1. Has anyone replaced their original glow plug relay with the newer style sold on Fastlane? At the relatively small cost ($60.00) it seems like a good investment since I live where it freezes about 5 months of the year. Does it improve non block heater starts?

2. My foot flap actuator (center just behind the radio) seems to have a failed diaphragm. Can you order just the diaphragm or can I use an actuator out of a 123? I checked the part numbers and they are different but perhaps I could just use the diaphragm out of a 123 actuator? How hard are these to replace and does the top just pop off the actuator so you can access the diaphragm? Never done this and there are no instructions anywhere that I can find.

Thanks in advance...

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'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

I think that new relay sounds like an excellent idea. Plus, the deal I saw was for the relay and 4 new glowplugs for $113 at Fastlane. I really believe Bosch has made a bunch of these and priced them right - this part used to be much more expensive I think. Actually, I'd like to buy just the relay like you are thinking of. Where on Fastlane do you see it available for $60??? I looked everywhere, all I saw was the kit. That's almost certain to help warmup, as it says it will cycle a bit for up to 3 minutes, enough to get down the driveway and around the block. Please, let me know if you try one, as I may decide to get one myself.

You can replace the diaphragm. Diaphragms are available for ~$5 from George Murphy at Performance Analysis (look for the ad at www.hemmings.com) and some place like mbautolux.com or automblux.com. The second place also sells a tool to help you open the actuator without breaking the tabs.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

For the ACC diaphrams and the little tool to open them it is www.autoluxmbz.com (great price too).

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

From the sound of it, you have a spare actuator from a 123. Often, you can swap the little linkage ends, and use them in different areas/cars. Then again, if you can get a brand new diaphragm for 5 bucks, it would give you peace of mind that the part would last a few years longer when compared to a used part. (that's how the theory goes anyway)

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

I'll check out the links to the pod fixes.

Peter, there is not a listing to the relay alone but once you deduct the GPs it works out to about 60.00 for the relay in the kit.

yes, you are right I have a couple of 123 pods and thought I might try to use them in the 126 body for this repair. I might look at pulling the 126 pod and putting it side by side to the 1243 pod and see if I can make it work.

__________________
'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique