I jsut had to replace the glow plugs on my 74 240d for the second time this year. Im no expert, but that dont seem right. Whats going on?

I had to replace one in January, then all four in February and just this weekend replaced all four. Total failure.. Its in a series so if one goes out, they all go out...

Replaced my glow plugs on my 1994 c220 six months ago with NGK ones having a problem starting now and may go back to merc ones

Bad injectors can cause the loop type plugs to burn out. Excessive carbon buildup is another possiblity. There is a special reamer tool for removing the carbon buildup, but it's a bit expensive. In either case, most likely the problem would repeat itself on one cylinder. It doesn't seem likely that all 4 plugs could actually burn out at the same time.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

It is correct that if one plug goes out on a series system, all of the rest quit glowing. However it is generally not because they have failed. It is because the open one has caused an open circuit and the other three can no longer get power!!! Those other plugs should be tested not thrown out!!

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

All four were burnt out for the second time this year... Checked everything else and it seems fine... So I think its probobly me, Im letting them burn too long. Its a 115 so it doesn't have a timed realy...

yes, i think you are glowing too long. is the engine hard to start? also the carbon build up could be causing a problem, perhaps you are damaging them on installation. you are using the original loop type? the fast glow retro fits on the 115 i had found to not last very long... perhaps from glowing too long.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

When doing the conversion, is the 5th dashboard glow plug replaced with a pencil plug as well? If the loop type is left in place there would be a heating time difference between the glow plug types right? Would that account for the extra glow plug time leading to early burnout? or are the pencil plugs just not as robust as the loop type?

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

the dash unit is not changed. it responds quicker with the new plugs. i felt that the fast plugs didnt last very long. i even have a set in my garage that i never installed in th e second 115 that i had. i also am not sure that the fast plugs are as effective in starting an engine designed for the loop plugs. in my old age i am finding less and less instances in which i care to deviate from the factory setup. the mb engineers usually strike the best balance of compromises in their designs.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Jas2on,

Its hard for me to believe that more than one burned out at a time because if one burns out, the others are deenergized. The series GP are like a string of lights, if one goes out, they all go out.

Does the engine run OK otherwise? Are the GP loops physically burned looking?
That could be caused by a bad injectors, but again, It doedn't seem all of then could be bad.

P E H

Did all your Glow Plugs look like this



if so they need replacing, but if the loops were closed and you could read some resestance the should be still good

i had a shorting GP that made this one fail

if they all look like the above it's probly either carbon build up , leaky injectors,or
there on to long

Jason,
sent you a PM with my phone number, give me a call and i'll assist if needed. or stand there and tell you lies while you work.
robert

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Current money-pits:
96 Passat TDI
78 300D 100k miles(60miles/day)FOR SALE
91 Jetta Diesel 250k miles (80miles/day)
82 Toyota Diesel pickup 150k miles; out of service for a little while with a valve problem.
All on BelenBioDiesel
Past diesels:
01 Golf TDI
81 Isuzu P/U
85 Jetta
89 KW 425 cat
85 Pete 400 cat (currently still running the west coast with over 1.5 million miles)
81 KW 400 Cummins
77 Freightliner CO ???? Cummins (Buttercup)
57 180D lots of miles(gone but not forgotten)