adventureinabackpack.com/troubleshooting-check-engine-light-sprinter
Code Scanner: http://amzn.to/2Hcr350
We deal with breakdowns, sure….and we’re no mechanics, but we are a bit ahead of the curve because of our upbringing. Knowing how to deal with a breakdown on a basic level is absolutely necessary for living on the road in a van.
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Nate and Steph are a couple of crazy adventurers who decided that life was too short to spend their time and money accumulating “stuff.” So, they set out in an RV in January 2016 to travel North America and replace their stuff with experiences. In March 2017, they sold their RV and bought a Sprinter Van, which they built out into a campervan to continue their travels and adventures in #vanlife style.
Both originally from the small town of Blanchard, Oklahoma, Nate and Steph enjoy learning about new cultures and experiencing different ways of life across the world. They like to meet new people from all walks of life and just sit and have a beer with whoever shows up. It’s all about spontaneity in this life!
They travel with their two pups, Pyros and Sparta, who have become great travelers and adventure pups as well.
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This is the code scanner we use and were talking about for those curious: http://amzn.to/2Hcr350
Nate & Steph, I'm quite impressed by your mechanical-fixing abilities. Does your 07 Sprinter van have the DEF fluid? And have you had problems with the DPF filter? My understanding is the 04–06 Sprinter (T1N) did not have either DEF fluid and DPF filter and is easier to do DIY maintenance. Do you know which years had less problems?
you can prolly hook up the lic plate hot wire to a relay and a resistor of the same value as a bulb or even the bulb itself and have the relay turn on the led for the lic plate… no eng lite and you will still have the led.. 15.00 in parts and a lil free time maybe a hour if ur bored.
Are all these sprinters with massive issues Mercedes?
Nate & Steph thank for the great video! A quick question – I'm in the process of checking a 2008 Dodge Sprinter. However, the owner says "Needs new exhaust and has an issue with the ignition system that sometimes limits van to 30mph and causes the check engine light." Have you seen a similar issue with your van or other sprinter owners? I've noticed that many people trying to sell their sprinters in Craiglist for lower prices have this issue. Is this a common problem that it's worth buying to fixe it later? Thanks!
How did you come to the conclusion that a van of this age and mileage was mechanically sound enough to invest your time and money in? Were there certain engine components that you were careful to check before you purchased it?
I've been peppering your videos with comments and questions over the last few days – thank you for your time, and let me know if you covered this in another video.
Great video guys. Silly question. You keep referring to your van as a "Sprinter", but I could swear I've seen Dodge logos on you steering wheel and rear. Just curious what you van model is. Thanks much. Kind of a noob here…
Not being critical at all here, just an "older person's" perspective:
I think doing all your own work is great when you're younger, nimble, and more "mentally enthusiastic" (if you will) about doing auto mechanics — or even home improvements, fixing this or that — but at a certain age, it simply becomes less appealing. It's not that we "Seniors" can't do this anymore (unless our health has gone South, which happens to many as they get older), nor is it we don't have the tools (or decent skills using them) — we just don't WANT to do it anymore. You have a lot of very competent (but older) "DIYers" out there who just don't have the inclination/enthusiasm for doing that kind of stuff anymore. And crawling around under a vehicle is not as easy (less painful!) today as it used to be. 😉
So, I guess those of us who are of a "certain age" (which varies among individuals, in my case I started become "less interested" in my 60s) who would be best suited to supervise/help someone doing it (or teaching others), but not DOING it ourselves (anymore). You know, much like the typical big, fat, out-of-shape "coaches" who can't do jack anymore but can pass the knowledge along. Of course, not ALL "Seniors" (or coaches) are big/fat, but you get my meaning. 😉
As probably most of your viewers/subscribers are the younger set & just starting out in life, your video here is best applicable for them. For us older people (who also KNOW things — sadly MANY older people still don't, they just got older but none the wiser), we've done our time (paid our dues, if you will) doing those things. In my case (and just one example), pulling/swapping engines out in the street (at night, and in bad weather on top of that), transmissions, and R&R-ing them. Same for building/remodeling homes, building/fixing PCs, and other "life skills" as well (would be great for Homesteading, being self-sufficient/off-grid). Some of us can do/fix pretty much anything…but we may not want to DO it anymore. Or just physically can't.
