My glow plug light quit coming on the other day. I have a couple of new glow plugs at the house and some time tonight. Will it hurt anything to just put them in or is it imperative to ream out the holes with that reamer that diesel911 sells? I plan on getting it soon, but just didn't want to keep starting the car without the plugs working.

__________________

"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

you can use a regular drill bit and do it by hand.

as long as you are not incredibly forceful... nothing will be damaged.

Determine the size to be used by matching it up with a glowplug.

To remove the carbon once you are done reaming:
Cycle the engine by the starter while the glowplugs are out and apply vacuum to the shutoff mechanism

__________________

sorry,

I did not answer your question, really.


From what others have said and my own inferences; you can put the plugs in without reaming... but the lifecycle of the plugs will probably be shortened.

It really depends on how bad the buildup is.

__________________

I'm not sure if it's 'imperative' but I'm fairly certain that it's helpful - others can chime in. I'd at least try to use a simple drill bit BY HAND with a bit of wheel bearing grease on the end - you will feel it crunching through it as you spin it by hand into the hole - be careful.

If you just don't wanna do it - I'm sure you can just put them in 'as-is' but like others told you they just won't be as effective.

Also, I would check the fuse for the glow plugs as well as the connections - check continuity of the whole circuit as well as individual resistance of each of the plugs....

Good luck -
James

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

There is some alternative glow methonds to cleaning the glow plug holes decussed in some of the threads.
The Factory Made Glow Plug Reamer Bit is 7mm in diameter.

Before I had a Reamer I changed my Glow Plugs. When I got the Reamer I went back and removed the Glow Plugs and reamed them clean.
Not cleaning the Glow Plug Holes will not kill your Glow Plugs fast it is something that takes place over a matter of years.
How much Carbon develops in your Prechamber is partly due to how you drive the car. Members who drive a lot on what we call the Freeway for like an hour drive dialy report not much Carbon to Ream out.
My Car does not go much beyond 10 miles and is seldom on the Freeway.
The pic below represents about 2 years of the above city driving.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

OK cool. I'll try putting in a couple of new plugs then ream them out once I get that reamer. Is it hurting my engine to not have it pre-glow properly?

__________________

"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD

Certainly not good to have any unburned Fuel or partially burned Fuel in your Engine if your Engine.
But, if it is not cold and your Engine starts up fast the above will have little effect on anything.

On the other hand if you have an Engine that is hard starting and needs a lot of Cranking to get started you could end up with some raw Fuel in the Cylinders. Not good for lubrication; even though Diesel lubes batter than Gasoline.

So it is a judgement call on your part.

Due to the cold temps making it difficult to work out side and/or no plasce to work on they Car I have read of members waiting until winter is over to change out their Glow plugs. As long as they were able to get their Engine started.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

When it starts, it normally turns right over. But sometimes it takes two or three tries to get it to do that. Even after it's been running awhile.

__________________

"Gerwalt" 1984 - 300TD