Trick to removing glow plugs without bleeding to death? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesStein · #1 11-05-2005, 10:36 PM

Ok..

I had to remove my glowplugs again for the 3rd time in a year. 4 of them died to varrying degree's.

2 of them died completely. (infinite resistance)
2 of them had a resistance of around 30 ohms.

My question is this, is there a way to remove them without donating blood?

The backs of my hands look like I put them through a plate glass window.

Now I do have gorilla hands, but still. It shouldn't take 4 hours and 2 pints of blood to swap out some glow plugs...

Palangi · #2 11-05-2005, 10:41 PM

A. Buy a different brand of glow plugs.

2. Take the metal fuel lines off for this job.

III. Use ratcheting wrenches.

All kidding aside, could your glow plug relay be sticking in the on position? Perhaps intermittantly?

JamesStein · #3 11-05-2005, 10:50 PM

Perhaps.. its not that I've replaced them several times. The last time was when I pulled the prechambers and injectors.

I use a 12mm ratching wrench to pull the plugs. It seems like removing the hardlines would take longer, but perhaps not when all is said and done. I'll have to try that next time.

Palangi · #4 11-05-2005, 10:55 PM

In a warm climate you would not expect to use many glowplugs. I have replaced 1 in about 250k miles on 2 cars.

I think if I was just replacing 1 plug, I would just reach in there and go for it, but for 4 of 'em, I would definitely get the fuel lines out of the way.

#5 11-05-2005, 10:56 PM

I normally do mine with the fuel lines in place, but it's a tight fit for my (average size) hands. It's probably easier to remove the fuel lines if your hands are to big to squeeze between/around them.

What brand of GPs are you using? I've found the Bosch (from the dealer) GPs last pretty well.

burndup · #6 11-05-2005, 11:04 PM

I just swapped out all mine today for the "fast" style... had my injektor lines off for a different problem... so I did mine with a 13/16" endwrench, as I have the "big" style... piece of cake.

My car actually starts again!

pawoSD · #7 11-06-2005, 01:07 AM

The bosch duraterm glow plugs are definatley worth the money, they seem to last forever, I have the afterglow relay, which means approx 3 mins of glowtime each time I start the car (no matter what temp it is outside) and at over 1.5 years old, every single plug is still working great! If I glow for 5+ seconds when its below 32 and above 20 deg's, it starts on 1-2 cranks. Below 20degs, I'll give it 15-20 seconds to glow, then crank, and once again its 2-3 cranks to start. Excellent.

#8 11-06-2005, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesStein

It seems like removing the hardlines would take longer, but perhaps not when all is said and done. I'll have to try that next time.

Definately false economy. It took me like two hours when I removed the metal lines and went very slowly and carefully because I had never done anything like this (my first diesel specific repair) before. Did you ream the holes out? You might be doing it again soon if you didn't ream the holes out.

RAYMOND485 · #9 11-06-2005, 01:38 AM

1984 300d Turbo
Ream The Holes Due To Carbon Build Up They Overheat And Burn Up
And The Car Will Start Up Fast With New Plugs And Reamed Holes
Autozone Have Glow Plugs And Other Mercedes Rebuild Parts
Brakes, Simiaxles, Belts, Starters, Alternators, Light Bulbs And
Tools

phidauex · #10 11-06-2005, 12:50 PM

I have tiny hands, and use ratcheting box wrenches, and do it without removing the hard-lines. But if your hands aren't tiny, taking the hard lines off doesn't take long, and would make it MUCH easier.

I had to replace my GPs when I bought the car (it was a Texas car, so the PO didn't even realize that three of them were out, car started fine without them), and replaced with Autolite brand. Big mistake. They all died in a few months.

Replaced with Bosch 80006 (9.99$ at autozone), and they've been great ever since (about a year). I did NOT ream the holes out, since I didn't have the GP reamer at the time.. I'll make sure to borrow one for my next GP change, whenever that is.

peace,
sam

Hit Man X · #11 11-06-2005, 01:58 PM

Next time I swap the GPs on the SD I will remove those IP lines. It took me around three hours to do the five GPs as my hands are large too. I don't see it taking much more than 15-20min to remove those IP lines.

Also if they're out of the way you'll have less chance of dropping a wrench behind the IP and oil filter housing in addition to those small nuts for the GPs.

Glinko · #12 11-06-2005, 02:14 PM

the plugs in my 240 are going. I started it yesterday to move it onto wheel ramps.

All I have to say is this: I salute the battery in that car. I was in a pissed off mood and I wasn't going to take any S***. When it didn't want to start I just held the fuel pedal and cranked it for almost a minute. It finally started...I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the fire department.

Now my starter is going to die.

jcd · #13 11-06-2005, 03:20 PM

I have had the worst luck with the Bosch glowplugs.

I bet I have had 5 go bad in the last year.

JCD

t walgamuth · #14 11-06-2005, 03:37 PM

when streched out measure 9.5" from tip of thumb to tip of pinky. i use them for rough measurements of doors and such when i know it is either a 32" door or a 36" door and the like. (this is not small for hands on a 5' 8" guy).

i can remove all the hard lines and switch out the glow plugs probably in 40 minutes. it is the way to go for me. but i have done it many times too. i dont like cutting my hands.

tom w

leathermang · #15 11-06-2005, 04:21 PM

You should treat changing the glow plugs just as you would surgery..
Do not take any blood thinning medicines within 5 days of the event. No aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, or ibuprofen ( Motrin, Advil, Alleve ).