1983 300SD

I recently replaced the glowplugs after having to do a lot of cranking to start and very rough initial idle. After replacement I saw really no improvement.

Glow plug indicator light works properly.

12V Before and After Fuse
Relay Clicks on and Off 12V at the Relay 6 pin connection
11V ? at each glow plug (11V's correct I think)

No more than a couple tenths of resistace found on any of the glow plug cables or fuse etc.

Do I have new bad plugs (Bosch)? Is my engine that wore out?

I know glow plug topic has been beat to death and I'm sorry to bring it up again.

__________________
1983 Oil Leaking Ass Kicking 300SD

Did you ream out the glow plug holes before you swapped the GPs? Carbon-cakes in the holes make a difference upon startup.
GPs are only one piece of the puzzle too. Got to look at other stuff like valve adjustment, etc. You have to be on top of all of that to get a smooth startup.

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Are you allowing the "complete" glow plug cycle? I ask because of not being sure of your familiarity with diesels. Turn your key to the glow position and wait till you hear the underhood relay click, and the indicator lights will brighten, then turn to start.

Also, when/have you done a recent valve adjustment?

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I bet if you adjust the valves the car will start much better. Also are you using a block heater?

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

It appears that the glow plugs are not the culprit.

Time to check valve lash and take a look at the injection and valve timing. If the chain is stretched quite a bit, the engine will be hard to start.

Then, it's onto compression. If the numbers are down, it's more difficult to start in the cold.

Additionally, the condition of the battery and starter need to be verified. You can't easily start these without decent cranking speed.

Thanks for all of the replies on a burnout topic.

Adjustment is on my BenzO to do list.Where is the cheapest place to pickup the Valve Adjustment wrenches?

__________________
1983 Oil Leaking Ass Kicking 300SD

FYI this is NOT a good way to start these engines..

If you wait for the relay to click OFF then you have no more glow plug heat and the engine is less likely to start. Your best bet is wait for the light to shut off, then wait another 10-15 seconds (count it) and then try to start it.

If the glow plugs are eletrically off, you will have more trouble starting (if you have starting issues)