glow plug reamer - pic
 

I thought I show everyone what comes out when you use a glow plug reamer... it's definately removes some crud!

I replaced my braided rubber diesel hoses near the injectors, so I had the hard lines off so I did glowplugs at the same time...

another pic
 

ick!

Good work here.

I just used one for the first time and got some stuff but not as much as you did.

Thanks

Don

Is there a homemade reamer
 

Reading the threads, I'm sold on the importance of using a reamer to clean carbon deposits, but I'm put off by the desribed cost of the reamer, a tool that I'd use once in forever. I'm gonna be pulling the glow plugs out related to tracing down a nailing noise.

The pictures in this thread nicely show a glow plug reamer is a very simple tool, that would seem to cost pennies to manufacture. (Thanks for the post with picture bodyart 27, it is the picture that is worth a thousand words that made me "get" what is being talked about in other threads.)

Is there something special like really fine tollerances, and dangers if you miss, that there is no discussion of a homemade tool for cleaning the carbon out of the glow plug area?

Reamer
 

Where can you buy these?

I wondered if a small wire bristle brush would work.....

Where can you buy these?
 

One source for car tools:
http://www.zdmak.com/
I would not use a wire brush, there is the possibility that bristles will come off in the precombustion chamber. The reamer just fits and has enough clearance to be a safe tool for this purpose.
DDH

Reamer cost $40
 

Thanks. Got the store and price. On page four of your tool link they've got the tool, using this description.

Mercedes Reamer
number 901-0053

This "Pencil Type " Reamer ( 12 x 1.25 ) is used for removing carbon buildup
in Diesel Glow Plugs which is a major cause of glow plug failure.
Same as Mercedes number 901-589-0053-00
Applicable: OM 601, 615, 616, and 617
$39.99


While its worth more than forty to fix the problem, the tool looks like something that a homemade version might exist.

What happens to the carbon that falls down inside?

I am of the opinion that if there is enough carbon to be reamed out, then the pre-chamber should come out and be cleaned. This will not be that much more work and the results are far better IMHO.

Using the part number, my MB parts list states a list, wholesale and "cost" at $30.50

Not sure why the list, wholesale and cost is the same (first time I have seen that) but the price at the dealer for this item is not bad.

You grease the flutes to catch most of the carbon, then spin the engine with the starter to "puff" the rest out.

A reamer is a reamer - does it have a dimension marked on it? Knowing that one could then use a standard tool!
Steve

The size given by Judge (12 x 1.25) and the picture lead me to believe this reamer is nearly identical to a 1/2" reamer. My Machine Shop Supply catalog lists the reamer for $13.20, though it doesn't have the threads or hex for the fingertips. If wobble (misalignment) isn't a concern, one can save some money by using a standard reamer.

it looks like the reamer could be made out of a bolt...

At Crown Eurocars in St. Petersburg, they use a screwdriver. One of the many reasons I don't take my car there anymore.