2008 Sprinter Torque Converter, and the Dealer trap.

[Briance]

First post, forgive me if this has been covered.

My friend and I are getting into Camper Vans.

He bought a 2008 2500 Dodge Sprinter, 3.0 V6 Diesel-5 Speed Auto, 2WD.

Upon driving it home he felt a shutter at around 70-75 and a bit of RPM flutter. We have since heard this is a torque converter issue.
He took it to the local Dodge dealership and they want to replace transmission, torque converter and trans cooler. This I know is a true sign of laziness and price gouging, as this is unneeded.

Can anyone recommend a shop on the west coast that replaces transmissions/torque con and does the hot flush on cooler?

He isn't looking to spend as much money as the dealer wants to steal from him. He is also looking for a warranty. I know about Silver Star, but would also like some full service options somewhere near Central California.

Thank you kindly all!

By the way, we are MOPAR guys that get alot from our Classic Mopar forums. We love to crowd source advice from those on our same path. Thank you for your service.

Mike

 

[Herbie]

Despite the Dodge badging on the Sprinter, you may get fewer eyes in the Domestic sub-forum than you might in the Camper Vans sub-forum.

 

[Christian P.]

Despite the Dodge badging on the Sprinter, you may get fewer eyes in the Domestic sub-forum than you might in the Camper Vans sub-forum.

Good point - I moved it

 

[Christian P.]

How many miles on the van?

I don't know anything about the Sprinter transmission but I know a little bit about Eurovan transmission...and they are quite finicky. I remember something about having to replace both together. The dealer may not be wrong on that one if they used the same German engineer.

 

[Briance]

110,000 miles

How many miles on the van?

I don't know anything about the Sprinter transmission but I know a little bit about Eurovan transmission...and they are quite finicky. I remember something about having to replace both together. The dealer may not be wrong on that one if they used the same German engineer.

110,000 miles.

 

[Briance]

Good point - I moved it

Thanks for the move.

 

[marret]

I don't have an answer, but a great forum for Sprinter vans is Sprinter Source: Sprinter Source Forums

 

[Stevemo]

I would start with reading the codes with a professional reader. I have the same engine & transmission in my Jeep Grand Cherokee and it has reasonable diagnostics onboard. You should also consider replacing the fluid with the correct fluid specified in the manual and get it to the correct level. I needed to buy a dipstick and use Torque to do this. Speed sensor issues can be a bad conductor plate in the transmission which is easy to change...definitely take the time to diagnose this instead of replacing everything.

 

[luthj]

If the fluid, including torque converter, have not been changed with the proper fluid, start there. The fluid needs a complete change every 50k max.

The next step is checking the tcm for codes.

If none are present a TC replacement and/or possibly new TC clutch damper valve.