How Much a Sprinter Van Engine Replacement Costs

A replacement engine is $7,200 to $12,400 if you use a remanufactured (rebuilt) unit. 

The labor is $1,100 to $1800 depending on the repair shop.

So the total average engine replacement cost is between $8,300 and $14,200.

Used engines are cheaper but more of a gamble, new engines are way more expensive. 

That’s why most people prefer rebuilt engines. 

Note that replacing your old engine with a new one is not only more expensive. Sometimes it’s not even an option (e.g. you can’t find a new engine because it’s out of production). 

Basically, remanufactured or rebuilt engines utilize new or re-machined original equipment parts to replace your damaged parts. 

This is why rebuilt engines are the more budget-friendly option compared to getting a brand new engine, especially for older vehicles where the cost of the new engine might exceed the selling price of your van. 

You can potentially avoid paying for this if you’re a mechanic, but I’d advise against installing the rebuilt engine yourself unless you have some prior experience or background in doing those things. 

It’s also worth noting that all Sprinter vans (be it Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, or Freightliner) are powered by the same engines as they’re mechanically identical, only the branding is different. 

And keep in mind that most Sprinters are equipped with diesel engines as gas powerplants are much rarer. and You’ll have a much harder time finding a replacement if your van is powered by a gasoline engine. 

To give you a better idea of exactly how much an engine replacement for your Sprinter van might cost you, in this article, I’ll cover the following topics: 

  • How much you can expect to pay for the most popular Sprinter van engine. 
  • Engine replacement labor time and cost. 
  • Examples of Sprinter van engine replacement options and the relevant prices. 
  • Sample prices for replacing common Sprinter van engine components. 
  • What to do if you need a gas engine replacement for your Sprinter. 

 

Actual Prices of the Most Popular Sprinter Van Engine 

You might be surprised to find out that it’s quite difficult to find any Sprinter van engine for a replacement online, apart from the widely popular 2.7L diesel unit that just about any auto shop is familiar with. 

Note that there are 2 versions of this engine found in T1N Sprinter models, each with a specific engine code – OM612 and OM647: 

OM612 

  • Displacement – 2.7 liters (2,685 cc) 
  • Cylinders – 5 
  • Fuel system – Common rail turbo diesel 
  • Power output – 154 hp 
  • Torgue output – 243 lb-ft 

OM647 

  • Displacement – 2.7 liters (2,687 cc) 
  • Cylinders – 5 
  • Fuel system – Common rail turbo diesel 
  • Power output – 177 hp 
  • Torgue output – 295 lb-ft 

The main difference between these variations of the 2.7L diesel unit is in the intake manifold used. 

Here are some example prices for OM612 Sprinter engines:

 

1. Rebuilt Sprinter Engine ($8,500) 

Details: 

  • Price – $8,500 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Displacement – 2.7L 
  • Engine code – N/A 
  • Condition – Rebuilt/remanufactured 
  • Sprinter model – T1N (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner) 
  • For Sprinter model years – 2002-2006, 2007-2017 
  • Engine year – N/A 
  • Warranty – 1 year or 100,000 miles 
  • Core fee – $1,500 (this fee is required if your original engine cannot be remanufactured or if the engine requires shipping) 

 

2. Used Sprinter Engine ($5,000) 

Details: 

  • Price – $5,000 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Displacement – 2.7L 
  • Engine code – OM647 
  • Condition – Used 
  • Sprinter model – T1N (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner) 
  • Engine year – 2004 
  • Mileage – 32,512 miles 
  • Warranty – N/A 
  • Core fee – N/A 

 

3. Rebuilt Sprinter Engine ($7,500) 

Details: 

  • Price – $7,500 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Displacement – 2.7L 
  • Engine code – N/A 
  • Condition – Rebuilt/remanufactured 
  • Sprinter model – T1N (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner) 
  • For Sprinter model years – 2003-2006 
  • Engine year – N/A 
  • Warranty – 1 year or 100,000 miles 
  • Core fee – $1,500 (this fee is required if your original engine cannot be remanufactured or if the engine requires shipping) 

 

4. Used Sprinter Engine ($4,500) 

Details: 

  • Price – $4,500 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Displacement – 2.7L 
  • Engine code – OM647 
  • Condition – Used 
  • Sprinter model – T1N (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner) 
  • Engine year – 2006 
  • Mileage – 101,000 miles 
  • Warranty – N/A 
  • Core fee – $500 

 

5. Rebuilt Sprinter Long Block Engine ($10,409) 

Details: 

  • Price – $10,409 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Displacement – 2.7L 
  • Engine code – OM612/OM647 
  • Condition – Rebuilt/remanufactured 
  • Sprinter model – T1N (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, Freightliner) 
  • For Sprinter model years – 2001-2006 
  • Engine year – N/A 
  • Warranty – 1 year (unlimited mileage) 
  • Core fee - $2,500 (included in the overall price) 

Remember that all of these prices are for the US. 

