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  #1  
Old 02-03-2010, 07:03 PM
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Should I preemptively ream my glow plug holes?

I have never done it and I don't know whether or not the plugs are original. They seem to work fine, but I want to know whether or not it's a good idea to ream the holes now so when I do need to replace them I won't have any problems. Or is this a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it situation"? It would suck if I ended up breaking one or something.

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  #2  
Old 02-03-2010, 07:36 PM
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I never have on any of ours....and don't plan to....
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  #3  
Old 02-03-2010, 08:00 PM
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Reaming is not a scheduled maintenance item, you only do it if you have to. If you have to, you bet find out why you have to.
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  #4  
Old 02-03-2010, 08:13 PM
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I just replace them. Pretty easy job. Why make it complicated and add to the possibility of screwing something up?
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  #5  
Old 02-03-2010, 08:29 PM
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It depends, reaming will usually improve, startup, fuel (mpg), and loingevity of glow plugs.Do you need or want an improvement in any of these areas?
Bosh or Beru, stay away from other brands.
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  #6  
Old 02-03-2010, 08:53 PM
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Reaming increased the cold weather starting ability of my W116.
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Old 02-03-2010, 08:55 PM
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I ream them every time I have the plugs out. Its so easy, why not?
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  #8  
Old 02-03-2010, 08:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbomachines View Post
I ream them every time I have the plugs out. Its so easy, why not?

Glow Plug Reamer broke off in hole!!
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  #9  
Old 02-03-2010, 09:28 PM
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I would not do it unless the glow plug is prone to stuck in the head like newer MBZ. IMHO, mpg, cold start improvements are all in the mind.
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  #10  
Old 02-03-2010, 09:44 PM
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  #11  
Old 02-03-2010, 10:22 PM
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yeah, ream when you replace the plugs.
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  #12  
Old 02-03-2010, 10:33 PM
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Be Careful

If you ream the holes, don't force the tool into the hole.
The hole behind the oil filter #5 on my 617 was fairly crusty.
I had a hard time getting the tool in and tried to force it in.
The tip broke off inside and I had a hard time getting it out.
I have pictures of it somewhere in this forum.

If I was to do it over again, I would have left it alone.
I wonder if I got all the bits out.
On the other hand, it was so encrusted, it probably needed it.

My 2 cents,
Jeff
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  #13  
Old 02-04-2010, 12:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snookwhaler View Post

Quote from the Thread: "While reaming out a crusty glow plug hole, I forced the tool
too much and 1/4 inch broke off the end and is stuck in the hole."

This does not sound like somthing that is going to happen to most folks when they Ream the holes on their Glow Plugs.

The type of Engine and Glow Plug setup that the Origional Poster has does not have a extensive history of Glow Plugs getting stuck as the later models with the longer Glow Plugs and Aluminum Cylinder Heads do.

I think if I was in the Origional Posters situation I would pull one easy to get at Glow Plug and see if it comes out easily. And, if I had a Reamer I would go ahead and Ream that one hole to see how how much Carbon comes out.
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  #14  
Old 02-04-2010, 05:10 AM
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YES

Quote:
Originally Posted by JEBalles View Post
I have never done it and I don't know whether or not the plugs are original. They seem to work fine, but I want to know whether or not it's a good idea to ream the holes now so when I do need to replace them I won't have any problems. Or is this a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it situation"? It would suck if I ended up breaking one or something.
Failure to use a glow plug reamer can cause premature electrode failure.


Glow plugs link thread
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/137732-glow-plugs-link-thread.html#post1019018




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  #15  
Old 02-04-2010, 07:33 AM
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I reamered out mine. I could feel the carbon around the GPs. I wasn't replacing the GPs at that time. I had done a lot of engine work. I wanted to replace the electrical connectors on the wiring and make sure the GPs were torqued properly. There was a bit of carbon reamered out.
I did have some problems with the GP systems a few months ago. The GP light wasn't coming on, and not starting easily. The system checked out good with the Ohm meter. I had to take out each GP and test it with a battery charger. The #1 was bad. The rest glowed with current to them. I put the new one in the #3 cylinder, as it was the hardest to get to and torque. The car started up normally, after that. I did ream the ports again, but not much carbon this time.
Tom

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