can you start a 2.5L without glow plugs on a hot day? I think that would save on glow plugs. Right now all I have to do is bump the key and it's started. My GMC 6.5 requires at least 5 to 6 seconds of cranking before it catches hot or cold.

__________________
1993 MB 300D 245K died.

If you're currently doing it, then isn't the answer yes?

I don't use the glow plugs on my 200TD this time of year.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

my glos haven't been working in 7 yrs, if its winter I use the bloch heater

nope, I still wait for the lamp to go out. but I'm going to give it a try and let you guys know

__________________
1993 MB 300D 245K died.

Theoretically you should always use the plugs. It puts the least strain on the starter that way. Glow plugs are cheap and easy (relatively speaking) starters aren't.... But that's just my 2 cents

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

My 617 really likes to get glowed. If I do it fires right up. If it's really warm it will start w/o but as a race truck that's only after the run.

My Dodge, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care if it glows or not. Sometimes in the winter (like, 32*F around here) it generally fires up w/o a glow so I often forget to do so.

Dan

I agree 100%

I could even start my 350SDL w/o glow plugs but I needed to have a well-charged battery and an engine warmed by the block heater or it would not work.

That's because all the GPs went out after a while, and nI didn't get around to changing them. Now that's a summer project, lol.


My 2 x 6.2L engines fire up when glowed. Without, it's a strain.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

the strangest way I heard of to start a CAT was to wrap a rag around a stick, soak it in some flammable liquid, set it on fire and hold it over the intake and let it suck some fire in to start it. Safer than an ether start I guess

__________________
1993 MB 300D 245K died.

The bigger diesels don't need glows. The cummins (at least mine) doesn't have glows but has a intake air heater I believe. Unless its really cold it does not seem to care much if you use the glows. I always use them on the little benz diesels. They always seem to labor without good glow action.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The 124 2.5t requires lifting the engine a few inches to remove the starter about a 4-5 hour job. Changing glow plugs is about 2.5 hours without cleaning the intake. I favor let it work like designed.

__________________
92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

5 Hours to change a starter?!?!?! I'm getting the kids to push start this bastard

__________________
1993 MB 300D 245K died.

My 80 240D hardly needs much of a glow to start in the morning, and the rest of the day, she kicks right over.

The 300D was another story, she needs a full glow to get her going in the morning, and then she requires it anytime later on during the day.

Now the 86 F250 6.9, needs a glow in the morning, but the rest of the day none is really required. Barely hit the Key and she fires.
This past winter was another story, had to stick a heat gun down the Intake to get her to belch smoke, rattle and bang to life.
have one wire rusted off the GP and maybe another not working.
Have the new Motor Craft Plugs, but so rusty at the threads, makes me a bit nervous to start twisting.


Now my Datsun Diesel needs a full glow no matter how warm she is. Been like that since new.
Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

My buddy has a 7.3 Ford?Navistar and he has to glow for every start, even with a warm engine in the heat of summer. I guess some engines need it a lot, some a little, and some rarely. I wonder if it's a function of combustion chamber design, fuel delivery, or ??

Interesting that Charlie's 240D fires right up but the 300D (seemingly the same engine + 1 cylinder) needs it all the time. Is it variable from engine to engine of inherent in certain configurations?

Head scratching.......

Dan

Cylinder condition... 450 psi compression will fire up without plugs... 200 psi, not so much...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I recommend to use the glow plugs for the cost reasons already pointed out, AND because the more cranking with fuel injecting but no firing results in more soot formation and oil contamination, which aren't going to help the engine in the long run.

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC