Well I finally got the opportunity to get some real work done.

It wasn't much since I don't have the right (read: small enough) tools to fit properly into the cevices of the engine without removing the injector lines, but I was able to get two GP's out and they were drenched in fresh diesel, with a somehwat thick scale of carbon on them to boot.

These GP's look old, and I'm almost certain I was only running on one or two good GP's to begin with, which has now been reduced to one or none, thus causing the starting problem.

Unfortunately the car is still in my employers parking lot, and it's cold now goddamnit (at least for a Texan), so it's still going to be a pain to get all these GP's out and replaced.

Better than a head gasket I suppose!

I use ether /cold start on my 2 diesel Ford trucks so as my merc too.
My marine diesel mech fnd says is ok, I not sure what is the real issues, have heard Cold start do damage engines.

Or change both fuel filter, sounds like more of the glow plugs not firing, u can get voltage, if u have a volt /ohmteter test the GP itseilf, u need to undo the wire. If its an open circuit then it F*cked. The GP has either high or low resistance, open circuit def not joined at all.
Good Luck.

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I'm almost ready to start replacing the GP's. After cruising the forums I've found a lot of threads about this and reaming is always recommended. I got a set of Beru's for 12.95/pc. and I'd like to do this right the first time, but I don't have a reamer, and in fact I don't really have the time or space to do this procedure properly.

I read somewhere that someone said the GP's could short out immediately if they get carbon on them; is this true? I'm aware now that reaming out the PC can increase the life of the GP's significantly but is it absolutely a necessity if I want to get my car back on the road?

Is there any way by looking at the old glow plugs or any other way to tell how bad the carbonization is inside the prechamber?