You two aren't even close to that (so-called Golden Years) point yet, but when you do become Seniors, you may also decide to rethink some of the things you did when younger (like all those younger people who jog regularly, and their knees give out later on). Or maybe not and you'll still continue to do everything until you drop! 😉
I still do plenty of smaller projects (mostly carpentry), but working on my car much I don't. Also, since my current vehicle (2016 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD) is still fairly new (and still on warranty, then HondaCare after that) I take it in to the dealer to have an iron-clad paper-trail to prove (if ever necessary) that maintenance work was done on time and by "certified" technicians…just in case down the road something big comes up they try to link to ME for not doing the scheduled maintenance/repairs right.
One good thing about being knowledgeable when you're older and not as active anymore DIY-wise — and I'm agreeing with what you said yourself towards the end of your video: When you DO take it in to the "professionals" (term used loosely, as many really AREN'T in my many years of dealership/auto-shop "adventures"), if you KNOW things it's harder for them to get over on/BS you. Once they find THAT out, they have to get up pretty early in the morning to pull a fast one — I assure you! No, I'm not a Master of any skills, but as people have said in the past, I am (as other capable Seniors are) "the next best thing." At least I can TRY to fix something, and if that fails, it can always go into the shop. Further, fixing things myself has saved me many thousands of $$ over my life because MOST of the time I didn't HAVE to take it to the pros, not to mention the knowledge hands-on experiences give you (no matter what the area is in question).
Sure, vehicles nowadays are incredibly complicated with their computers running everything — you really DO need trained professionals at some point (I admit I'm not anywhere near the skills a real pro has) — but some of the basics still apply, especially troubleshooting skills (as you show in your video). And we can ALL at least do engine oil & filter/engine air filter/cabin filter changes (the latter a favorite dealer overcharge item!), top-off fluids, windshield-wiper changes, etc. — the smaller stuff (if we still want to) and save that money the dealerships make on you!
It looks like you two are quite competent/confident relying on yourself at the first line of defense (if you will) keeping your Sprinter up & running — that will serve you well (as it has so far) and into the future, as you gain even more knowledge & experience.
Happy Travels,
— BR
0:20 that's downtown Ventura! Our last hometown!
dang Nate, she's cute,mechanically minded,and likes getting her hands dirty,well done sir.
Deleted initial comment .have a fab day
Sweet! What FB groups do you recommend?
switched on couple liked
hahaa you guys !!! an aircraft mechanic BEST mum job ever! love it!
Big help to me as a novice hopefully will go someway to help me now to Get the van part…
Hi Nate and Steph! Sorry to hear about your breakdown, I've been learning a lot from your videos and I'd like to ask you two a question, I'm in the initial phase of converting my van and am having a real rough time removing a bunch of old L track, the bolts are super rusty and corroded and they are super suck, they broke a "Grabit" extractor bit and burned out a drill, so I'm going to focus on removing just the L track, and I'm using a Dremel to cut through it. Would you two have any advice on a better tool to use or method?
I'm mechanically inclined myself,love your channel and how you guys actually explain what is wrong
Amazing video.. Thanks. You guys are in a different league.
I spoke with a guy who drives a sprinter van as part of his job for fexex. I asked him how his van has been in terms of mechanical reliability or issues. And mentioned the issue you two had recently. He said his Sprinter recently had the same issue of wiring wearing down and needing repaired. Overall though, he said he is happy with it. Better than the old fords they use to drive.
I usually fixed most of my probs by myself and the local library. I also sold auto parts and worked in a machine shop. When a person called me up one day and wanted to know if I had muffler bearings. I told him that was an old joke. He was serious and started to get very upset. I also told him no one would stock a muffler bearing, he didn't beleive me. I'm glad I'm not him, thank god.
Really informative and useful video. Thanks guys.
I came from your sprinter van conversion video. Yall's edits are INSANELY well made. I loved the way the video was made. You have a new sub. I'm only 13 but am looking at having a van as my first "house". Fingers crossed I will be able to do it
I just subbed your channel would you be so kind to sub me back thank you RV Davy.
Yes! Great, helpful video. I'm an amateur mechanic and know these things as well but most don't. This has inspired me to get my kids out in the garage this summer and go through some basics.
Agree your driving old vans Agree people need a plan for when they break and some people are not smart enough to do that Agree they sell lots of sprinters Not being whinny by any means Sprinters suck just like anything built after Chrysler merged with merc. Just because big business buy fleet vehicles at cheep price and have tax right offs and warranty to fix them does not make them a good vehicle Sorry to break down the facts for you and the truth Ask any sprinter van dealer mechanic they will tell you, right out of the factory they are one of the most unreliable vehicles on the road
great advice I am on a few of the sites on fb I chuckle a lot about the advice sometimes subbed to your channel