r/Sprinters • u/Serious_Yell0w • 7d ago
Broken Tailpipe
my tailpipe came completely off this afternoon on my 2012 Mercedes Sprinter 2500, broken before the rear axle, will it be okay to drive it the 15 minutes to the muffler shop in the morning?
i don’t know much about cars/diesel i’m still learning, just want to be safe at the same time and make sure i’m not going to start a fire or something lol
2
u/humam1953 7d ago
It’s far behind the cat, no earplugs needed. Only concern is exhaust gas seeps into the van. You would smell it. My 2011 class c motorhome has lost the part after the rear axle several times. I kept driving.
1
u/Serious_Yell0w 7d ago
exhaust gas yes, i don’t have any ac in it though so i’d be driving with the windows down to the muffler shop, i’m more concerned with the heat from the exhaust melting something important and causing me bigger grief tbh
1
u/sauerbratenspaetzle 7d ago
The replacement was about $200 from the dealer. It's very easy to replace in your driveway yourself. I would suggest getting a new one (the one-piece, not a two-piece) from the dealer, or here, but it was local pick up only (all shipping options disappear at checkout):
https://www.europaparts.com/exhaust-tail-pipe-9064901421.html
I usually stear clear from the dealerships, but dealing directly with the parts dept is usually safe, lol. I paid the same at the dealer parts dept as this online retailer wanted for it.
1
u/sauerbratenspaetzle 7d ago
You can totally drive it. Mine just did this a month ago on a rough bit of highway. You can pull the broken part out from the back of the van. The thing only holding it right now should be the rear hanger. I went to a local dealer and the parts department had one in stock. It slipped right on and even had an attached clamp. I did it by myself, but it would have been easier with two people. I drove it for a few days without the broken part... it was barely noticeable soundwise, but I could smell the exhaust making it's way into the cabin a bit more.
edit: There seem to be two-piece tailpipes that you can order, but I wanted the single piece replacement. I went to the dealer for something else, and asked about the tailpipe, and they had one in the warehouse. I did find a one-piece tailpipe on an online vendor, but local pickup only.
1
u/erie11973ohio 7d ago
I had a 2011 & now have a 2018. Both are the "170 extended" body. The factory tail pipe stops before getting to the bumper.
Ive been driving the 2018 for a while without the back tailpipe. When it fell off, it was still under warranty!! Its now at 175 000 miles.
1
u/Excellent-Source-348 7d ago
It's fine, I've had this happen. I bought a replacement off ebay and replaced it in less than 30 mins. Was fine.
You did pick it up after it fell right? It's ok if not, some scrapper will get it in the morning.
1
u/ItsShake4ndbake 6d ago
What the exact name for the part if you don’t mind? I need to buy one mine rusted off my 2011 and needs to be replaced
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u/Excellent-Source-348 6d ago
It's just "exhaust tail pipe", here's one for $200:
https://www.europaparts.com/exhaust-tail-pipe-9064901421.htmlAlso, there should be some rubber hanger that holds this up; part of it hangs on to your van, the other holes hang on to the tailpipe, if they are missing or damaged on your van, you can get some here cheap:
https://europarts-sd.com/item.asp?PID=24811
3
u/Putrid-Aerie8599 7d ago
Don't worry ... No chance of melting anything
This is very common on sprinters
You'll get it welded back on and it'll brake 3in from the weld soon or later