Here's my recent history: Recently the car was puffing smoke at first startup. Next it had trouble starting so i checked glow plugs. Everything checked out 12 volt to plug except I do not have proper amp range. So I pulled plugs to test in line with bridge ground. They were only getting warm. New plugs (Bosch) I tested the same way, and they glowed red.
Now Im wondering is my extremely dirty intake a result of these glow plugs not working or just the EGR? or other? I should say the old plugs had only a slight coating of carbon.
Until this the car was running fine with clear exhaust. Just a little loss of power on hills. The car has almost 300K.
I have scraped heavy globs from the intale up to the valves,where I am now
I figured I would reduce the vaccum hose and scrape and suck out what I can. (any other reccomendations)
The next task I am considering is to pull the injectors,test and rebuild if necessary. I have to tell you Im fighting the idea because if it aint broke dont fix it. But on the other hand if they are not spraying well could that be my problem on hills. I'll appreciate any help or opinions.

Have you tried letting the GPs glow a bit longer on a cold start?

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

With 300K on the engine and the possibility that the intake was never cleaned, the accumulation on the inside of the runners is typical. EGR will certainly worsen this condition, however, most diesels will accumulate some oil and soot on the intake over time.

The accumulation is probably not a factor in performance. Although it looks like hell, the reduction in air volume created by the accumulation is not usually sufficient to affect the performance of the vehicle. If the intake has been removed, most folks will thoroughly clean it to remove as much of those deposits as possible.

The glow plugs have absolutely no possibility of causing the accumulation.

If the vehicle has good idle quality, the likelihood of having a bad injector that fails to provide sufficient fuel on hills is somewhat remote.

The SDL has 150hp. It cannot climb a 6-7% grade at 70 mph in high gear, especially if loaded. Has the capability of climbing hills deteriorated over the time you have owned the vehicle, or, has the performance on hills been relatively constant? What's the grade of the hill and what's your speed? The performance may be typical of this vehicle.

Yes I am soaking the parts now to properly clean them.
I have been driving the car for several years, and It does seem to have lost some power on the hills and initial takeoff,but not to crippling. The real power loss is at slow speeds 0-35 up a steep hill. Its working hard and then at 35 power seems to kick in. The engine prior to the glow plug problem had always idled well.

The valves are also filthy with globs. Ill clean them but should I protect the head somehow from debris slipping by the valves, and is there a carbeurator type cleaner to use on diesel engines?

Doesnt the glow plug timer ensure the plugs glow for minumum period of time, regardless of how fast you actually engage starter? I thought it was dependent on the coolant temp only...just wondering cuz Im tracing a no indicator light issue.

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Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

The moment that you turn the key to the "start" position, the glow plugs shut down. There is no minimum period of time. There is, however, a maximum period of time and that is approximately 40 seconds.

Very good to know, thanks!

__________________
Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !