W210 check engine electronics light
 

I'm baaaaack. Haven't had any problems with the diesel until last week. Check engine electronics light came on. Car was running fine, normal acceleration & startup until 2 days ago. Car started and sounded and felt real rough like it was not on all cylinders and was 'nailing' loudly, also some smoke at startup, which it never does and the rpms were low. After it warmed up, it smoothed out, the rpms came up, and it drives fine all day. I am going to take her in next week, but any suggestions so I can keep Enrique in check? Maybe a clogged injector??

As always, thanks in advance!!

98 E300
 

When mine did this, it was having glow plug issues. Ran great when engine was hot.

I also had a single glow plug fail and had similar symptoms. Jim

I had the same symptoms on my 97 and it was a glowplug

Thanks for the responses, all. The startup is worsening, but like I said, she's ok after it warms. I guess glow plug is better than fouled injector, ect.....

Never had any of them replaced and car now has 68K on her. Should I have them all replaced at once, because of that manifold removal mess?

Again, thanks in advance!

If you're paying someone else to do it, then have them all replaced. The dealership acts like its a nightmare to remove the intake manifold, but it really only takes a few minutes once you know how.

Thanks Rick. My indi worked as the service manager for 20 years at the local dealer and quit when the ownership changed last year. I will probably get them all changed out--I have read too many horror stories about breaking them off, ect...here to do it meself.

You can test them at the glow plug relay with an ohm meter. If good they should read 0.6 ohms.

Just replaced a broken glow plug in mine. Not fun, but it turned out okay.

Len
'99 E300TD

clean manifold
 

When you have the glow-plugs changed ask if they will clean the junk out of manifold also.

Intake manifold
 

By following the advice of Lightman, I changed out my glow plugs over Thanksgiving. I cleaned the manifold completely using B12 Chemtool and filtering it. Went from 27 MPG to 31 MPG - my advice: clean it...the "great" mechanic that had previously changed the glow plugs obviously didn't bother....he's no longer my mechanic - you guys are...thanks all.

I used the POR15 Marine Clean and it did a fantastic job, quickly and easily.

Len

How did it handle the gunk built up inside? Di dit break it down and flush right out, or did you still have to use a brush and play around?

It pretty much just broke down and flushed right out, but I gave it some help and did the final touch up with a bottle brush. It looks almost brand new.

Len

please don't laugh.....
 

Guys, total neophyte here. Where is the glow plug relay and what setting do I set my ohm meter to? I am still going to take it in on Monday, but would like to know how to check the plugs. Also, I am checking resistance, so the car is "off" when I check it, right?

Yes, with the car off, driver's side, between the washer fluid bottle and the brake fluid (going on memory here) there is a black plug with 6 heavy gauge wires going into it. Unplug it and measure between the 6 pin receptacles and ground. The intake manifold works fine for ground. Mine all measured under 1 ohm, except #4 measured 103 ohms. I replaced them all at a cost of 138.00 including anti seize and B12 Chemtool. That gunk was easily 1/4" thick and took some effort, but can be done whislt drinking yellow beer. Do a search on glow plugs and do it yourself...it's not that difficult. Good luck.