
You can check the oil level in the engine:
Ron the display of the on-board computer
Rwith the oil dipstick
Checking the oil level shown in the dis-
play
If at extremely low temperatures no engine oil
level is displayed after five minutes, repeat the
engine oil level check after another five minutes.
If an oil level reading is still not displayed, check
the engine oil level with the dipstick
(
Ypage 222). Have the engine oil level checked
at a qualified specialist workshop. Only check the oil level when the engine is at
normal operating temperature.
XPark the vehicle on a level surface.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait 5 minutes.
XTurn the key to position
2in the ignition lock.
The display is activated.
XVehicles without steering wheel buttons:
press the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster (
Ypage 34) repeatedly until the dis-
play shows the 1symbol.
The --:--
display message appears in the
display while the engine oil level measure-
ment is running.
XVehicles with steering wheel buttons:
press the Ëservice button on the instrument
cluster (
Ypage 34).
The 4 Engine oil level Measuring
inprogressdisplay message appears in the
display while the engine oil level measure-
ment is in progress.
Display message for vehicles without steer-
ing-wheel buttons: the display may show the
following messages after the engine oil level
measurement.
1Action
OKXDo not add oil.
– 1.0 qtsXAdd the amount of oil
shown (Ypage 223).
XCheck the engine oil level
again after a few minutes.– 1.5 qts
– 2.0 qts
HIThe oil level is too high.
XHave excess oil removed.
Measurement units in the display:
RqtsUSA only
RltrCanada only
Display message for vehicles with steering- wheel buttons: the display may show the fol-
lowing messages after the engine oil level meas-
urement.
1Action
Engineoillevel OKXDo not add oil.
Engine compartment221
Maintenance and care
Z

EngineoilAdd1.0 quart
XAdd the amount of oil
shown (Ypage 223).
XCheck the engine oil level
again after a few minutes.
EngineoilAdd1.5quarts
EngineoilAdd2.0quarts
EngineoillevelReduceoillevel
The oil level is too high.
XHave excess oil removed.
Eng. oillev. Turnignitionon forlevel
XTurn the key to position2in
the ignition lock.
Observewait.period
XIf the engine is at normal
operating temperature,
repeat the engine oil meas-
urement after about five
minutes.
XRepeat the engine oil
measurement after about
30 minutes if the engine is
not at normal operating
temperature.
Engineoillevel Notwhen eng.running
XSwitch off the engine when it is at normal operating
temperature and wait
approximately 5 minutes
before measuring the
engine oil level.
Measurement units in the display:
RqtsUSA only
RltrCanada only
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick
Example: 4-cylinder diesel engine
Example: 6-cylinder diesel engine
For vehicles with a red oil dipstick, only check
the oil level when the engine is at normal oper-
ating temperature:
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XSwitch off the engine.
XWait for five minutes.
For vehicles with a yellow oil dipstick, only check
the oil level when the engine is cold.
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPull out oil dipstick :.
XWipe oil dipstick:using a lint-free cloth.
222Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

