OM 606, how many stuck glowplugs out there?
 

I am looking at a 95 E300 D. I have read the various posts about stuck glowplugs. How many of ya'll have had stuck glowplugs that you couldn't get out?

Is there a special tool available for use with the glowplugs on this engine?

Is the N/A 606 as likely to have the stuck glowplugs as the 98 and 99?

Thanks,

In my time on the forum, I don't remember a stuck GP on a 95 although there may have been some; there have been some on the 96-97's & the 98-99's. Cant say that one is more prevalent than the other.

There is a factory tool (a set of taps, dies and pullers) to aid in removal that is expensive enough that due to the infrequent need and limited number of diesels around that many (most?) dealers don't have it.

Most folks get them out w/o too much difficulty. They just sweat over it.

I won't rule out a purchase because of that issue alone. Is not unlike a W123 whose tranny shifts hard or slips a bit.....

The 95 & 96 got the 722.438 vacuum controlled 4spd trans; 97-99 got the 722.608 electronically controlled 5 spd trans which to me is preferable. An upgrade to the 722.6 occurred in late 97 which resolved some early issues with it. 96 was not quite as computer controlled (ign/security, etc.) as the 97-99.

98 & 99 got turbos, and 99 got a rear curtain airbags also. There are other differences but most of them were pretty subtle creature comfort improvements.

Heres the stuck glowplug on mine. Stuck because the idiot who owned it before me had it welded into place. Most likely because someone stripped the thread perhaps.

Nothing I can do about it without spending big money, so its been like that for over 2 years:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/...2a570a6203.jpg

The glow plug issue seems to be more about carbon buildup rather than seized glow plug threads. I recently changed out all 6 plugs in my 96 e300d, and as mentioned by other posters, sweat and patience is a big part of the job. The plug nearest the firewall, between the block and oil filter housing was the one that was bad. Using a lot of PB Blaster and Freeze-Off, I was able to get it out after about 6 hours of minuscule movements back and forth. Information provided by other posters indicated that 45 n/m was the failure point of beru glow plugs, and I used a torque wrench in the removal of the plugs, and tried to stay within that value. Very nerve wracking job, but doable with a little time and patience.

I'll be doing mine in the next couple weeks. In the meantime, I wish people could lay off these spooky threads;)

I notice that Diesel911 is now making a reamer for the 604,605,606 & 648 engines:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=205862

Forewarned is forearmed.............gives you the pitfalls of the job before you enter into it, and some of the solutions to those pitfalls.

I had one stuck, seized threads were the culprit.
The head had to be removed so the GP could be drilled out.

Don't let GP's change your mind on buying one, though. By all means, E300's are the best of the IDI (non-CDI) diesels.
Do yourself a favor, look for a nice '98 or '99 turbo, and enjoy it!

I have a 1999 E300 and have been stuggling for days trying to get the old glow plugs out. Dealer recommended penetrating oil, which has not helped at all. What is, and where can I find, PB Blaster and Freeze-Off mentioned in above message? I live in San Diego. I am sure the threads in one glow plug are stripped as I can move it freely, but it will not come out.

Any help you can offer will be very much appreciated. I would love to be able to do this repair without removing the head if that is possible.

Wow, now that's a quality repair job!

Be patient. Warm engine (with IM off, lil stinky but wont hurt it) and keep working it back and forth.

Retail outlets http://www.blasterchemical.com/display.cfm?p=1661405D-3ACB-43E7-89EFB7A4DF1892A9

Data page http://www.crcindustries.com/marine/content/new.aspx

Don't sweat it
 

You can do it. Just take the precautions of using a penetrating lube on the plugs and letting it soak, and take your time loosening. Just be patient and it's just like changing spark plugs.

I've heard that Sea Foam Deep Creep works better than PB Blaster. How is Freeze Off utilized? Isn't that the wart remover?

John

Another 95' with a broken plug here.

I stand by my recomendation of Kroil and biodiesel to remove the plugs

I ordered a small air-powered impact wrench from harbor freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37730

I will keep it tucked away until my next GP R&R job and then I plan to try it out. It seems to be perfect for this job and for only $15 I figured I had little to lose. Its only 5.5" long which should be able to reach most of the GPs without even having to swivel it too much but I won't know until I try it I guess.

Any tips for the prevention of extensive carbon build-up on the glow plugs?


Frequent Italian Tune Up?
Use of Bio-Diesel (B20 on a regular basis)?