Hi all.....

Thanks to the help of all the great info on this forum, I set out to swap out all of the glow plugs on my 84 300SD. They are all changed out to the new Bosch plugs except for the last one -- the fifth cylinder, the one closest to the firewall. This one is a huge PITA and I really don't see how any of you got it out or back in. I did a search for "5th cylinder glow plug fun" and such with no luck.

Do any of y'all have any tips for that last and final glow plug? Right now I'm thinking that the only way is to remove the oil filter and coolant hose connection.

BTW -- I have removed/loosened all of the injection lines to move them out of the way a little. That helped with the other four but I'm stumped with the fifth one.

Thanks in advance,
.....Dan

__________________
99 e300
98 e300
90 Suburban 1500 4x4
92 ZR-1
04 Tahoe 4x4
05 Scag 52" zero turn
97 e300 - totaled on black ice
84 300SD - gave to a friend
85 300TDT Euro - SOLD to my little bro

it's really not that hard. I do it in 5 minutes with the injector lines on. take an extension and #8 with a wobble and take off the power going to it. hold the wire so it won't break inside the plug because of turning it. then take a gear wrench #12 and put it on the plug. curse some (if you have the lines still on) scrape the back of your hand and take it of. you can extend your wrench with another wrench if it' s seized.
you can do it!

I do it with a couple of open-end wrenches and the fuel lines in place, it's not that hard.

open end works good for a well maintained machine, with glow plugs that have some aluminium grease on them

Can you elaborate on what your problem is? I have not found the 5th plug to be the hardest. I typically use gearwrenches for them but an open end/box end should work fine.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Sears is pushing some ratcheting wrenches with hinged ends this holiday season.

Looks like they would be ideal for this job.

I think I will tell Santa what a good boy I've been. Maybe he will bring me a set.



Oh, wait, I forgot!!! I'm Santa.....

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I just changed mine recently, while doing the turbo and valve stems, injectors etc. I had my injector lines off. I don't recall the heater supply hose coming out of the block blocking the GP. "IF" I am correct, then maybe someone stuck the wrong hose on there?

__________________
1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

It does block the glow plug when its in position, but you can pull it out of the way enough to work on the glow plug pretty easily.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

A 12mm ratchet wrench is a huge benefit when doing glowplugs.

Remember, do not bend the injection lines.

When I did the SD GP's:

I did not remove any fuel lines.

I did use gear wrenches.

I did move the heater hose out of the way.

I did remove a clip and loosen the throttle linkage from the firewall, moving it out of the way.

I did cramp up.

I did lose a gear wrench.

I did buy another gear wrench.

It shook it self out a few days later, found it on the garage floor, I now have two 8mm's.

Getting the new GP in, patience.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

It sure is, I used one and it speeds up the process enormously!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Guess I'm the only one that pulls the IP lines, my hands simply are unable to fit easily in that area. It takes me all of five minutes to save VAST amounts of aggravation and blood.

__________________
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]

17 mm open end wrench will take off the injection lines, take them off and the world will seem to be a better place.

__________________
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

a little tip I picked up on this site... put the nuts on the glow plugs first, then put the glow plugs in the head. now clip the end of the loop connector on the wire for the plug and press the wire in, and tighten up the nuts!

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

How's that work out for you with eyelet connectors???