My new to me 87 300TDT wagon is very cold blooded, It is garage kept, starts ok then runs very rough at idle for a minute or two.

I know some forum members have done the purple wire in the GP relay mod, I am more interested in the after glow system found on the later cars.
Does anyone have part numbers for the Beru after glow plug for this engine. Beru's web site does not offer a retro kit for the 603 or any replacement after glow plug info, But I do remember a member using a relay I beleive from a 95 and a Beru
after glow plug, problem is I can't seem to find the thread, might use the purple wire trick but in either case would like to find the afterglow rated plug, thanks.
Ron

I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but, I have found that I can get the 603 to start and run almost perfectly smooth if I glow the plugs for 30 seconds.

This morning, with the vehicle sitting for two weeks, and a 30°F. ambient, I glowed it for about 30 seconds and it started with only a few hiccups for the first 15 seconds or so. After that, it was perfectly smooth.

I might also suggest that you consider a set of glow plugs for it, if they have not been changed recently. If one or two are marginal, this will affect the initial cold start performance.

I usually bring it right up to 1000 rpm for the first minute to help the warmup.

Personally, I won't go to the effort and expense of the afterglow.

Thanks Brian,
I have installed a new set of glow plugs, as I said the car starts fine, but as you know once the starter is terminated you loose the glow, afterglowing for me is the only way to go, I have installed the Bosch retrofit system on my 85 wagon and the car runs like a sewing machine on the coldest days, My 93, and 05 both factory after glow, So I have convinced myself that this 87 will afterglow as well, thanks for the reply,
Ron

That's rather interesting. With new plugs the 603 still behaves badly for the first two minutes. I wonder what causes this with one engine and not with others? Could it be compression based upon mileage? This one has something less than 140K on it, so, it's "relatively" young.

It would seem like they should all perform "somewhat" similar to each other.

Be interesting to see how it does with the afterglow, however.

Yea, my issue may be complcated by the fact that I live at 7800' above sea level, this car is low millage as well and runs excellent once warm, I just think losing the glow after start is the problem, hence most people seem to have modified their GP relays by cutting the purple/violet wire in the relay, for the extended glow, however, without the additional mod of wiring the relay to the 50 C switch seems like the standard glow plugs would take a beating, thats why I am looking for the afterglow rated plug.

Afterglow relays from the OM603.97 (rodbender) engines occasionaly show up on Ebay, listed by PAG. I've seen them go for as low as $25. I believe they require the installation of an additional temp sensor, as well as the afterglow plugs.

A cheaper solution would be to simply wire a toggle switch into the violet wire circuit, or go with the slightly more expensive 50C relay , which is still pretty damn cheap.

If I forget to plug it in overnight and I start my 603 in 30F or below weather it runs like crap for a minute or so then smooths out. If I let it glow untill I hear the relay click off, it starts right up and runs perfect, even in 10-20F weather.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

search "purple wire" - its about a longer glow cycle on 603s. makes a big difference in the cold.

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

Thanks for the reply, Can someone tell me if the glow plugs designed for afterglow years 90-95- 603/606 are the same Size/ dimension as the previous glow plug used in the 86-87/603. If so I think I have solved my problem, Duraterm glowplugs are available for the newer engines and Potomic has the later relays just need to resolve the glow plug fitment issue.
Thanks again
Ron

I sense some confusion in this thread about the afterglow. Afterglow has nothing to do with the glow plugs, it's a feature that the new relays have. All you need is a new relay which can be purchased online. I have the new relay on my 83 240D and that thing runs smooth and quiet even after the coldest starts.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Thanks, I am aware of the fact that the GP relay controls afterglow, however the standard glow plugs for the 87 603 are not designed for afterglowing and WILL fail rather quickly if used with a GP relay that provides afterglow, Both Bosch and BERU make glow plugs designed for afterglow, I am trying to find out if the newer design will FIT the 87 603. Same lengh etc. Thanks
Ron

I don't know about Bosch but mine were Beru and they failed after 65K. Mine is a 606 and they said that it was the afterglow that wore down the plugs faster.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

My 99 went thru glow plugs at 50k, so you are doing better than average at 60k plus, my 320cdi has a newer system that heats instantly, no warm up thats perceptable, I wonder how long they will last?


Getting back to my question does anyone know whether or not the later glow plugs that are rated for afterglow will FIT (length etc) in the 87 603.
Thanks Ron

Has anyone tried the new Bosch Duraterm chromium glow plugs? Are they available for the 87 603??

I think any glow plugs that you can buy today are designed with afterglow in mind. I bought a set of Berus for my 603 last year and they were the right size.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL