The good folks in the sprinter_westfalia Yahoo! Group have been discussing turbo resonators (aka TBRs). Since the stock turbo resonator is known to fail under high loads, many replace them before they break. There are two aftermarket models available:

– The Riordan Turbo Resonator Eliminator (part number SRE-06) is a popular one. It’s expensive (over $100) but can’t break in the same way as the originals (the originals, when they break, do so along a seam in the plastic). A drawback is that it doesn’t dampen the turbo whine like the original does, so the whine can be noticeably louder. Some also note extra vibration.

– I’d never heard of the Dorman 904-303 Turbo Sound and Vibration Dampener until it was mentioned in the group. Apparently, it’s a well-made plastic replacement, that may be reinforced on the plastic seam. At $30, it’s pretty cheap insurance.

Replacement is apparently about a 30 minute job. I’ll try and track down some instructions and post them up soon.

(And if you have a Sprinter Westfalia, be sure to join the Yahoo! group. It’s an incredible source of information, and it benefits from additional member participation.)