XInsert oil dipstick:back into the guide tube
as far as it will go and remove it again.
If the level is between minimum mark =and
maximum mark ;, the oil level is correct.
XIf the oil level has dropped to or below mini-
mum mark=, open cap ?and add engine oil
(
Ypage 223).
The difference in quantity between marks ;
and =is approximately 2 qt (2 l).
XInsert the oil dipstick into the guide tube as far
as it will go.
XClose the hood (Ypage 220).
OM651 4-cylinder diesel engine:
At outside temperatures between 32 ‡ (–0 †)
and 86 ‡ (30 †), the oil level can be checked
when the engine is cold.
Measuring the engine oil when the engine is cold
is less precise than measuring when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
When the appropriate warning is shown in the
display
XAdd engine oil (Ypage 223)
or
XHave engine oil siphoned off.
Add engine oil
GWARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil is not spilled next to
the filler neck. Let the engine cool down and
thoroughly clean the engine oil off the com-
ponents before starting the engine.
!The alternator is located below the engine
oil filler neck. If engine oil spills onto the alter-
nator, there is a danger of alternator damage.
Be very careful when adding engine oil.
HEnvironmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful to
the environment.
!Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the engine
or to the catalytic converter. Have excess
engine oil siphoned off.
!Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XUnscrew and remove cap ?.
XAdd engine oil.
XReplace cap?on the filler neck and tighten.
When doing so, make sure that the cap
engages correctly.
XCheck the oil level with the oil dipstick
(Ypage 222) or on the display (Ypage 221).
XClose the hood.
Coolant
GWARNING
The engine cooling system is pressurized, par-
ticularly when the engine is warm. When
opening the cap, you could be scalded by hot
coolant spraying out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before opening the
cap. Wear eye and hand protection when
opening the cap. Open the cap slowly half a
turn to allow pressure to escape.
Only check the coolant level and/or fill the cool-
ant if the vehicle is on a level surface and the
engine has cooled down. The coolant tempera-
ture must be below 122 ‡ (50 †).
!Check the engine cooling and heating sys-
tem regularly for leaks.
If a large quantity of coolant is lost, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
GWARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add anti-
freeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not spilled
next to the filler neck. Thoroughly clean the
antifreeze from components before starting
the engine.
!Take care not to spill any coolant on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
Engine compartment223
Maintenance and care
Z

Example: cap and coolant expansion tank
Checking the coolant level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XSlowly turn cap:half a turn counter-clock-
wise to allow excess pressure to escape.
XTurn cap :further and remove it.
XCheck the coolant level.
If the coolant reaches the maximum mark on
coolant expansion tank ;, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank ;.
Adding coolant
XIf the coolant drops under the minimum mark
on coolant expansion tank ;, add coolant to
the maximum mark.
Observe the information on coolant mixture
ratio and water quality in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 285). To prevent damage to
the engine cooling system, use only approved
corrosion inhibitor and antifreeze that com-
plies with the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products.
XReplace cap :and turn it clockwise to
tighten.
XStart the engine.
XAfter approximately five minutes, switch off
the engine again and allow it to cool down.
XCheck the coolant level again and add coolant
if necessa ry.
XClose the hood.
Brake fluid
GWARNING
Service products may be poisonous and haz-
ardous to health. There is a risk of injury.
Comply with instructions on the use, storage
and disposal of service products on the labels
of the respective original containers. Always
store service products sealed in their original
containers. Always keep service products out
of the reach of children.
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Also observe
the safety notes in the "Service products and
capacities" section (
Ypage 278).
GWARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
from the air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals.
!Brake fluid corrodes paint, plastic and rub-
ber. If paint, plastic or rubber has come into
contact with brake fluid, rinse with water
immediately.
Have the brake fluid renewed every two years at
a qualified specialist workshop. Observe the
information on brake fluid in the "Technical
data" section (
Ypage 284).
Check the brake fluid level regularly, e.g. weekly
or when refueling.
224Engine compartment
Maintenance and care

Checking the brake fluid level
XStop your vehicle as far away from traffic as
possible on level ground.
XSwitch off the engine.
XSecure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling
away.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XCheck the brake fluid level.
The brake fluid level is correct if the level is
between the MIN mark and MAX mark on
brake fluid reservoir:.
XClose the hood.
!If the brake fluid level in the brake fluid res-
ervoir has fallen to the MIN mark or below,
check the brake system immediately for
leaks. Also check the thickness of the brake
linings. Visit a qualified specialist workshop
immediately.
Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct
the malfunction.
Washer fluid
GWARNING
Windshield washer concentrate could ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine compo-
nents or the exhaust system. There is a risk of
fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer con-
centrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
!Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid could dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
Example: washer fluid reservoir
Add windshield washer concentrate to the
washer fluid all year round. Observe the infor-
mation on washer fluid in the "Technical data"
section (
Ypage 286).
Adding washer fluid
XMix the washer fluid to the appropriate mixing ratio in a container beforehand.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPull cap :on the washer fluid reservoir
upwards at the tab.
XAdd the premixed washer fluid.
XPress cap :onto the filler neck until it
engages audibly.
XClose the hood.
Fuel system
Draining the fuel filter
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. Improper handling of
fuel creates a risk of fire and explosion.
Avoid fire, open flames, smoking and creating
sparks under all circumstances. Switch off the
ignition and auxiliary heating before carrying
out work to the fuel system. Always wear pro-
tective gloves.
HEnvironmental note
Dispose of the water-fuel mixture in an envi-
ronmentally responsible manner.
!When the :indicator lamp lights up,
drain the fuel filter with water separator
immediately. Otherwise, the engine may be
damaged.
Engine compartment225
Maintenance and care
Z