 

Engine Replacement Labor Cost Is $1,100 to $1,800

The average labor cost for an engine replacement job is typically between $1,100-$1,800, while the installation time is usually 10 to 12 hours. 

However, these figures will most likely vary between shops as the labor time and cost is affected by factors such as: 

  • The experience and skills of your mechanic. 
  • The per-hour rate of the auto repair shop. 
  • The overall complexity of the engine and the particular engine replacement job. 

Thus, an engine that’s easy to work on should take as little as 8 hours to install for a skilled mechanic, while a large and more complex engine can take up to 15 hours. 

A typical shop average hourly labor cost is between $90-$150 per hour. 

To figure out how much the labor might cost you, do this: 

  1. Get a labor time quote 
  1. Multiply the quoted number of hours by the shop rate 

For example, if your shop tells you it’ll take 10 hours to get the job done and if their hourly rate is $150, then the labor cost for your engine replacement will be $1,500 (10 x 150 = 1,500). 

 

You Can Get a Rebuilt, Used or New Engine

There are several options when it comes to replacing the engine of your Sprinter van, including: 

  • Rebuild/remanufactured engine 
  • Used engine 
  • Brand new engine 

Note that the last option (brand new engine) isn’t applicable most of the time unless your van is relatively new, and it’s much more expensive than any of the other options. 

This is why the vast majority of drivers either go for an engine rebuild or a used one to replace the damaged one. For this reason, in this section, we’ll only focus on these more cost-effective options. 

Note that the example prices below are for the most popular model and engine for Sprinter van engine replacement jobs – the T1N model and the 2.7-liter 5-cylinder diesel engine (engine code OM612/OM647). 

However, labor costs are not included in the prices below as they vary between shops. 

 

Mercedes-Benz T1N Engine Rebuild Price 

This engine remanufacturing involves replacing damaged/older parts with original Mercedes Benz ones. This is because the 2.7-liter engine was made by Mercedes-Benz, hence the name of this rebuild. 

Here’s how much you can expect to pay, including all the details for the job: 

  • Price – $9,540 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Install duration – 15 hours 
  • Warranty – 1 year or 36,000 miles 
  • Other details – The install duration includes cleaning the radiator, and sundry parts installs (at an additional cost). 

 

Jasper Long Block T1N Engine Rebuild 

This Sprinter van engine replacement option is based on a long block engine build of the popular 2.7L unit offered by a company in Indiana that remanufactures engines and transmissions: 

  • Price – $7,428 (excluding installation labor) 
  • Install duration – 21 hours 
  • Warranty – 1 year or 36,000 miles 
  • Other details – You may have to pay an extra $1,750 to exchange Mercedes-Benz injectors if needed. 

Note that you’ll have to personally contact this company for a specific price quote as you don’t put prices on their website. 

 

Random Auto Repair Shop T1N Engine Rebuild 

Remanufacturing your T1N Sprinter’s damaged diesel engine is also doable at most competent shops. 

Let’s use a random one like this auto repair shop in Colorado to give you a clearer idea of how much the average shop charges for an engine replacement via engine rebuild: 

  • Price – $6,500 (including installation labor) 
  • Install duration – N/A 
  • Warranty – 1 year (unlimited mileage) 
  • Other details – The cost of rebuilding the turbo is not included, and the final price depends on your budget and requirements. 

 

T1N Engine Replacement with a Used Engine 

If none of the above suits you, the last option for replacing your Sprinter van engine is to get a used one. 

Such used engines are typically supplied from crashed vehicles 

  • Price – $4,500 (including installation labor) 
  • Install duration – N/A 
  • Warranty – 90 days (only covers major part failures) 
  • Other details – The engine is usually tested and cleaned for future use. 

Swapping a used engine with your current one is a much more straightforward process, although it’s a bit of a gamble as you’ve no idea how well the engine was maintained previously. 

However, a good auto repair shop will test and inspect the used engine before installing it in your Sprinter van. 

 

Prices for Replacing Common Sprinter Engine Parts 

The engines of the Sprinter van are made of various components, some of which tend to be rather pricey. 

And if an entire engine replacement procedure isn’t currently needed or if you want a less expensive solution, below you’ll see the estimated average prices (including labor) for replacing the most common parts in a Sprinter van engine. 

