Why do gloplugs only fail when it is sub-zero??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mobetta · #1 12-08-2007, 11:22 AM

well, no start this morning.
only three below.
after a few trys, the glo lite didnt come on. So i grabbed a tester, and 2&4 are burned out. I replaced all 5 last winter, outside, when it was -7*F out. Used bosch duraterm from autozoo. made in france.

then, this fall, 1&2 failed. replaced them w/ autolite's, because that is all I could get. so now 2&4 are out- that means 3/5 bosch didnt last a year, and 1/2 autolite's didnt last 2 months.

I am going to drain the rotellla 5-40 and put in Mobil 1 0-40.
so a $60 oil change, 2 more gloplugs, and I might be able to start this ol girl in subzero temps again.

I did finally just install a circulation tank heater, had that going for 1/2 hour this morning. not enough to get her started. I need to pick up a timer today, so it will be ready when I am.

right now she's sitting out there w/ the 1000w tank heater, a 150 watt oilpan magnet, and the rollaway charger cranking.

I suspect she'll fire up in a bit, even with only 3 gloplugs.

#2 12-08-2007, 11:39 AM

The rotellla 5-40 should be fine, just fix the GPs. At -3F, you need them all working. How strong is your battery? When was the last time you adjusted the valves?

mobetta · #3 12-08-2007, 11:46 AM

new battery this fall(autozoo). valve job every fall. I used that mobil-1 last year, and aside from the gloplug issue, I had no problems starting well below zero.

but I decided I really did not want to ever buy another product from Mobil oil again. They can post all the record breaking profits they want, but none of it will be my money.

I probably will just do gloplugs and get a timer so I can have the engine warm, but I do not always have an outlet where I park.

I tell you what, one of those little cheesy jump start boxes saved my a$$ more than once last winter, suprisingly enough.

welll, off to try again.....

#4 12-08-2007, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

I tell you what, one of those little cheesy jump start boxes saved my a$$ more than once last winter, suprisingly enough.

Those work very well, I just used one to start my POS jeep (which for some reason had 0V on a new battery).

JDmills · #5 12-08-2007, 05:45 PM

I lost 4/5 GP's last winter when it was wicked outside.. got the car home with some fancy thinking, the block heater, and ether.. by september it was getting hard to start again.. just changed them again last week, but had learned that a gp reamer would be helpful in extending their life.. I am still amazed by how well it kicks off now.. it might turn over once/twice when it is in the single numbers outside.. I now think there was carbon which was part of my problem in the combustion chamber.

junqueyardjim · #6 12-08-2007, 05:50 PM

That is, where you live. I'd be ashamed of that to, if it fell below zero before winter officially started. I'll bet folks living in your area are all hoping for more global warming. I think you better get a set of those Bosch glow plugs from Phil. I bet you will get a couple of years out of them. In the mean time, hope for global warming in your area.

toomany MBZ · #7 12-08-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

I tell you what, one of those little cheesy jump start boxes saved my a$$ more than once last winter, suprisingly enough.

Me too, I replaced the starter after the GP's no more problems.

mobetta · #8 12-08-2007, 08:04 PM

well, got her started, and ran some errands. I discovered that Autozoo doesnt carry gloplugs anymore, period???

but I did find bosch duraterms (france) at Napa. got some of them, and a new thermostat- I did not have any heat all day- the temp gauge never cleared 60C on the gauge?! even blocked off 50% of the radiator. no help. they did have a nice german made thermo for $23.

the thought of a gloplug reamer crossed my mind as I was changing them. mabbeeee next summer.

global warming- ummm- the climate is just gonna get worse, no matter where you are....