96 e300d glow plug caps

[pimpernell]

I am in the process of replacing my glow plugs. I have removed everything that needed to be taken out, and am now looking at the six glow plugs, with these little black caps attached to each one. How do you get the little buggers off the glow plugs? I have read one of the diy guides on the forum, and it mentions using a long nose pliers to gently squeeze the sides of the cap to remove it from the glow plug. I have tried this, but its a no go. Any help would be greatly appreciated......thank you

[pimpernell]

Trying to remove the electrical connector at the top of the glow plug. Any help would be greatly appreciated.....thank you...

96 e300d

[Parrot of Doom]

tbh I don't think mine even has those, so I'd just break one off and figure it out.

[TMAllison]

Dont break it; its probably part of the overall wiring harness and pieces are NOT sold separately.

Get in there with a mirror and flashilight and figure out how the clips holding it on work. You probably squeeze it at a certain point to spread the clips enough to pull off. Here a photo of the end of the GP.

http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/image.jsp?title=Glow%20Plug&url=http%3A//img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/F110062530BOS.JPG

[JimSmith]

On my 1998 E300D TurboDiesel these are the connectors that pop on to the glow plug end. They just pull straight off. I used my fingers on almost all of them and a needle nose pliers on ones that were hard to get to. Just pull straight off the plug. Jim

[deltajetfixer]

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Dont break it; its probably part of the overall wiring harness and pieces are NOT sold separately.

Get in there with a mirror and flashilight and figure out how the clips holding it on work. You probably squeeze it at a certain point to spread the clips enough to pull off. Here a photo of the end of the GP.

If you're talking about the plastic connector in the pics below, destroy it with no worries (try not to bend the large non-flexible wire at the terminal end too much though).The clips are a dealer item and @ $1 or so apiece.

I still have a few extra from my glowplug change years back.

[pimpernell]

Thank you all for your responses. They are the ones pictured, and they do in fact just pull off. When I read the diy piece, it mentioned to use a needle nose pliers and squeeze gently. I thought there were some kind of tabs holding them in, and that they had to be pushed in , but that was not the case. I tested all the glow plugs, and as luck would have it, the plug nearest the oil filter housing is the bad one. Can't get a straight shot with the filter housing in the way, so I am considering my options if any. Thank you all again for all your valuable information....

[TMAllison]

This recent thread has some interesting shear/failure data to consider.

OM606 Glow Plug Replacement: Pray for me please

[pimpernell]

I again thank you for taking the time to offer that information. The other 5 plugs are testing good, and I have been able to move them using abut 20-30 n/m. I am moving them back and forth, a little each time, using PB blaster. I am considering leaving the dead plug in place rather than take the chance and having it snap off. As long as the other 5 are working, I will see how that works out. I am not looking to pull the head at this point in time, and if it gets to the point of the car not starting I will have to work around it somehow by using my wifes car if need be. I have read some of the horror stories regarding this issue, and am not looking to get myself in a situation where the car becomes totally unusable. Thanks for your help and I will let you know how it turns out.....

[Jeremy5848]

What happens if a mechanic or (better yet) the dealer snaps a glow plug? Do they have special tools to extract the stub, do they eat the cost of pulling the head, or do they call you and say "Mr. Jones, you have a problem?"

Jeremy

[JimSmith]

Did the #6 plug get stuck? Is there a big difference in the arrangement of the oil filter and engine in the non-turbo vs. turbo versions of this car? I had no issues with the oil filter that I can recall and I have done #6 twice.

I bought a Craftsman 11mm I believe, long socket that fit right over the top. Jim

[JimSmith]

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

What happens if a mechanic or (better yet) the dealer snaps a glow plug? Do they have special tools to extract the stub, do they eat the cost of pulling the head, or do they call you and say "Mr. Jones, you have a problem?"

Jeremy

You get the phone call. Jim

[Matt L]

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

What happens if a mechanic or (better yet) the dealer snaps a glow plug? Do they have special tools to extract the stub, do they eat the cost of pulling the head, or do they call you and say "Mr. Jones, you have a problem?"

Jeremy

There is a tool kit to extract the broken glow plug. If the dealer works on enough 606s, they may have it. It's too expensive to buy one for home use.

[nhdoc]

Seems silly to leave a dead plug in there...don't know for sure but you should be able to get a socket onto it without too much trouble...worst case use a box wrench to get it out...I certainly wouldn't leave it in there knowing it wasn't working.

[JimSmith]

Originally Posted by nhdoc

Seems silly to leave a dead plug in there...don't know for sure but you should be able to get a socket onto it without too much trouble...worst case use a box wrench to get it out...I certainly wouldn't leave it in there knowing it wasn't working.

Not without giving it at least a try. Not clear on the obstruction from the oil filter housing. I had some issues with fuel lines and broke a tie-wrap like clip which I replaced with a real tie-wrap, but no oil filter obstructions. Jim