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  #1  
Old 01-18-2008, 07:52 AM
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350SDL glow plug replacement without air manifold removal

when you go to replace glow plugs in 350SDL, I came across a mechanic who said he could do it without removing air intake manifold. It looks impossible. Has anyone out there done it without removal of manifold and if so how?

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  #2  
Old 01-18-2008, 08:22 AM
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I have changed glow plugs on a W124 with a 603 engine. I can not image that trying to change the glow plugs with the intake in place is worth it. It takes relatively little time to remove it. Comparing glow plug replacement on a 606 verses a 603 I think that the worst thing on the 603 is all of the little brackets that are attached with the manifold. When the 606 was designed all of the was removed. Also, when you remove the intake you can clean it out.

Purchase the glow plugs and manifold gasket, drive to Ohio, and I will replace them for you and you can watch.
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  #3  
Old 01-18-2008, 09:57 AM
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A few months ago one of the members said also did it without removing the intake manifold. But, he is the only one I have read to do so. (From what I have read.) This is one of the models of engines that more frequently has stuck or difficult to remove (hex heads breaking off) glow plugs. It is also written that one of the keys to removing a stuck glow plug without breaking it off is good alignement of the wrench to the glow plug. All of the indicates that your chances of removing the glow plugs with no problems are greatly increased with the manifold off (at least for the first time you pull them). Also if you needed to apply heat with a torch to the glow plug you could not do this with the manifold on. It is also recommended that you run the eingine up to operating temp before you try to remove the glow plugs. Do you want to squeeze your arm between the hot engine and the manifold?
After you re-install the glow plugs with some type of Never-seez; next time you could try it without removing the intake manifold and see if it is possible for you.
We had this skinney guy where I worked who could do jobs in tight places faster/more easily than the rest of us could. It also depends on your dexterity.
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  #4  
Old 01-18-2008, 10:00 AM
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I've done it once on all 6 plugs. It was an SOB of a job. I've never removed the manifold, but it may be faster to do in total time with the manifold removed.
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  #5  
Old 01-18-2008, 10:11 AM
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manifold not too bad

Removing the manifold isn't too bad and makes the glow plugs much easier. Take a few pictures of the fuel line routing and all the connectors / clips. You may want to pick up a few replacements. Get a hex socket and T-handle wrench with the ball shaped ends. Some of the bolts are very close to the intake runners and it is difficult to get the hex in square. The ball end allows to turn them with the wrench at an angle. You will need a new intake to head gasket also.

When/if you have the manifold off it can be a good time to de-gunk it. I got some spray "intake manifold cleaner" - the can looked like carb cleaner but said it was for intakes. I probably got 80-90% of the crud out in 30 minutes of spraying.

Chuck
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  #6  
Old 01-18-2008, 10:25 AM
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I have done it without removing the manifold. You need a number of socket extensions u-joints and flex extenders and much, much patience, putting yourself into a zen trance would help. It can be done, but I would agree with the above, it's got to be easier to remove the manifold.
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  #7  
Old 01-18-2008, 12:12 PM
MPH MPH is offline
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350 SDL glow plug removal

I did it without removing the manifold on all 6 glow plugs. Patience and 1/4 in drive flex plus extensions. It took me approx 40 minutes from start to completion.
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  #8  
Old 01-18-2008, 10:22 PM
Wayne
 
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Location: Rockport, TX
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I'm in the process of replacing the Delivery Valve seals and fuel lines on my S350D. I can't see replacing GP's without pulling the Intake. With everything installed, they're really hard to even see, let alone get at. It takes about 30 minutes to get the manifold off and then they're right there. You don't have to hold your mouth just right or anything. And you can clean all the coke out of the manifold. MB attached everything they could to that manifold, take a couple pictures so you know where it all goes.

Wayne
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  #9  
Old 01-19-2008, 12:08 AM
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I think its an urban legend, but some people swear they have done it.

Yanking the manifold really isn't that hard, and its a good time to tank it to clean all the EGR tar out.
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  #10  
Old 01-19-2008, 01:07 AM
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Before you pull the manifold, pull the cruise actuator and see if you can get to the front plugs that way. The rear plugs will be even easier to replace than with only the manifold off.

Getting the throttle linkage ball and sockets to connect again is the PITA doing it this way.

Sixto
87 300D
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  #11  
Old 10-11-2008, 06:29 PM
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My number 2 and number 4 glow plugs were the only two that were completely dead. #2 is 300K Ohms, #4 is Infinity.

I figured I would start there and then work to the others.

Number 2 only took 1/2 hour with 1/4 drive socket, extensions, and u-joints. I also used a magnet on a stick to guide the socket onto the nut.

10mm short socket for the wire connector. 12mm deep socket for the glow plug.

I finally got the 10mm socket on the #4 GP connector, but it got bound on the throttle linkage while I was trying to take it off. When I was trying to remove the socket, it popped off and fell down into the engine bay. I cannot find it.

I even tried taking off the pans to see if it ended up in there.

I gave up at just one glow plug.

While I had the pans off I went ahead and installed the wire for the block heater. If nothing else I can heat the block to make for easier starts at home.

Maybe I'll change the others I can get at to help with start and minimize the effect of one dead glow plug.

-Jim
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  #12  
Old 10-11-2008, 11:43 PM
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I did it with the Manifold in place. No problem.
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  #13  
Old 10-12-2008, 10:17 AM
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Zero
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jadavis View Post
My number 2 and number 4 glow plugs were the only two that were completely dead. #2 is 300K Ohms, #4 is Infinity.

I figured I would start there and then work to the others.

Number 2 only took 1/2 hour with 1/4 drive socket, extensions, and u-joints. I also used a magnet on a stick to guide the socket onto the nut.

10mm short socket for the wire connector. 12mm deep socket for the glow plug.

I finally got the 10mm socket on the #4 GP connector, but it got bound on the throttle linkage while I was trying to take it off. When I was trying to remove the socket, it popped off and fell down into the engine bay. I cannot find it.

I even tried taking off the pans to see if it ended up in there.

I gave up at just one glow plug.

While I had the pans off I went ahead and installed the wire for the block heater. If nothing else I can heat the block to make for easier starts at home.

Maybe I'll change the others I can get at to help with start and minimize the effect of one dead glow plug.

-Jim
Or just yank the manifold and replace them, its really not that hard.
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  #14  
Old 10-12-2008, 02:48 PM
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I did my 300 SDL without taking the manifold or the IP lines off. It was a PITA, but it is very possible. I used a 1/4" drive set with various extensions, and a flex end, as well as a really long set of needle nose pliers. I didn't have the money for the gasket for the intake manifold, so I had to improvise. Time was worth less than money in that case.

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