several years ago I repaired my broken vents by buying metal wire from the hardware store the same diameter as the pegs that broke off. I took the broken vent fins, ground the damaged peg on the end smooth, drilled a 1/4" deep hole where the peg was, put a few drops of super glue in the hole, inserted the metal wire, cut off the excess, belt sanded the cut wire end smooth to the proper length, and installed the fin. Repeated the process on the other broken fins. Labor intensive, but got the job done and still functioning properly today.
Does removing the vent cover as you've done here allow you to access the operating mechanism of the thumbwheel openclosed control, that rotates the circular flap inside the vent? I have yet to find instruction anywhere for how to fix a vent that's "stuck" open... Thank you for your videos!
@@FloridaVanMan Hello Sir , I am restoring a 2006 T1N and am in search of an upper engine cover . The one that goes over the injectors. Do you know where I might find one either new or used ? Respectfully , Micoolb
@@michaelbulger7183 There are a few used Sprinter parts sellers in the FaceBook group for T1N's. I have one but I'm traveling for the next 10 days. If you join our Patreon I will find it for you when I get home. eBay would be my next suggestion.
Cool! Does this procedure allow access to cleaning under the “glass” in front of the speedometer? After a few years in the south of New Mexico, that micro dust has piled up under there…
@@FloridaVanMan ~ I did watch the full video (I’m not that daft 🤣). There is a reason I put “glass” in quotes - but I edited my comment to make clear that I was referring to the plexiglass in front of the speedometer.
@@FloridaVanMan ~ awesome, thank you! I'm grateful my vents are still [mostly] intact, but like you, I've enjoyed doing all these small but satisfying little aesthetic fixes 😊
Bill Thank you for all the awesome T1N sprinter videos. I need to join as a Patron i think lol Do you have any idea how i can turn off my seatbelt indicator, It beeps at me constantly and no mechanic shops around hear can figure out why... My van also goes into limp mod...every first start of the day and i have to flash the key and it goes away. another issue even our mechanic shops cant figure out
If the wire under the driver seat is plugged in, I'd need to look at the van to find a break in the circuit. Some swivel seats might foul the connection and a jumper wire between the seat and the seat-base might correct it. Limp mode every morning sounds like a MAF error. We have a video for testing the MAF with a volt meter.
eBay has them from several sellers, and also AliExpress if you are willing to wait weeks. Ali is a LOT less expensive, but they don't seem to have the passenger side for air-bag models, only non-airbag dash inserts for the passenger side.
To be fair, any source for dash vents will likely disappoint us. The quality of the moving parts is very poor! I imagine many folks are happy with purchases from RockAuto and I only hear about the bad ones. For these vents I think AliExpress has the same poor quality for less $.
Agreed! $100 is too much. The tip is just knowing how to fix the vents, because we all have broken ones and many don't realize how easy it is to fix without dealership labor prices on top of the high priced parts.
Those vents on top of and near center of the dash are different from the other vents, and the grill between them is no speaker until much later model years. In a T1N the center grill is just a decoration that allows the slightest heat from the radio to escape and the vents beside it route over the air-conditioning, but not the heater. Best to just turn them off individually when you want heat and not additional fresh* air.
Yes, there are a few more screws involved. The cover over the air bag just pops off, then you will see three screws holding a little plate that must be set aside.
@@FloridaVanManHiya, are you available too ask some questions, I have a couple of quirks that I’m having trouble ( and mechanics ) resolving! Also are you open too suggestions for video content? Eg How too fix seatbelts not retracting back in completely, also a maintenance video on the central locking system ( I clean off the terminal points but it keeps fouling which causes having too press the lock on the fob several times & even then unsure if all the doors are locked !! Love your content here in Australia!! Thanks Champ!!
@@innercense Yes to all of the above. Membership through Patreon makes it all possible, including 1-on1 assistance and custom videos. Our list of video ideas is long, but time and budget are short. More memberships translates to less time selling my body laying on my back.... under a van doing the maintenance I already made videos about. :) patreon.com/Florida_Van_Man?Link&
Insanity - is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Why would I spend my hard earned money on a cheap plastic part? They'll just break again. The real solution to the problem is to build a part that doesn't break. This is the best option.
I sure
Appreciate you guys I always watch a video before I take something on
several years ago I repaired my broken vents by buying metal wire from the hardware store the same diameter as the pegs that broke off. I took the broken vent fins, ground the damaged peg on the end smooth, drilled a 1/4" deep hole where the peg was, put a few drops of super glue in the hole, inserted the metal wire, cut off the excess, belt sanded the cut wire end smooth to the proper length, and installed the fin. Repeated the process on the other broken fins. Labor intensive, but got the job done and still functioning properly today.
So much help, now I feel confident ordering these for mine
I see a lot of these broken. Mine included lol. I will reference this video when I change mine. Thanks
Its nice to know they can be changed.
Another great video!!
Does removing the vent cover as you've done here allow you to access the operating mechanism of the thumbwheel openclosed control, that rotates the circular flap inside the vent? I have yet to find instruction anywhere for how to fix a vent that's "stuck" open...
