How often do you change glow plugs? 1999 E300 Turbo diesel - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ciscoholmes · #31 10-31-2002, 10:23 AM

LightMan

Good looking picture. That a Turbo E300D. The only access to the plugs is to remove the intake manifold. The gasket will cost about $25 + Plugs. When i did my research on mine, there is a torque pattern and ft-lb torque of the bolts you will need to follow to avoid leaks or binding. I can not remember it, but if someone know, please share. In the end, I wish I had taken off the intake manifold, because it was a snake job with mine. The 95 thru 97 manifold have opening in the pipes. I had a hard time with the plug around the oil filter housing, but your looks more like a "E320" filter housing and access may be better.

A watch out maybe, and I can not be for sure on this, but my fuel line to the fuel filter and injector unit were quick disconnects with o-rings for seal. If you bump or hit the fuel line much they will leak. If they leak, do not just replace o-rings, it will more then like not seal. Replace with new hoses. They cost from $8 to $20, and there are 3 or 4 of them. Good Luck and save yourself $800.

One other thing, in reguards to screwdriver and carbon. Slowly screw the device in the hole as if to drill out the carbon build up. Don't poke, as a big peice may break off. The carbon fines and dust will be exhausted on startup. Once you look into the removed intake manifold, you will be surprised at the soot build up and large particles that do let go an enter the cylinder head.

Diesel-Lover · #32 10-31-2002, 11:52 AM

Hey Mr. Ciscoholmes,

Thanks for the headsup. So far no funny noises, but will keep a look out or perhaps just do the rep on the vac pump. On the ac evap what gives? That is a very steep price, any prev maint I can do to prevent. My ac is moody some days its colder than an artic wind but other days it is luke warm! cant fig out why wonder if its humidity?

So far she "Sedona" runs like a top 160Kish with minimal maint. Will be needing the big long muffler type thing under soon I gather as has to pull/brake a big chunk of multi layered metal off it. Its still quiet though!

Have that budgeted for spring, may do the vac pump then as well. I dunna at times feel like upgrading to the 98-99 E300D but kinda like the looks of the 95. I rode in the back seat of a 99 E 320 (i think)in scottsdale but the road noise was way too much. My 95 was much quieter on the same road. My friend with the 99 couldn't believe it, he was going to get his zbart sprayed for noise after that.

Welll gotta run, will keep my eyes open for a manual/cd or a trade up idunno, if I come across one will let you know.

william rogers · #33 11-01-2002, 07:55 PM

Be very carefull to do any work on any Mercedes Benze today as the chuppacabra's are out and about and might make our efforts to make our mighty cars run forever a pastime to their whim's........
William Rogers.........

P.E.Haiges · #34 11-02-2002, 09:41 PM

How often do I change glow plugs(GP)? When they go bad and then of course only the bad one. The best test of GP is how easy the engine starts. If it starts easily when cold, there is nothing wrong with the GP. MY '80 300SD (240,000+ miles) started instantly this morning at 33F. Some of the GP may be original, I replaced 2 in last 12 years.

I think it would be a good idea to remove the GP from the aluminum head engines and coat them with anti-sieze compound and reinstall them. I had problems with sparkplugs in the aluminum head of my 6.3 liter 300SEL and had to install heli-coils when the aluminum threads stripped. Seems to me that MB should have installed steel inserts for the spark plugs and GP in aluminum heads.

I keep a spare GP in glove box. But even if I didn't replace the bad GP immediately, the engine would only miss on one cylinder for a few seconds after starting. Big deal.

Just got back from Vegas and Phoenix today, 6315 miles round trip. Total maintenance: oil change and tighten fan belts. Total repairs: none.

When I see the repair costs and difficulty on the newer MB Diesels, I'm don't feel at all bad that I have on old one. Its going into hibernation for the winter soon and next spring I will have a virtually new car with no payments or loans.

P E H

Rick Miley · #35 11-04-2002, 11:19 AM

Andrew,

I have the same car - a 99 E300, but mine has double the miles of yours. I had the glow plugs replaced under warranty at 40,000 miles. Then, at 76,000, I just had one go bad. The dealer replaced them all again, but they are NOT COVERED under the extended warranty. It seems that Mercedes policy is to replace them all, not just the bad one. Total charge for the job was $546, including the 10% Mercedes club discount. BTW, this service also included cleaning the EGR/PCV gunk out of the intake.

