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.

sokoloff · #8 06-12-2006, 05:51 PM

I was able to remove my broken glow plug without removing the head by drilling it out. Others have not been so lucky. See all the details here:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu...ight=glow+plug

Len

chuck95e300d · #9 06-12-2006, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.delano

How much do you need for it? swoop

Gee I don't know....a 95 E300D special edition went for $14K on Ebay the other day...

How much you got?

chuck95e300d · #10 06-12-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokoloff

Others have not been so lucky.

Len thanks for the thread and glad you were lucky. I'm not a lucky guy

d.delano · #11 06-12-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

Gee I don't know....a 95 E300D special edition went for $14K on Ebay the other day...

How much you got?

I got plenty, not sure if I want someone else's big problem that bad though! That's why I asked how much you need not how much you want. I already got the best diesel MB ever made IMHO. It was only a jab, incidentally if I wanted a 14k diesel w124 I'd get an '87

for $3k and sink $11k into it post-purchase.
Relax and take your time. You WILL have that car running better than ever after this whole ordeal is finished.

chuck95e300d · #12 06-12-2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.delano

I got plenty, not sure if I want someone else's big problem that bad though! That's why I asked how much you need not how much you want.

Yeah, I gotta get this car fixed. If I sold it I wouldn't know what I buy since I can't afford a new 320 CDI. Cheaper to fix this one and move on. Doesn't mean I'm happy though

chuck95e300d · #13 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