E300D glow plugs - WOW - that was easy!!

[sokoloff]

Had my #3 glow plug go out on me and attacked it yesterday and today. The last time I had to do glow plugs in this car, I had one break off and had to drill it out. I wasn't looking forward to doing the job again. I decided to try it with the car hot. Set my torque wrench to 40nm with the intention of seeing if that would be enough to loosen the plugs. I was doubtful that would be enough. But lo and behold the first glow plug loosened very easily at probably about 30nm. I couldn't believe it. Tightening torque was 27nm. I was so happy that I decided to see if the others would be just as easy to do and they were. However I couldn't count to six and for some reason never did the sixth glow plug. Forgot about it until several hours later. By that time the engine was cold of course and that last plug was significantly harder to loosen, but it did break free and come out. So I reamed the holes, cleaned up the old glow plugs, reapplied anti-seize which was still evident from the last time and reinstalled the glow plugs. I was debating on whether to get all new glow plugs, get one new one or just install a used one that I had in my spare parts box. Since they came out so easily after six years, I just put my spare used one in and will see how that goes. So whether it was the hot engine (most likely) or the anti-seize, I was really happy with the way things went.