OM642

[GregMN]

Does anyone know the difference between the 642 installed in sedans and SUV's (211hp / 400 lb.-ft.) and the one installed in Sprinter based motor homes (190hp / 320 lb.-ft.) ?

Different engine management hardware/software ?
Different intake/exhaust systems ?

I am looking at sprinter based motor homes. Anyone with experience ?

[duxthe1]

There are some packaging differences. Single air filter v/s 2, egr stepper and cooler on the side of the motor instead of in the back and in the valley, engine fan v/s electric fan, different routing of charge air lines. I'd expect there may be a bit different engine control though not night and day. They're backed by the 722.6 in the sprinter instead of the 722.9 in the passenger vehicles, which is a good thing. If I were in the market for a 642 passenger vehicle I'd buy the Jeep over the MB just to not have the 722.9.

[GregMN]

Thanks for the input. I believe that the sprinter motor homes with the v6 come with the 5spd and the one's with the 4cyl. come with the 7spd.

[torsionbar]

The sprinter must have a giant oil pan as it holds something like 13 quarts, a lot more than the cars with the same engine.

[KrustyKustom]

I have had 4 of these OM642s and generally liked them. 2009 Sprinter, 2012 Sprinter, 2011 GL350 and 2016 Sprinter 4x4. I still have the 2011 GL with now 123k, only 12k miles on my 16 model Sprinter. Seems around 2014 these motors have a different feel with the updated ECU and how they interact with the transmissions, either the 7speed or 5 speed. My 2011 GL has had its share of challenges;
Timing Chain replacement/stretch at 57k
Oil Cooler Seals at 65K
Intake Stepper Motor 65k
Vac Pump leak, Oil filter housing leaks
Various emissions items (def tank, diff pressure sensor, both nox sensors).

Sprinters have been flawless. Not sure why? Either way the engine is quiet and gets great mileage. I can get up to 30mpg in GL hwy, and never below 22mpg city. Tows my Airstream (17mpg), seats 7 and is a highway cruiser.

My key to success I feel is frequent maintenance and keeping an eye on things. I change the oil at a max of 5k miles, fuel filter at 15k, air filter 20k. The 20k oil change intervals are inviting long term issues in my opinion and so far I have not seen any sludging as some folks have. Sprinter holds 13.4 quarts, GL holds 8.8 qts of oil.