Do the 123's from 84-85 use the same glow plugs as the 124-87 300D???
How can I test the glow plugs with a volt meter??? thanks Jim

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James A. Harris

Same style. Not sure they are exactly the same but I think testing is the same. Use an ohmeter. Go from the threaded electrical connector end of the plug to ground. Should read less than 1 ohm on each plug. Each plug should get 12 volts when key is in the glow position.
Go to www.dieselgiant.com for more details on testing the glow system.

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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

I doubt that they are the same -- the OM61x engines use a steel (cast iron) head while the OM60x engines have an alloy (aluminum) head. The threaded lengths are likely to be different. I've never pulled a glow plug from my '85 300D so I can't be sure. You can look up the part numbers in EPC and that will tell you.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Wow, you've never pulled a glowplug on the w123, lucky man! I agree, though the electrical testing will be exactly the same, like with all pencil style plugs, but the length, thread etc. and part number will most definitely be different.

Went to my farovite parts site and the 87 300D uses Bosch 80006 Glow Plugs the same as the 81-85 300Ds

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Where do I test for 12 volts while the glow plugs are cycled// thanks Jim

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James A. Harris

on the glow plug where the wire connects is a good place to test while the GP is on.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

You test at the relay, which has numbered holes for each glowplug and you test at each glowplug where the wire connects. You need to test both to make sure your relay is good and to make sure each wire to the glowplugs is still solid. next you need to set your tester to ohms and test each plug to make sure it isn;t fried. again check dieselgiant.com for a good set of instructions.

Positive on the wire and negative on a ground... thank you

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James A. Harris

Since March 2006, November 2006, and November 2007 (purchase dates of our three MB diesels), I have replaced three glow plugs and the mechanic has replaced one (W123-none, W124-2, W210-2). The secret is in keeping the valve covers polished. Wife and I don't drive as much as we used to -- that helps (roughly 60,000 miles total on the three vehicles)

I have no idea how long glow plugs are supposed to last -- has anyone ever done a poll?

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Drove the '68 220D for twenty years, from Dec 70 to sometime in 1990 or 91 and never changed any of those plugs. Of course they were the loopers, but they lasted that long on a Daily Driver. Have driven the current 300D since late summer of 2002, and again never changed a plug. This one has not been driven as much, but until this past fall it was driven minimum of a couple times a week and often way more than that.

Our climate probably contributes some to the longevity, as the summer duty is pretty light. However it is glowed on every start to lighten the load on the starter.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

I always glow mine, even if it is 100 out , and I just drove it 80 mi, and had it shut off for 5 min . . . light only stays on forn 2-5 sec, but . . . I'm use to waiting anyways!

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82 240D Manual 277K and still rolling!
02 Volvo S60 AWD For Sale

GLow plug life is related how well the Fuel is burning in your Pre-Combustion/combustion chamber.
Worn Injector Nozzles, late Camshaft and Fuel Injection Pump Timing and so on.
There there is the type of driving that you do.

Is it possible that low outside temps also shorten the Glow Plug life? I have never owned a Diesel where it was cold so do not know.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel