1983 300SD

I recently replaced the glowplugs after having to do a lot of cranking to start and very rough initial idle. After replacement I saw really no improvement.

Glow plug indicator light works properly.

12V Before and After Fuse
Relay Clicks on and Off 12V at the Relay 6 pin connection
11V ? at each glow plug (11V's correct I think)

No more than a couple tenths of resistace found on any of the glow plug cables or fuse etc.

Do I have new bad plugs (Bosch)? Is my engine that wore out?

I know glow plug topic has been beat to death and I'm sorry to bring it up again.

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1983 Oil Leaking Ass Kicking 300SD

Did you ream out the glow plug holes before you swapped the GPs? Carbon-cakes in the holes make a difference upon startup.
GPs are only one piece of the puzzle too. Got to look at other stuff like valve adjustment, etc. You have to be on top of all of that to get a smooth startup.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Are you allowing the "complete" glow plug cycle? I ask because of not being sure of your familiarity with diesels. Turn your key to the glow position and wait till you hear the underhood relay click, and the indicator lights will brighten, then turn to start.

Also, when/have you done a recent valve adjustment?

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I bet if you adjust the valves the car will start much better. Also are you using a block heater?

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

It appears that the glow plugs are not the culprit.

Time to check valve lash and take a look at the injection and valve timing. If the chain is stretched quite a bit, the engine will be hard to start.

Then, it's onto compression. If the numbers are down, it's more difficult to start in the cold.

Additionally, the condition of the battery and starter need to be verified. You can't easily start these without decent cranking speed.

Thanks for all of the replies on a burnout topic.

Adjustment is on my BenzO to do list.Where is the cheapest place to pickup the Valve Adjustment wrenches?

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1983 Oil Leaking Ass Kicking 300SD

Cheapest would probably be the on-line flea market (Ebay), Other places: www.samstagsales.com, www.**************.com, www.performanceproducts4benz.com There are probably several others and Google may turn them up.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Do you have a torch? I can send you a picture of valve wrench dimensions, etc. Just takes cheap wrenches, a hammer, and a torch.

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1989 300E 144K

Thats what I'm talking about. I've got torches I'd love the pics and dimensions.

Might be a good one for the DIY section.

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1983 Oil Leaking Ass Kicking 300SD

I would love the valve adjusting wrench dimensions also.

Thanks,
Glenn

Just get a couple cheapo 14mm wrenches and bend em at a 45 right behind the heads, then about 4" up, bend them parallel to the heads. Grind the heads down thin, and weld a handle on the other end if you want.
Dieselgiant also sells wrenches.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Goose,

You don't really need the special wrenches. I just adjusted my valves Yesterday and all I used was 2 14mm open wrenches. One was a Dowidat that came in a MB wrench set. I just ground off the outside of this wrench to make it a little narrower so it fit easier on the lock nut.

Check all the valves before you loosen any valve nuts. Frequently, some of the valves do not need adjustment. As with my valves yesterday, only 6 of 10 required adjustment after 26,000 miles. Easiest way is to check with go/nogo gages. .003, .005, .013 and .015 inch precision feeler stock works well for go/nogo gages.

P E H

I have same issue -- no start at 35F or below. I verified glow sytem, reamed holes, (hopefully good enough) , adjusted valves, (it ran a great deal smoother, with more power, and i think with less oil in the air filter but i still need to peek in again), and changed fuel filters.

Now its on to injection start of delivery and timing, compression test, and maybe then a good reaming with the tool if i can get a hold of the socket. On the brightside I am getting to learn a lot about my new car real quick

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

FYI this is NOT a good way to start these engines..

If you wait for the relay to click OFF then you have no more glow plug heat and the engine is less likely to start. Your best bet is wait for the light to shut off, then wait another 10-15 seconds (count it) and then try to start it.

If the glow plugs are eletrically off, you will have more trouble starting (if you have starting issues)

The cheapest place is the tool rental program in the sticky at the top of the page.