Hi I am new to this forum. Recently acquired 1983 300 SD. I have read a lot of good posts on this forum and started a recovery project on this sleeping beauty. Glow plug light never came on when starting the car, so I ordered new ones and tried to replace them. In the process 2 of the glow plugs are giving me trouble. They keep spinning as I try to unscrew them. Does anyone here have suggestions how to get them out? Thanks

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1983 300SD - 165K unknown
1980 300TD - 221K

Pull and rotate. Most likely the plugs are bound up with carbon. Reaming the ports is essential before installing new plugs.

Perhaps they have mushroomed at the tip, carefully try further extraction.

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83 SD

84 CD

thanks for the info. I will try again. I do not have access to a glow plug reamer, do you know if anyone still rents it here?

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1983 300SD - 165K unknown
1980 300TD - 221K

Did you actually get the plugs unthreaded some or did they spin from the start? I had #5 on my '99 that was tight and once clear of the threads would just spin. I soaked it periodically with penetrating oil and grabbed on with some vise grips after I had VERIFIED that I was clear of the threads. Twist and pull. It was filthy but came out easy.

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

Buy only Bosch or Beru Glow Plugs the other makes do not hold up well.

I had Autolite Glow Plugs in Mine and in 6 months use 2 of the tips swelled up enough I had difficulty getting them out.

Also it is unusual for the type of Engine you have to have that type of problems with the Glow Pluts.
If possible spray Penatrating Oil so it can soak past the Threads and get into the Carbon.

When you want to barrow stuff it is helpful top post your City and State.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I did finally get them out. It took a some effort, but now it is done. I did put 5 new bosh glow plugs. The ones that were in the car were probably those problematic Autolite plugs. I did not get a glow plug reamer this time so the carbon deposits are probably still there. I have to take them out once I get a hold of a reamer. Car starts the first time around, but the glow plug light is there intermittently. I have to do some more research around that. Thanks to all for your help.

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1983 300SD - 165K unknown
1980 300TD - 221K

Check to see that the Strip Fuse on the Glow Plug Raly is not cracked and that the Screws are snug.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel