Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-16-2005, 04:43 AM
skydivetoday's Avatar
"My Dog House" Yanmar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Marco Island, FL
Posts: 87
Glow plug tools?

The pre-glow light on my 1983 300sd did not light this morning. The car started fine so I waited until I got home and found it was glow plug number three that was out.

I thought I would try to change it and the other four glow plugs myself. Last time I had them changed was over ten years ago at 150,00 miles. I bought five Bosch glow plugs and anti seize went to the car opened the hood and stopped in my tracks when I looked at last plug in the back. I put my tools away and looked on the search for changing glow plugs. Found things about a PITA and four hours of work.

Before I start this adventure could some kind soul tell me what tools they found usefull in changing glow plugs with out removing other parts.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-16-2005, 09:09 AM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
I'll Go Upside Your Head!
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 3,378
If the light doesn't come on at all then either the GP relay isn't working or yoiu have 2+ plugs out. Before this last pplug went out, would the GP light ever blink after starting for about 45 seconds?
Thanks
David
__________________
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

_____________________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-16-2005, 09:39 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by skydivetoday

Before I start this adventure could some kind soul tell me what tools they found usefull in changing glow plugs with out removing other parts.
The Craftsman reversible ratcheting combination wrench makes the job a lot easier. Craftsman makes two types of ratcheting combo wrenches. I recommend the more expensive version with the reversing lever. It has a fine tooth ratchet. The other version is too course to work in many applications.

You also might need a glow plug reamer, which you won't find at Sears. I have used a drill bit of the appropriate size, twisted by hand. When you finish reaming, turn the engine over with the starter to blow out any leftover carbon. (Before installing the new glow plugs.)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-16-2005, 09:40 AM
WANT '71 280SEL's Avatar
I'll Go Upside Your Head!
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 3,378
tangofox, that's what I used yesterday when I had to replace one of mine, keep in mind it was 20F! boy were my hands cold.
Thanks
David
__________________
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

_____________________________________________
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-16-2005, 09:56 AM
85drtysthbenz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 387
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangofox007
The Craftsman reversible ratcheting combination wrench makes the job a lot easier. Craftsman makes two types of ratcheting combo wrenches. I recommend the more expensive version with the reversing lever. It has a fine tooth ratchet. The other version is too course to work in many applications.

You also might need a glow plug reamer, which you won't find at Sears. I have used a drill bit of the appropriate size, twisted by hand. When you finish reaming, turn the engine over with the starter to blow out any leftover carbon. (Before installing the new glow plugs.)

yep, ill second the use of the ratcheting wrenches...they worked out really well for me....one thing i did was attach a piece of a hanger to the top side of the wrench, so i could hold that and move the wrench without having to reach my hands way down in there....its pretty tight quarters on a couple of them....oh yeah, youll need a 8mm to pull the wire off, and a 12mm to pull the GP....and dont drop the little 8mm nuts, i did that and it set me back about 45 minutes because i had to fish it out of the engine compartment, it couldnt have just fell all the way through...good luck
__________________
1985 300SD 192,000miles...Astral silver/ Grey MbTex

1983 300D 194,000miles...White/Tan MbTex...my newest addiction
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-16-2005, 12:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 131
I just replaced 2 glow plugs yesterday.
I went to Sears and bought 2 ratcheting wrenches (12mm and 8 mm) for about $16. At the check-out counter, the cashier told me if I applied for a Sears credit card I could get $15.00 off. I said why not. So in essence I paid only $1 for the pair of ratcheting wrenches.
Then I went down to Autozone to buy 2 Bosch glow plugs for $7.99 each.
Got home and replaced the 2 glow plugs (#2, #3) in about 30 minutes.



David
______________
1985 300D Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-16-2005, 12:43 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: RI
Posts: 1,040
Just $7.99 at AutoZone?? These the pencil type?? I just spent 51 for 5 and thought I was doing good.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-16-2005, 01:13 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 46
That is a pretty good price, for some reason I thought they were more expensive. I just replaced mine as well but had some used ones lying around but they seem to work great.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-16-2005, 01:18 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: RI
Posts: 1,040
I have a set of metric "Gearwrenchs". Will they work ok for that hard to get at #5 plug? or should I got the other type at Sears.
Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-16-2005, 01:20 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmmagow
Just $7.99 at AutoZone?? These the pencil type?? I just spent 51 for 5 and thought I was doing good.
$66.00 for 6 and I thought the same thing.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-16-2005, 01:30 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 46
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmmagow
I have a set of metric "Gearwrenchs". Will they work ok for that hard to get at #5 plug? or should I got the other type at Sears.
Thanks.
No they will work fine, this is what I have too. It is a ***** of a job but not that bad on my 83 300D turbo
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-16-2005, 05:02 PM
skydivetoday's Avatar
"My Dog House" Yanmar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Marco Island, FL
Posts: 87
With the help of this forum, Job Done!

I went to Sears and bought a set of ratcheting wrenches. I tied the 12mm and 8mm to a 2 foot string (that advise really good). I bench tested the five new glow plug, just in case. I put electric grease on the 8mm so the nut will not fall off the rachet, then took off the bad # 3 glow plug (the easyest one) and bench tested it... cold. I put a new # 3 glow plug after blowing out the carbon, and turn on the key... the preglow light went on for a few seconds and when it turn ed off the car started right up.

This was the SOP for the other four after which I bench tested each of the other four and they worked. The only disconect I had to do was the rear water hose. Total time 90 minutes.

This is an example of what this forum can do for us. Like Albert said "None of us is as smart as all of us".

Thank you everyone.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-16-2005, 06:22 PM
phidauex's Avatar
BioDiesel Hopeful
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 806
Here is a tip TomJ gave me on buying autozone plugs.

They have the correct Bosch plug for the 617, but their single part number refers to two different plugs pencil-type plugs. Both will work, but the one with a slightly tapered head will work better.

Since they have the same part number, ask if they will bring out a big handful so you can open them up and check for ones with the tapered head. If they don't have enough, or any of the tapered head, the rounded head works fine, it just isn't as durable.

And yes, 7.99$ each.

Peace,
Sam
__________________
"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-16-2005, 09:22 PM
MBDFahrer's Avatar
Senior Member, Senioritis
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 493
Smile Count me in

Replaced 2 and 3 yesterday on the W123, took about 25-30 mins using a ~6 inch extenstion and threaded it through the fuel lines to avoid removing them. GP light still doesn't come on but it starts alot easier even just after the seat belt buzzer goes out, with some minor rumble still. Also paid $7.99 from Auto Zone.
__________________
Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-16-2005, 09:43 PM
85drtysthbenz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 387
there must be a countrywide sale on glow plugs....i just replaced mine about 3 weeks ago and they cost me $10.99 each, from autozone....what the hell?

__________________
1985 300SD 192,000miles...Astral silver/ Grey MbTex

1983 300D 194,000miles...White/Tan MbTex...my newest addiction
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page