If the: indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes on, drain the fuel filter with the
water separator immediately.
iWe recommend that you have this mainte-
nance work carried out at a qualified special-
ist workshop.
XPark the vehicle safely and secure it from roll-
ing away.
XSwitch off the auxiliary heating system .
XSwitch off the engine.
XOpen the hood (Ypage 219).
XPlace a suitable receptacle under drain
hose :.
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XOpen drain plug ;immediately until the
water/fuel mixture flows out of drain hose :.
XScrew in drain plug;as soon as approx-
imately 0.2 qt (0.2 l)of the water/fuel mixture
has been collected.
The electrical fuel pump automatically halts
the flow of the water/fuel mixture after
30 seconds.
XAfter draining, turn the key back to position 0
in the ignition lock.
XDispose of the collected water/fuel mixture
in an environmentally responsible manner,
e.g. at a qualified specialist workshop.
XCheck drain plug ;. The drain plug must be
closed.
When the engine is running and drain hose ;
is open, fuel is lost through drain hose :.
XClose the hood (Ypage 220).
If the : indicator lamp does not go out after
draining:
XDrain the fuel filter again.
XIf the : indicator lamp does not go out
after draining for the second time, have the
cause checked immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Vehicle interior
Air filter for the rear-compartment air
conditioning
!
Regularly check the air filters for visible dirt.
Clean or replace a dirty filter mat. The dirt may
otherwise lead to damage to the air-condi-
tioning system.
Filter magazine, located on the roof in the rear
compartment
An increased amount of sand or dust may collect in the air filter of the rear-compartment air con-
ditioning when you drive on dusty or sandy
roads.
XTo remove the filter mat: carefully pry
cover :out of recesses ;and remove.
XRemove the filter mat from the air duct.
XTo clean the filter mat: wash the dirty filter
mat with clear water.
XLeave the filter mat to dry.
iThe filter mat must not be cleaned or dried in
a machine.
XTo install the filter mat: insert the filter mat
into the air duct.
XReplace and engage cover :.
Maintenance
General notes
HEnvironmental note
Observe measures to protect the environ-
ment when working on the vehicle. You must
observe the legal requirements when dispos-
ing of service products, e.g. engine oil. This
also includes all components, e.g. filters,
which have come into contact with service
products. Any qualified specialist workshop
can provide information about this.
Dispose of empty containers, cleaning cloths
and care products in an environmentally
responsible manner. Comply with the instruc-
tions for use of the care products.
226Maintenance
Maintenance and care

dangers posed by batteries and
acid.
When handling batteries, observe
the safety precautions and special
protective measures contained in
this Operator's Manual.
HEnvironmental note
Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separatelyand recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner. Take discharged
batteries to a qualified spe-
cialist workshop or a special
collection point for used bat-
teries.
Observe the following notes:
RRecharge the battery more frequently, if you:
-predominantly drive short distances
-predominantly drive at low outside temper-
atures
-park the vehicle for longer than
three weeks.
In order for the batteries to achieve their max- imum possible service life, they must always
be sufficiently charged.
RWhen you park the vehicle, remove the key if
you do not require any electrical consumers.
The vehicle will then use very little energy,
thus conserving battery power.
RWhen replacing a battery, only use batteries
that are recommended for use in Sprinter
vehicles.
RHave the battery removed at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
RIf you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
three weeks:
-consult a qualified specialist workshop or
-switch off the power supply using the bat-
tery main switch (Ypage 118) or
-disconnect the batteries (Ypage 230). Otherwise, you need to check the battery's
condition of charge every three weeks, since
standby power consumption can drain the
battery. If the battery voltage is lower than
12.2 V, the battery must be charged. Other-
wise, the battery may be damaged by exhaus-
tive discharging.
Be sure to observe the notes on charging the
batteries (
Ypage 233).
Installation locations
Your vehicle may be equipped with three bat-
teries, depending on the equipment version:
RStarter battery in the battery case in the left
footwell
RAdditional battery in the engine compartment
RAuxiliary battery under the left-hand front
seat
Have the auxiliary battery removed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Installing/removing the floor cover-
ing (starter battery)
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
Battery229
Maintenance and care
Z

