and now....glowplugs...

[Smoker]

With the valves all nicely set and golden cooling juice and all the other maintenance caught up to date, had the first cold morning and discovered I've got GP issues.

Compression is decent on this engine (highest 370, lowest 354), and it was able to start on the third try. Glow plug light in cabin didn't come on with first key turn, did with second and motor spun but didn't fire. Did three turn on's with glow, then waited a few seconds and spun the engine again, it thought about starting but didn't.

Let it glow again and spun and it caught after about 10 seconds (I don't like running a starter that long).

Reamer and glow plugs are in the stack of parts waiting to go in, I guess it's moved up on the to-do list. Will test the old ones for grins and possible emergency spares....

[SD Blue]

I went ahead and changed all of mine at once and kept the old ones as a spare. This hopefully averted the possibility of having to change the plugs in a parking lot somewhere. Check the old ones for carbon build-up. If it is noticable, you may want to ream the holes. I used a drill bit, with a dab of grease, sized to insert without damaging any threads. (go easy)

BTW, I can't imagine it being cold enough, at this time of year, to have trouble starting from low temps. Actually, I'm jealous.

[Smoker]

It was 58f this AM. Not cold, but cold enough that it would like the GPs. I've had it a couple weeks now, been starting right up at 75 - 80f ambient, guess 58f was pushing it.

I've got the reamer, bought the whole kit from that famous online place.

-e

Originally Posted by SD Blue

I went ahead and changed all of mine at once and kept the old ones as a spare. This hopefully averted the possibility of having to change the plugs in a parking lot somewhere. Check the old ones for carbon build-up. If it is noticable, you may want to ream the holes. I used a drill bit, with a dab of grease, sized to insert without damaging any threads. (go easy)

BTW, I can't imagine it being cold enough, at this time of year, to have trouble starting from low temps. Actually, I'm jealous.

[SD Blue]

Sounds like your ahead of the game. Do you have one of those ratcheting wrenches? It certainly will make removal of the glow plugs much easier. It has been a while since I did this task but IIRC even a 1/4" socket with wobble extension was tedious. Maybe I was paranoid of breaking one of them off.

[kerry]

Don't worry about the starter. MB is specific that in very cold weather you should keep running the starter until it fires, it's designed for those kinds of loads. In fact, in very cold weather you really only get one chance to start it so my policy is to keep the starter running until it either starts or the battery is dead.

[cooljjay]

Yes that is implied to good new starters.....trying there recommended starting practice on a 30 year old starter and you'll put a dagger in the heart of it.....most starters by now are packed with old carbon, hard grease and the brushes are worn down to nubs......extended cranking will take out the starter and a few lucky people will take the battery out with it....

Also make sure you are replacing the plugs with Bosch plugs....that famous online store.....likes to sell monark plugs because they are cheaper but they are garbage....

[Smoker]

See now I'm feelin like I need to send a note to Coolijay before I buy anything .

That famous online place does sell monark glows. I have a couple of new bosch's that are in the carry along tool bag, dunno if I should just get 3 more and stick the monarks in the spares bag or try 'em out and see if they die as quick as expected.

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Yes that is implied to good new starters.....trying there recommended starting practice on a 30 year old starter and you'll put a dagger in the heart of it.....most starters by now are packed with old carbon, hard grease and the brushes are worn down to nubs......extended cranking will take out the starter and a few lucky people will take the battery out with it....

Also make sure you are replacing the plugs with Bosch plugs....that famous online store.....likes to sell monark plugs because they are cheaper but they are garbage....

[kerry]

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Yes that is implied to good new starters.....trying there recommended starting practice on a 30 year old starter and you'll put a dagger in the heart of it.....most starters by now are packed with old carbon, hard grease and the brushes are worn down to nubs......extended cranking will take out the starter and a few lucky people will take the battery out with it....

Not my experience at all.

[cooljjay]

Originally Posted by kerry

Not my experience at all.