For your convenience, I’ve gathered all data and estimated prices from YourMechanic‘s vast database for the most common Sprinter brands – Mercedes and Dodge: 

 

MB Sprinter Engine Parts Replacement Cost 

Model: Year: Engine: Engine Part: Estimated Replacement Price: Shop / Dealer Price: 
Sprinter 1500 2020 2.0L L4 turbo gas Serpentine/drive belt  $304.49 $352.49 – $462.74 
Sprinter 2500 2010 3.0L V6 diesel Manifold absolute pressure sensor (MAP) $351.75 $428.44 – $619.14 
Sprinter 2500 2011 3.0L V6 diesel Oxygen sensor (rear, lower, downstream) $1066.03 $1326.32 – $2067.75  
Sprinter2500 2013 3.0L V6 diesel Ignition coil $308.45 $378.05 – $539.64 
Sprinter 3500 2015 3.0L V6 diesel Front crankshaft seal $201.47 $234.96 – $276.39  
Sprinter2500 2017 2.1L L4 diesel Crankshaft position sensor  $244.17 $291.50 – $410.91 
Sprinter 3500 2014 2.1L L4 diesel Oxygen sensor (front, upper, upstream) $672.75 $834.68 – $1281.12  
Sprinter 3500XD 2018 3.0L V6 diesel Water pump $846.98 $1033.03 – $1553.38 
Sprinter 3500XD 2018 3.0L V6 diesel Serpentine/drive belt $246.99 $289.99 – $396.49 

 

Dodge Sprinter Engine Parts Replacement Cost For Sprinter 2500 

Year: Engine: Engine Part: Estimated Replacement Price: Shop / Dealer Price: 
2003 2.7L L5 diesel Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve $1643.99 $2036.24 – $3190.49 
2004 2.7L L5 diesel Oil pressure sensor $409.92 $474.91 – $624.87 
2004 2.7L L5 diesel Engine (or transmission) mount replacement $225.59 $268.24 – $373.68 
2005 2.7L L5 diesel Fuel injector $5123.87 $6389.75 – $10162.56 
2006 2.7L L5 diesel Fuel pressure regulator $1049.57 $1292.31 – $1991.63 
2007 3.5L V6 gas Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve $1632.33 $2025.67 – $3182.62 
2007 3.0L V6 diesel Fuel injector $12642.67 $15761.02 – $25053.79 
2008 3.5L V6 gas Oil pressure sensor $246.95 $289.94 – $396.41 
2009 3.0L V6 diesel Engine (or transmission) mount $800.15 $953.50 – $1336.93 
2009 3.0L V6 diesel Fuel pressure regulator $500.99 $607.01 – $893.53 
2013 3.0L V6 diesel Ignition coil $308.45 $378.05 – $539.64 
2015 3.0L V6 diesel Front crankshaft seal $201.47 $234.96 – $276.39  
2017 2.1L L4 diesel Crankshaft position sensor  $244.17 $291.50 – $410.91 
2014 2.1L L4 diesel Oxygen sensor (front, upper, upstream) $672.75 $834.68 – $1281.12  
2018 3.0L V6 diesel Water pump $846.98 $1033.03 – $1553.38 
2018 3.0L V6 diesel Serpentine/drive belt $246.99 $289.99 – $396.49 

Note that prices may vary depending on your location – these are just the estimated averages. 

 

Gas Engine Replacement Cost for Sprinter Van 

Finding information online about the price of a gas engine replacement on a Sprinter van is quite tricky. 

I did plenty of research, and I couldn’t find a single offer for an engine replacement for any Sprinter gas engines, including the more widespread 3.5L V6 unit. 

That’s why my advice is to get in touch with your mechanic or auto shop and ask them about replacing a gasoline Sprinter van engine. 

Alternatively, check in with your local recycling and salvage centers to see if they have any Sprinter gas engines available. 

These are the gas Sprinter engines, for 2000 to 2018 models: 

  • 1.8-liter 4-cylinder (M271) 
  • 2.3-liter 4-cylinder (M111) 
  • 3.5-liter V6 (M272) 

Note that the 3.5L unit (engine code M272) is by far the most popular gasoline engine for Sprinter vans. 

Here’s an example of the cost of a repair on the M272 to give you an idea of just how much an engine replacement might cost you: 

  • 3.5L V6 gas engines produced between 2004-2008 (serial numbers below 2729..30 468993) typically show early wear of the balance shaft gears with a retail repair cost of $4,000

Any additional engine repairs will quickly bump this price. So you can see how an engine replacement may cost half the price of your entire Sprinter van, if not more. 

 

Conclusion 

Engine replacement for a Sprinter van (via engine rebuild) usually costs between $7,200-$12,400 on average (not counting labor). 

Used engines are typically a bit cheaper, but they’re more of a gamble as you don’t know how the previous owner/s used them. 

And brand new engines are simply too expensive, and they don’t make sense from a financial standpoint for older vehicles. 

That’s why most people opt for an engine remanufacturing/rebuild job as their go-to engine replacement option. 

While labor costs typically vary from $1,100 to $1,800 on average, depending on the mechanic and shop. 

Note that finding a diesel engine for a Sprinter van is much easier than a gasoline one, as I personally struggled to find even one offer for a Sprinter gas engine online. 

Also, a quality engine rebuild job should drastically extend the overall lifespan of your Sprinter. 

A Sprinter van with one of the popular diesel engines can easily go beyond 300,000 miles if properly maintained. So an engine replacement can be a sensible choice, especially if you plan on keeping the vehicle. 

Just make sure that the engine you’re getting is in good condition. If your current engine will be remanufactured/rebuilt, then you need a skillful mechanic that you can trust.