Thank you for your videos!
Yes, you can get at the flap by removing the vents. Some of the flaps are in a little replaceable boxes.
@@FloridaVanMan
Hello Sir ,
I am restoring a 2006 T1N and am in search of an upper engine cover . The one that goes over the injectors. Do you know where I might find one either new or used ?
Respectfully ,
Micoolb
@@michaelbulger7183 There are a few used Sprinter parts sellers in the FaceBook group for T1N's. I have one but I'm traveling for the next 10 days. If you join our Patreon I will find it for you when I get home. eBay would be my next suggestion.
Cool! Does this procedure allow access to cleaning under the “glass” in front of the speedometer? After a few years in the south of New Mexico, that micro dust has piled up under there…
Huh? There is no glass near these vents. Please watch the videos Before* asking questions. :)
@@FloridaVanMan ~ I did watch the full video (I’m not that daft 🤣). There is a reason I put “glass” in quotes - but I edited my comment to make clear that I was referring to the plexiglass in front of the speedometer.
@@ArianaSarahaFlightBehavior Sorry I misunderstood. A few more screws will let you remove the dash cluster and the clear front snaps off.
@@FloridaVanMan ~ awesome, thank you! I'm grateful my vents are still [mostly] intact, but like you, I've enjoyed doing all these small but satisfying little aesthetic fixes 😊
What I would love to know is why these vents are ALL broken on my 2005... just abuse over time? Cheap parts? 🤷♀️
Poor design. they did most things pretty well, and if one thing had to be totally botched up I'm glad it is so insignificant.
Bill Thank you for all the awesome T1N sprinter videos. I need to join as a Patron i think lol
Do you have any idea how i can turn off my seatbelt indicator, It beeps at me constantly and no mechanic shops around hear can figure out why...
My van also goes into limp mod...every first start of the day and i have to flash the key and it goes away. another issue even our mechanic shops cant figure out
If the wire under the driver seat is plugged in, I'd need to look at the van to find a break in the circuit. Some swivel seats might foul the connection and a jumper wire between the seat and the seat-base might correct it.
Limp mode every morning sounds like a MAF error. We have a video for testing the MAF with a volt meter.
I forgot to mention the best way to support the channel with a donation. floridavanman.com/donate/
Where did you get the new vents ?
eBay has them from several sellers, and also AliExpress if you are willing to wait weeks. Ali is a LOT less expensive, but they don't seem to have the passenger side for air-bag models, only non-airbag dash inserts for the passenger side.
I had reckoned this impossible
Hey Bill thanks - what would you call this part? Looking on rock auto…
"Dash vents, driver side" and RockAuto will disappoint you. They always do with Sprinter parts.
@@FloridaVanMan, where would you suggest too purchase from? I’m guessing they are exactly the same for a right hand drive?
To be fair, any source for dash vents will likely disappoint us. The quality of the moving parts is very poor! I imagine many folks are happy with purchases from RockAuto and I only hear about the bad ones. For these vents I think AliExpress has the same poor quality for less $.
Wait whats the tip. Anyways what would be great is 3d printer files we could print ourselves these plastic parts.
Agreed! $100 is too much. The tip is just knowing how to fix the vents, because we all have broken ones and many don't realize how easy it is to fix without dealership labor prices on top of the high priced parts.
@@FloridaVanMan In Sydney Australia, the stealerships charge over $300 AUD per hour
What causes the 2 upper vents on dash beside speaker to blow colder?
Those vents on top of and near center of the dash are different from the other vents, and the grill between them is no speaker until much later model years. In a T1N the center grill is just a decoration that allows the slightest heat from the radio to escape and the vents beside it route over the air-conditioning, but not the heater. Best to just turn them off individually when you want heat and not additional fresh* air.
Can i replace vents on passenger side as well. I saw the parts on eBay Is that correct?
Yes, there are a few more screws involved. The cover over the air bag just pops off, then you will see three screws holding a little plate that must be set aside.
@@FloridaVanManHiya, are you available too ask some questions, I have a couple of quirks that I’m having trouble ( and mechanics ) resolving!
Also are you open too suggestions for video content? Eg How too fix seatbelts not retracting back in completely, also a maintenance video on the central locking system ( I clean off the terminal points but it keeps fouling which causes having too press the lock on the fob several times & even then unsure if all the doors are locked !!
Love your content here in Australia!!
Thanks Champ!!
@@innercense Yes to all of the above. Membership through Patreon makes it all possible, including 1-on1 assistance and custom videos. Our list of video ideas is long, but time and budget are short. More memberships translates to less time selling my body laying on my back.... under a van doing the maintenance I already made videos about. :) patreon.com/Florida_Van_Man?Link&
Yeet!!!
Insanity - is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
Why would I spend my hard earned money on a cheap plastic part? They'll just break again.
The real solution to the problem is to build a part that doesn't break. This is the best option.
My remedy to that issue was to repair the broken fins using metal wire. ~10 years on, still working