Loop or Pencil Glow Plugs
 

I've searched the forum already, but still have a couple of questions. I plan on using diesel giant's step by step instructions on diagnosing / changing glow plugs.

I don't know if my 82 300td has loop or pencil style gp's, and I don't know enough about them to visually tell the difference. I need to order new plugs and knowing which ones to get would be nice.

Also, any good websites to order the plugs from? I read recently that diesel giant is MIA...I want to avoid Mercedes Benz of San Diego charging $30/ plug or something ridiculous.

Loop style glow plugs are going to be wired in series, there'll be a wire going from one glow plug to the next.

Pencil plugs are wired in parallel, each plug will have its own wire going to it that doesn't touch the other plugs.

DieselGiant has Pencil plugs with the right fittings to fit into one of the old engines, I'm pretty sure.

You should have pencil style in your '82.
If you need them today, any major auto parts retailer should have them in stock. They seem to range from $10-$25.

Agreed.

use either Bosch or Beru brand glow plugs.. autolites suck

As do "Champion" and "Monarch"

if you have an autozone near you, go there, they sell the correct bosch plugs for about 10.00 each and if you buy them 2 at a time, you get your card stamped, and after the 3rd or 4th purchase. you get 20.00 worth of stuff free there...

the loop style have a metal hard line shaped like a long "W" in between each of the plugs, and the front most one will have a metal braided cable bolted to the block attached... unless your engine was swapped for a non turbo older motor, it's got the pencil style.

Hmmm...well. I took a look under the hood last night after work and saw that the plugs were wired in series, each connected to the other with a wire (actually metal braided cable). Based on Jkoebel and Magoo, that means that pencil style plugs.

I didn't see metal hard lines between the plugs...guess I'll look again.

Thanks for the tip. I can find an autozone.

Has anyone purchased them recently?
I just priced them on Monday at AZ and the Bosch brand was $25:eek:
Fastlane has them at $15:D
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1ZZ0S1AX726U0Y2MHU&year=1983&make=MB&model=300-DT-001&category=F&part=Glow+Plug

does anyone know where to find the metal loops that go between the plugs on the old style? one of mine is in pretty sad shape and i was going to replace them when i get new plugs (no im not interested in going to the new pencil style since it didn't come stock that way)

You wouldn't regret springing for the new ones, I promise. Why is it you dont want to switch?

I went glow plug shopping. Kragen auto parts didn't have them in stock, but could order them for $23/each and have them to me on October 5th.

I passed on that deal, drove down the street to an indy garage, asked the owner if he could find me some. He's charging me $16/each and is having them delivered by 5pm tonight. I may be able to find them cheaper, but feel that the convience is worth the extra few bucks.

i want to keep everything original on the car

OK, that would be the only reason I could think of:)

yeah me too... but i live in the south and the car is basically a weekend toy so i don't mind waiting a few extra seconds for it to start:cool: