95 E300D glow plugs - broke one...now what - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chuck95e300d · #1 06-12-2006, 03:57 PM

My E300D has been in the shop for a couple of days now. First they found that the glow plug relay was bad...then 4 bad glow plugs.

So I told them to replace them...both of us knowing that it would be a tough job because of the carbon build up.

Bottom line is that they were able to remove 5 of 6 glow plugs. The 6th plug broke at the head but did not shear off (I'm having a hard time visualizing this myself). One option is to pull the head, another option is to leave it there. Interestingly this plug is one of the old ones that still works.

The owner of the shop called to explain the situation. He said there is a remote possibility that the compression of the engine could force the "guts" of the glow plug out...resulting in a very loud leak through the prechamber.

At this point I am having them put everything back together.

aklim · #2 06-12-2006, 04:41 PM

Taking the head out is probably your best solution. We tried to drill it out and it almost screwed up the head itself.

chuck95e300d · #3 06-12-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Taking the head out is probably your best solution. We tried to drill it out and it almost screwed up the head itself.

Yeah they want $2500 to do that...and the tab is already $1500 (including the work to the AC). Heck while I'm there might as well rebuild the cylinder head?

TheDon · #4 06-12-2006, 04:53 PM

they screwed up removing it.. let them take the bill...

chuck95e300d · #5 06-12-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

they screwed up removing it.. let them take the bill...

I wish it was that simple. Before they started the job they said that they know about the problems removing these glow plugs and warned that it was possible that one could break. They took their time working on this and one of them broke.

Maybe I could send the bill to Mercedes?

Maybe I could sell the car as is?

d.delano · #6 06-12-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

Maybe I could sell the car as is?

How much do you need for it? swoop

aklim · #7 06-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

I wish it was that simple. Before they started the job they said that they know about the problems removing these glow plugs and warned that it was possible that one could break. They took their time working on this and one of them broke.

Maybe I could send the bill to Mercedes?

Maybe I could sell the car as is?

606 has that issue. I would take mine out every now and them just to make sure it is still good.

Good luck. Send mine along with it. I got a tech to do it for $400 plus the $100 for the machine shop but that was done at my house for cash.

You'd get raped.

dkveuro · #8 07-21-2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

they screwed up removing it.. let them take the bill...

WHY ?

You never had something break even though you took reasonable precautions ?

Your statement makes it look like they WANTED the thing to break off....

Your out of order !

If you where not a 'fly on the wall' while they where doing the job...keep those kind of comments to yourself.

It makes me so flamming mad when someone becomes an expert on a job they had to let someone else do, because they couldn't do it themselves.

.

.

chuck95e300d · #9 06-14-2006, 10:07 AM

My 95 E300D with 169K miles needed glow plugs. The mechanic doing the work was able to get 5 of 6 glow plugs out (with great care and difficulty) but the 6th plug broke and it is stuck in the head. We knew going in that this could happen.

The car is excellent condition so it is worth it to me to get the job done right, I hope to push this car another couple of years.

Next week they are going to pull the head and get the 6th plug. What else should be done while the head is off? Replace the timing chain or just check the chain "stretch." Valvejob?

Chuck

Jim H · #10 06-14-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

...What else should be done while the head is off? Replace the timing chain or just check the chain "stretch."

Um, I recomment you check the 'stretch' before the head comes off...

Quote:

...Valvejob?

I wouldn't recommend a valve job unless things 'just don't look right' to you.

chuck95e300d · #11 06-14-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim H

Um, I recommend you check the 'stretch' before the head comes off... .

Wise guy !

Quote:

I wouldn't recommend a valve job unless things 'just don't look right' to you

Thanks...

chuck95e300d · #12 06-30-2006, 11:15 AM

Some pics of the engine....head is at the machine shop.

Endust · #13 06-30-2006, 03:47 PM

Im not sure this applies to your car or not so please excuse me if im wong. But in your pics it looks like you let the timing chain drop. Can you get it back on the crank and IP gears without taking the motor out of the car??

Hit Man X · #14 07-21-2006, 09:03 PM

They broke it, they need to fix it.

aklim · #15 07-21-2006, 10:56 PM

I didn't have that much carbon there. In fact they were quite clean. It was the threads that froze up. Not any more. I take them out every year to year and a half I declared. I took them out recently and they were fine.