Worth it to clean the glowplugs? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

olsaltybastard · #1 12-11-2006, 11:04 PM

I am waiting to win an ebay auction, so in the meantime, I decided to check out my glow plugs before the winter arrives. I have the newer pencil style plugs which are wired individually from the relay under the hood to the plug. Since I am removing each plug, is it worth cleaning them or are they going to get dirty in 5 miles? They have a lot of soot on them, so I figure it can't hurt.

Also, any way to do a quick check on them while they are out? I have a multimeter, but other than an ohms check, there really isn't much else.

justinperkins · #2 12-11-2006, 11:47 PM

Now that you have them out, you might as well replace them. If you don't, they're going to burn out in a month (law of glow plugs).

You can do all the testing you want without pulling the plugs, taking them out just to "look at them" is probably a waste of time and may just cause problems (strip threads, broken plugs, etc...), but if you're going to put the old ones back make sure to use anti-seize (unless you want to be like me).

Here's a helpful link:
http://dieselgiant.com/glowplugrepair.htm

olsaltybastard · #3 12-12-2006, 12:08 AM

Thanks for the link. You would think I would have read that article already since I buy my parts from him.

All my plugs were pretty fouled, so I will place an order for new ones next week. They don't really cost that much and will most likely save me a lot of headaches over the next few months.

justinperkins · #4 12-12-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olsaltybastard

They don't really cost that much and will most likely save me a lot of headaches over the next few months.

Nope, absolutely worth it. I just paid $12/plug at Napa Auto Parts (Bosch), that price kicked butt over some of the other quotes I got.

pawoSD · #5 12-12-2006, 12:47 AM

They are about $12-13 apiece on this site too, plus, it helps support the forum. I only buy my plugs from fastlane.

justinperkins · #6 12-12-2006, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

They are about $12-13 apiece on this site too, plus, it helps support the forum. I only buy my plugs from fastlane.

I agree, except for those times when you cannot plan ahead....

SirNik84 · #7 12-12-2006, 01:43 AM

Phil is almost as fast as going to the parts store... by the time I find the time away from work and school to get to the parts store. it is faster to just have them mailed to my work.

so far my whole Christmas wish list is coming from Fastlane!

Jadavis · #8 12-12-2006, 01:49 AM

$9.99 from Autozone. Autozone is the only one in my town that had them in stock. Bosch plugs, good price. No arguements from me. Buy them 2 at a time along with a pack of gum. Every $20 you spend gets you a punch on your frequent buyer card. After 5 purchases you get a gift card, or so I'm told. I found out after I bought all 6 of mine in one purchase. They also sell little packs of anti-sieze. One is more than enough for the plugs.

-Jim

#9 12-12-2006, 01:50 AM

I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I use used glowplugs. I just pull every one that I come across in the parts yards. I've got about a dozen or so spare plugs in my toolbox at work. I get them for about $0.25 each and they tend to last between 6months to a year.

pawoSD · #10 12-12-2006, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I use used glowplugs. I just pull every one that I come across in the parts yards. I've got about a dozen or so spare plugs in my toolbox at work. I get them for about $0.25 each and they tend to last between 6months to a year.

There's a group of workers in France at the Bosch Glowplug Plant Rioting right now because you don't support their jobs.

Hit Man X · #11 12-12-2006, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jadavis

$9.99 from Autozone. Autozone is the only one in my town that had them in stock. Bosch plugs, good price. No arguements from me. Buy them 2 at a time along with a pack of gum. Every $20 you spend gets you a punch on your frequent buyer card. After 5 purchases you get a gift card, or so I'm told. I found out after I bought all 6 of mine in one purchase. They also sell little packs of anti-sieze. One is more than enough for the plugs.

-Jim

That's EXACTLY what I do! LOL I have about $180 in gift cards now, I'm going to be buying one of their starters for my SD this weekend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I use used glowplugs. I just pull every one that I come across in the parts yards. I've got about a dozen or so spare plugs in my toolbox at work. I get them for about $0.25 each and they tend to last between 6months to a year.

LOL, I pull ANYTHING worth cash I see... grabbed a genuine Bosch reman alt for $9.

Shorebilly · #12 12-12-2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I use used glowplugs. I just pull every one that I come across in the parts yards. I've got about a dozen or so spare plugs in my toolbox at work. I get them for about $0.25 each and they tend to last between 6months to a year.

I can't fault your thinkin'.....but that's about as tightwad as one can get.....do you squeek when ya walk???.....

SB

No offence intended.....just havin' fun....Merry Christmas.....

MathewHennessy · #13 12-12-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I use used glowplugs. I just pull every one that I come across in the parts yards. I've got about a dozen or so spare plugs in my toolbox at work. I get them for about $0.25 each and they tend to last between 6months to a year.

Probably not recommended for SDL owners

justinperkins · #14 12-12-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathewHennessy

Probably not recommended for SDL owners

Or 60x owners.

vstech · #15 12-12-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

They are about $12-13 apiece on this site too, plus, it helps support the forum. I only buy my plugs from fastlane.

Unless you are unfortunate enough to have the large body plugs... Man those are hard to find at a good price... fastlane wanted 17, I found a place online for 15... I wish Napa had them in stock.
John