first, thanks for this forum, and the info contained here. I have been reading and searching but cannot seem to find the answer. I drove the car home the other night it was about 55* and raining, it was the first time is had been started in a few months. I brought a new battery with me , and it started after about 2 or three cycles of the plugs. After that it would start, I assume because the engine was still warm. Parked it at home, and the next day it would not start. When I turn on the key, th glow plug light comes on, and I have about 10.5V at the first glow plug, then end up with 1.5 v at the last plug, dropping equal amounts over each plug. The glow plug bus (wire) and the out side of the glow plugs are so hot they will cook flesh (ask how I know). I did not know if this is normal. I have pulled all of the plugs, and they all are good and and read about .2 ohms from the stud to the metal ring. While attempting to start the car, it smokes and stutters like it wants to start, but does not. I have a good battery, starter is turning at the proper speed, and there is fuel in the tank, and I cracked the injectors lines and have fuel at the injectors. It is about 65 degrees now and sunny! I am going to adjust the valves, along with every other maintenance item it will need, but right now I just need it to start. Am I doing something wrong? thanks alot!

Welcome to the forum.

Check out this pictorial to help you with your glow plugs.

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedesdieselloopglowplugrepair.htm

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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

hjalbert,

Outside heating of the GP is normal. Its caused by the resistance wires between the GP getting hot.

I'm surprised MB didn't put parallel GP in your engine. They work so much better.

How long are U letting the GP preheat before U try to start the engine? Find out how long the GP relay stays energized and wait just little less before U energize the starter.

Adjusting the valves doesn't take long. Maybe U should do that first.

P E H

the relay is staying energized for 90 seconds. the glow plug light is staying on for about 20 seconds. its funny, when I am sitting there with the door open, the beeping noise comes on for about 5 seconds. then it stops. when the glow plug relay shuts off, the beep comes on for another three seconds.

Probalbly of more importance is that the (big) purple wire coming out of the relay gets hot when the relay is on, and the relay itself gets warm/hot to the touch. The pins coming out of the relay are to hot to touch for more then a second or two.

This is my second benz, the other is a 1985 300SD, and I bought it to sell. This one I bought for my wife to drive. I guess in 1979 they put both pencil and loop systems in, switching mid production. I have alot of experience with VW diesels, but I do not know much about these cars, but it does not seem right to have this much heat inside the relay, and on the big purple wire.

go to the main page of forums.
scroll down to do-it-yersef.
click on engine electrical and the gp stuff is hidden there.

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

Real question is how many miles on the engine?? If at/near 300k then expect it to cough and spit on startup on account of LOW COMPRESSION - normal for any primitive diesel as it approaches 1/2 million miles, same is true for semi-trucks and heavy construction equipment. Eventually it will get to the point where it caint be driven stone cold at all.

Meanwhile try running the glow cycle more than once before attempting to start the old diesel, especially if its got beaucoup miles and compression has gone slack. Diesels aint quick start engines by their nature.

And hang onto those loop style plugs, skip the upgrade. Arguably those loopers are better than pencil tips for the simple reason they're so easily diagnosed. With bad plugs the loop will be broken like burnt out lightbulb filament, as easy as that.