Sprinter Engine Oil Change
The engine oil change. Pretty straight forward and just like any other oil change you will be removing the old oil and filter, and replacing it with fresh new oil and a nice clean filter. You’ll want to do it every 10k miles, and a minimum of once a year.
The recommend engine oil (as per the sprinter manual) has to meet or exceed MB 22.3, 228.5, 229.3, and/or 229.5. We’ve talked with two different Sprinter mechanics and they both recommend to use Mobile 1, 0W40 European car formula, which meets the MB229.5 requirement. It takes 9.5 quarts with filter replacement, not a drop less nor more. We purchased two 5 qt to make it easier and just left out half a quart.
You’ll want a good quality filter like a Mann filter. Our oil pan bolt was striped so we had to replace it. Also there is a copper crush washer that is only supposed to be used one which should be replaced every time you perform an oil change.
Locate the Engine oil fill cap on top of the engine and loosen it or remove it. Then looking at the bottom of the engine from the floor locate the 13mm drain bolt on the oil pan. With your drain pan under the bolt, use a 13mm wrench or socket and remove the drain bolt. Oil will now start draining from the engine into your oil pan or bucket. It will be best to do this while the engine is cold or warm. Hot oil may or will burn your hand, so be careful. After the oil drained from the engine oil pan, you will want to go back to the top of the engine and locate the Oil Filter Housing. Using an Oil filter socket or they have adjustable with an assortment of sizes at the auto parts, remove the oil filter housing where you will find the dirty filter. It will slide out. Then you will find 3 O-rings, pry them off with a pick or a small screwdriver being careful not to damage the O-ring seats. Replace the 3 O-rings with the new rings and now you are ready to slide the new filter into place. Ensure when screwing on the oil filter housing not to cross thread the housing. Torque it down to 20ft-lbs. Now drop back down to the floor where you will put the new crush washer and the drain bolt back on the oil pan. Tighten it up with the 13mm wrench and you are ready to fill her up. Be sure to only add the recommended amount of oil. In my case a 2004-2006 T1N it will be 9.5qts.
After you added the 9.5qts check for any leaks, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes while checking for leaks. Confirming there are no leaks shut off the engine let it stand for a few minutes then check the oil level. Allowing it to sit for a few minutes after running will let all the oil in the engine run down to the pan to give you the most accurate reading.
Be sure to properly dispose of the used oil. I like to pour the old oil back into the containers the new oil came in then take it down to the local auto parts top dispose of it there.
Now you are good for 10k miles or 1 year!
This was the procedure I did on our 2005 T1n 5 cyl 2.7L om647