Installing and removing the additional
battery (engine compartment)
Removing the additional battery
XDisconnect th ebattery (Ypage 232).
XLoosen th ebolt sholding th eretainer that pre -
vents th ebattery from moving around.
XRemove th ebattery holder and tak eout th e
battery.
Installing the additional battery
XInser tth ebattery int oth ebattery case.
XInser tth ebattery holder.
XTighte nth ebolt sholding th eretainer that
prevents th ebattery in th eengin ecompart-
men tfrom moving around.
XConnect th ebattery (Ypage 232).
Charging
GWARNIN G
A discharged battery can freez eat tempera-
tures belo wfreezing point. When jump-start -
ing th evehicl eor charging th ebattery, gase s
can escape from th ebattery. Ther eis aris kof
an explosion .
Allow th efrozen battery to thaw out before
charging it or jump-starting .
If th eindicator/warning lamp sdo no tligh tup in
th einstrumen tcluste rwhen temperatures are
low, it is probably because th edischarged bat -
tery has frozen .Should this be th ecase, do no t
jump-start th evehicl eor charge th ebattery. The
servic elife of athawed battery may be shorter.
Start-up behavior may deteriorate, in particular
at low temperatures .Hav eth ethawed battery
checke dat aqualified specialist workshop.
GWARNIN G
During charging and jump-starting ,explosive
gase scan escape from th ebattery. Ther eis a
ris kof an explosion .
Particularly avoi dfire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Ensur ethere is sufficien t
ventilation while charging and jump-starting .
Do no tlean ove r abattery.
GWARNIN G
Battery acid is caustic. Ther eis aris kof injury.
Avoid contact wit hskin, eyes or clothing .Do
no tinhale any battery gases. Do no tlean ove r
th ebattery. Kee pchildren away from batter-
ies. Wash away battery acid immediately wit h
plenty of clean water and seek medical atten -
tion .
!Only charge th einstalled battery wit h abat-
tery charge rthat has been tested and
approve dby th edistributo rnamed on th e
inside of th efron tcover .This device allows
th ebattery to be charge dwhen it is installed
in th evehicle. The vehicle's electronics may
otherwise be damaged.
A battery charge runit specially adapted for
Mercedes-Ben zvehicles and tested and
approve dby Mercedes-Ben zis available as an
accessory. Only this device permit sth echarging
of th ebattery in it sinstalled position .Only
charge th einstalled battery wit h abattery
charge rthat has been tested and approve dby
Mercedes-Benz, usin gth ejump-start connec -
tion poin tin th eengin ecompartment. Contac t
an authorize dMercedes-Ben zCente rfor infor-
mation and availability. Read th eoperating
instruction sfor your charge rbefore charging
th ebattery.
The additional battery canno tbe charge dfrom
th eju

mp-starting connection point.
Recharge th ebattery mor efrequentl yif you use
th evehicl emainly for short trips and/o rdriv eat
low outside temperatures .
XCharge thebattery. Observ eth enote sin th e
operating instruction sfor your battery
charger.
XIf necessary, instal lth ebattery. Observ eth e
note son reconnecting th ebattery.
iIfabattery is no tinstalled and no tin service,
you should charge it every three months. This
will counter self-dischargin gand preven tbat -
tery damage.
Care
!
Dirt ybattery clamps and battery surfaces
caus eleak currents whic hlead to th ebatter-
ies discharging.
Battery233
Maintenance and care
Z