Yes I am well well and even more well aware that a starter is a part that will many many lifetimes because Mercedes engineered them with unicorn horns and magic pixie dust.....

But own personal experience, I have had 3 starts die on me....this last one died from cranking and overheating to the point it bubbled the paint off the starter and killed my battery that was less then 8 months old....

Though everyone has there own opinion on starters and coolant....bringing this up....is like debating the existence of god.....sooner then later it gets violent...

Originally Posted by Smoker

See now I'm feelin like I need to send a note to Coolijay before I buy anything .

That famous online place does sell monark glows. I have a couple of new bosch's that are in the carry along tool bag, dunno if I should just get 3 more and stick the monarks in the spares bag or try 'em out and see if they die as quick as expected.

Yes you should

Don't use them, there are horror story's posted on here about the ends breaking off the and even swelling up....causing you to not be able to remove the plug.....I have never tried them, and I don't know if I would even want to try them in an emergency...

[Smoker]

I'll have a full set of Bosch's here Wednesday, just ride the bike a couple of days until they come in. I don't like pushing the starter even if it is built to take it, the damn thing is too heavy for me to be changing out. I gotta do one of the starters on my searay and I'm puttin it off, just play click click until the solenoid plays. Fricking heavy and in a nasty place.....sorta like the benz.

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Yes you should

Don't use them, there are horror story's posted on here about the ends breaking off the and even swelling up....causing you to not be able to remove the plug.....I have never tried them, and I don't know if I would even want to try them in an emergency...

[cooljjay]

Originally Posted by Smoker

I'll have a full set of Bosch's here Wednesday, just ride the bike a couple of days until they come in. I don't like pushing the starter even if it is built to take it, the damn thing is too heavy for me to be changing out. I gotta do one of the starters on my searay and I'm puttin it off, just play click click until the solenoid plays. Fricking heavy and in a nasty place.....sorta like the benz.

Good going....yeh they aren't lite.....I still remember the look on everyone's face when I got a replacement start.....they were like, that's a starter.....even the guys behind the counter couldn't believe the size.....I thought people were going to want to take photos with it

And they are hard to lift in there....mine feel out once....I was crap, I hope it didn't do anything to it.....then I put a thick piece of carpet under the car in case it fell again....

One good thing on these cars, everything is easy and unusually cheap but its a pita to replace a lot of little things....

[tyl604]

I pretty much agree with Kerry. I have the original starter in my 81 SD. About ten years ago before I figured out that the reserve fuel light did not work exactly right, I ran out of fuel three or four times. Put in a gallon of diesel each time and cranked it maybe 2-3 minutes straight before it primed and cranked; never hurt the starter.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by kerry

Don't worry about the starter. MB is specific that in very cold weather you should keep running the starter until it fires, it's designed for those kinds of loads. In fact, in very cold weather you really only get one chance to start it so my policy is to keep the starter running until it either starts or the battery is dead.

Up to sixty seconds, but if you push the time limit you must wait fifteen minutes before trying again or risk cooking the starter..


.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by SD Blue

I went ahead and changed all of mine at once and kept the old ones as a spare. This hopefully averted the possibility of having to change the plugs in a parking lot somewhere. Check the old ones for carbon build-up. If it is noticeable, you may want to ream the holes. I used a drill bit, with a dab of grease, sized to insert without damaging any threads. (go easy)

BTW, I can't imagine it being cold enough, at this time of year, to have trouble starting from low temps. Actually, I'm jealous.

This is how I recommend everyone handle this DIY.

.

[Smoker]

Yup...have reamer, brush, and tomorrow 5 new bosch plugs will be in my hands.

Hasn't taken more then 10 seconds to start it, but at 58f I'd not expect it to be too hard.

Just one of the many adventures in making the car as close to good as new as I can. I'm running out of play time as wife wants me back on her rustang restoration project .

Originally Posted by whunter

This is how I recommend everyone handle this DIY.

.