James Cook Forum

Mercedes Benz tells me i need to change:
-Eberspacher D5W Hydronic motor heater complete unit
-ABS Return Pump

Both of these parts are very very expensive new. And neither part actually stops the vehicle from moving forward. So may not be worth changing.

However, there must be a source for good QUALITY used parts out there??? Send me a link if possible...

Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,

Just some thought from me. My view with Sprinter dealers ability to properly service the vehicle here in the US is less than stellar. I simply don't trust them and very suspicious of their approach to repair. They all tend too fast to replace the part when in fact the diagnose is wrong most of the time. I have no experience with MB dealers in Europe. While I perform all the service work myself but not everyone can. From following posts on various Sprinter forums it seems most owners are better off finding a good independent auto repair shop that specialize in Sprinter, or diesel vans. Service and parts are the biggest money maker for all dealers so you can fill in the rest...

On the Eberspacher Hydronic engine coolant heater, I doulbted that you need to replace the complete unit. You ought to be able to service it, by cleaning, or prepair it. The most common failure of this heater is not the heater itself, but the coolant pump. The pump is made by Bosch and is not that expensive if you buy from 3rd party parts suppliers instead of from dealers. A lot of the Sprinter parts can be purchased from these vendors and you can find the one made by the same OEMs that supply to MB. If you cannot service the Hydronic heater yourself, I recommend finding a outfit that specialize in servicing Eberspacher products. Most dealers' service technician has no clue with them so they just want to replace the whole unit and charge you for it.

I just did a quick search of this pump without carefully checking this is indeed the right one, but the correct one is basically this type of pump, for $125 USD. Dealer will charge you 3 times or more.


http://www.idparts.com/auxiliary-water- ... -3022.html

Here in the US shops that specialized in Eberspacher service. There ought to be similar shops in your country.
http://www.lubricationspecialist.com/

I have no experience with the ABS return pump. Still I recommend seeking an independent repair shop that are very experience with Sprinters.

Hi Chris,

Some more thoughts. Are you still in Mongolia or nearby area that is frigid at this time of the year? What problem are you having leading to the MB dealer advice you need to replace the Hydronic heater?

The Hydronic engine heater is design to help the diesel engine warm up until the engine can generate enough heat for optimum diesel combustion. In very cold climate like Alaska and Mongolia, if you are not familiar, it typically requires one to block off some area of the front grill to help the engine from getting too cold while driving.

I think your best source of help is Sprinter Source T1N forum - not the Airstream Westfalia sub forum.

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=106

Great responses Vince. I fully agree with you, particularly on the comment that MB prefer to replace parts rather than actually diagnose and fix the problem.

Thats whi I figure ill do the work myself... just need to find access to cheap parts.

I figure the Eberspacher has never been used as the camper is generally a summer car. The fact the Eberspacher never worked for us never gave us any worry...even to -11 degC. MB mongolia pulled the unit to determine the flame sensor is 'not working'and in their effort to access that sensor found 2 bolts on the housing ceized so THEY CUT THE HEADS OFF, and still the housing cant be separated to access the sensor. In a fit I told them to leave it alone and put it back!

Anyway it would be nice to get it working but I dont care if it doesn't matter.

I also dont believe the ABS pump is not working. Because on the now rare occasion that the ABS dash light is not lit the brakes give that familiar shutter in loose surfaces.. I think we have a case of mud and gunk in a wheel sensor making the dash light come on.

.

Sorry I lost the last bit of my post.

Anyway the request is to find a source of parts here in France or Germany - there must be junk yards or recycle depots around?

As a Canadian in France I'm not yet familiar with the marketplace.

Thanks
Chris