Wizo,

When the glow plug light does not light up when you turn the key in the "ignition" but does if you cycle it to off and back, you have one plug gone. If it does not come on the second time around you have more than one plug gone. I recommend replacing all four at a time. They are cheap, and your hands will heal before you have to do it again. They usually last a few years.

The valve adjustment is a kind of satisfying task for someone who likes working on his car. It is made much easier with the special tools from the dealer, or from Fastlane or some other source. I think they cost about $45-65. I bought mine twenty years ago, and they were about $24 then.

Buying the wrenches met my criteria for special tool investments. They cost less than having the job done, and the job is something you do at least every year. So they quickly pay for themselves.

The first time you do it you will need 2 to 4 hours, depending on how you work on cars. I am fastidious about cleanliness and always take at least 2 hours. I wash the valve cover in gas and let it dry, change the valve cover gasket, clean the top of the head, clean and regrease the linkage bars, examine the chain and tensioning rails, etc. and just take my time. If you do not enjoy spending 2 hours to save the $75 a repair shop would charge, then do not do it yourself. I also like knowing what the valve clearance settings are, and will adjust them a little loose in September, then right on the mark in May.

Hope that helps, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)