As the title says..... I have gone through four glow plugs in the last three months. They have all gone out on different cylinders (first #5, then #1, then #4 and today #3). They all looked to be the original glow plugs, however I kind of doubt it as the car IS 29 years old with 255K on the clock, but I have extensive service records for the car and no mention of glow plugs ever being changed.

Just wonder if it is something to be concerned about, or if it is just time for them to give up the ghost. I suppose #2 will be going out soon.....

And before anyone says I should just change all five at once and be done with it, No, I'll change them as they go bad, as I have a really hard time changing something that still works.

Glenn

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Did you use a GP reamer to clear out the carbon?

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

If youve never changed them, I would. Its regular maintenance on these engines. They were all changed at one point and are or have failed due to age. Stick with bosch or beru plugs.

Yes, reamed and carbon cleaned out. All the new glow plugs are Bosch. I learned the hard way from my TDI that Bosch makes the best glow plugs!! Guess they are just due.

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Just to be sure, make sure your GP relay isn't sticking. If your relay is stuck on it will cook the plugs (and your battery).

I also cooked a couple GPs right after I got the car while doing electrical troubleshooting with the key in position II. I did not know what after glow was, I thought the plugs de-energized when the dash light turns off (they don't, they continue to run afterward).

Now whenever doing anything on the electrical that involves having the switch in II with the engine not running I unplug the GP relay 4-pin connector.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

See the Text in the Pic.

What BERU has to say:
Diagnostic Aid for Glow Plugs: The heater element reveals much! | BorgWarner BERU Systems GmbH

The above site talks a lot about deformed Heater Elements but most plugs just are simply dead without visable isues/symptoms.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel