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!!

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

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Barker

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

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

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

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currently enjoying,
'96 E300 black opal 149K
'97 E300 smoke silver 137K
also owned by family members,
'83 240D manual
'97 E300 white
'02 Jetta TDI

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.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

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

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

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1998 E300Turbodiesel
1980 300d

Ready- Ronnie

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.

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"HEIDI" White 1998 E-300TD 176K
European Delivery is a HOOT!

2002 Harley "FatBoy"

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?

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#dieselFLEET
---------------
'97 E300
'99 E300

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

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.

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"HEIDI" White 1998 E-300TD 176K
European Delivery is a HOOT!

2002 Harley "FatBoy"