If your engine has trouble starting, at 38,000 miles I suggest you take it to the dealer to repair under the factory warranty.

Finally, I don't check the board that often, so feel free to email me directly if you have more questions.

P.E.Haiges · #36 11-05-2002, 12:12 PM

Piotr,

$350 maintenance every 20,000 miles? That's twice what I spent on an old 300SD in 4 years and 40,000+ miles including repairs, that I bought as a parts car but it runs so good I'm still driving it.

My object is not to keep it in perfect condition but in good running condition.

P E H

LightMan · #37 12-11-2002, 02:23 AM

cisco and others with the 606 engine....how have you removed the intake manifold? It appears to be a number of hex type bolts, (what size are they?), and is that all that's required? It appears to be connected to parts on the underneath/righthand side, or are they just next to eachother?

By the way I found the intake manifold gasket, pretty cheap, $9.

stephenson · #38 12-11-2002, 01:56 PM

"Policy" to replace all of them? C'mon ... that is a truly predatory practice ... what's next ... dent a wheel and they have to replace all ....can't replace hoses except as a set?

Am I missing something? I assume you will be asking for MB to investigate this dealer? Is the "policy" in writing?

Final rant ... is this representative of the failure rate on this generation diesel? If so, it is likely less expensive to drive a gasoline car .... jeez.

Inter911 · #39 12-11-2002, 05:10 PM

I regularly replace GPs on my 83 300SD with 385,000 kms...at least one or two every year and I put on about 6,000-10,000 miles in a normal year drivng it daily (no place to go!). But, I live in the far north where winter is usually minus 30-40 for 4 to 5 months. I figure that this takes its toll on the plugs.

It also seems that once a twice during the season I have to use one of those 200 amp battery chargers to start up the car. Using one of those seems to significantly shorten the life of the GPs. In fact, one or two plugs will usually be toast immediately after using the 200 amp charger.

I only change the ones that are gone...does not make any sense to fix what ain't broke. In order to get the old plugs out I made up something like a little crow bar that slides between the hex of the plug and the side of the head. This helps me gently pry the plug out as I turn it...seems to help overcome the carbon build up that presents the plug from coming out easily.

Just replaced two of them on Sunday...thankfully it was a balmy minus 20.

Brian Puskas

ciscoholmes · #40 12-12-2002, 06:22 PM

LightMan:

You will need a T-40 Torx bit to remove the bolts on the intake manifold. The items you see below the intake housing is the Turbo/air intake line. There is also a small (1") line coming in on the side. There will be a "C" shape clamp you will loosen to disconnect this 1" line (Can see clamp/nut from drivers side fender well) The line is butt flanged, so just loosen clamp enough to break seal.

The 4 inch line coming up under the intake manifold is held in place by a rubber O-ring up in the housing I believe????. You may have to wiggle it a little for it to let go. Be careful when removing, there appears to be several vaccum lines connected to parts on the bottom of the housing.

Let us know how it turns out. I just bought myself a 99 E300D and know I will have to replace mind sometime in the future. It can not be any harder then the 95 that I replaced them in. Good Luck!!

Aaron · #41 12-13-2002, 02:29 PM

I threw a set of glow plugs in my '83 300SD when I bought it this past May. When I'd turn the key to the warming mark, the light would come on then go out immediately, kind of like the new MB diesels do. I first thought someone had retrofitted some "even-faster glow system" to the car then I checked the plugs and 3 of the 5 were bad so I just put an entire set in. I figured since this would be my daily driver it was worth it to just do them all. I also just put a full set in Kristen's '84 300SD, as I found 3 of the 5 to be faulty. For her car I used Beru and I'm interested to see how they hold up compared to Bosch plugs. I've always preferred Bosch but have never been able to observe the longevity of Beru plugs. I got them from German Star for $8.95 each which is still cheaper than my parts houses charge me!

And my shop discount from the local MB dealership!