Answer
Mar 17, 2025 - 01:09 AM
Pulling the intake manifold on a NCV3 Sprinter is totally doable, but it’s one of those jobs where Mercedes didn’t make it easy, especially if you’ve got the 3.0L V6 diesel (OM642).
First thing —disconnect the battery. Then start pulling the air filter housing, intake ducts, and anything in the way up top. You’ll need to remove the EGR valve and some of the EGR piping too — all bolted right into the intake. Those bolts can be stubborn, so soak them if they’re crusty.
There are also a bunch of electrical connectors and vacuum lines across the top of the intake — label them or take photos, it helps a lot when putting things back together. Once all that’s out of the way, you’ll see the intake manifold bolts. There are several of them, and they’re not all that easy to reach, so patience helps here. A long extension with a wobble joint will be your best friend.
Before you lift it off, double-check that all hoses and wires are disconnected — I've seen people crack the manifold yanking it with a vacuum line still attached. Once it's off, clean the mating surfaces real good, and always replace the gaskets. If you're dealing with carbon buildup (which is super common on these), now’s the perfect time to clean out the ports and the manifold itself—it can get real gunked up.
Sounds complicated, but it's actually easy once you know the step-by-step procedure — and that's exactly what this manual software offers. It's a factory manual, meaning it has Mercedes' recommended procedure on replacing the intake manifold on your Sprinter. It will show the full torque specs, bolt tightening sequence, and every little connector location — definitely worth following once you’re ready to get your hands dirty.
Perhaps it's best to get your hands on one before you start unbolting anything 😉.
