How to change Glow Plugs on a 124 Without Rmoving Manifold - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dionysius · #1 04-21-2009, 04:55 PM

Help is needed here. How do I change Glow Plugs on a 124 (1990 300D 2.5 Turbo) without removing the Intake Manifold ??

It looks difficult.....very difficult. I can see long 1/4" drive wobble extentions might be nice. Has anyone out there made a list of what combinations of tool setup works well for each of the 5 plugs. I can see that they all will need their own special access.

Or do I bite the bullet and remove the manifold?? Any tricks there??

matthias08 · #2 04-21-2009, 04:59 PM

um. as i look at mine, i just think that removing the manifold seems like a more enjoyable life experience.

awsrock · #3 04-21-2009, 05:06 PM

I tried to do it without removing the manifold..

Apparently it's been done, but I think it would be a lot easier to just take the manifold off.

I just hope that your bolts aren't so tight that you have to take it in to get it off (like I did

)

lietuviai · #4 04-21-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dionysius

Help is needed here. How do I change Glow Plugs on a 124 (1990 300D 2.5 Turbo) without removing the Intake Manifold ??

It looks difficult.....very difficult. I can see long 1/4" drive wobble extentions might be nice. Has anyone out there made a list of what combinations of tool setup works well for each of the 5 plugs. I can see that they all will need their own special access.

Or do I bite the bullet and remove the manifold?? Any tricks there??

If it's anything as difficult as a 603 6cylinder then you can do it with lots of cussing and a few extra 1/4" wobble extensions. I broke two wobble extensions, Craftsmans no less, before deciding to pull the manifold.

Bio300TDTdriver · #5 04-21-2009, 10:37 PM

Unless your hands are the same size as my 4 year old daughters, I would suggest removing the intake.

pmari · #6 04-21-2009, 10:42 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=247850&highlight=pmari

a2t · #7 04-21-2009, 11:24 PM

yeh what they said...remove the mani. its no fun, but stripping a glow plug bore thread is worse. plus you need to ream the bores (unless you want to go thru all this fun again soon). its not too bad removing mani. lay on top of engine. your wife will have a whole new respect for you when she comes into garage and sees you elbow deep in the greasy monster, dropping 1/4" extensions into the abyss, cussing like you have turrets syndrome. when your done spill a sip of beer in memory of us poor sods with 6 freakin cylinders and same chassis to work with...

JimmyL · #8 04-22-2009, 12:45 AM

Pull the manifold. It ain't rocket science......

GregoryV022 · #9 04-22-2009, 01:21 AM

remove the IM. you won't save any time trying to do it with it on.

but it is possible using above suggestions.

like my dad always says, work the lazy mans way

lietuviai · #10 04-22-2009, 11:32 AM

I like try to live by the "work smarter, not harder" method.

Oracle12345 · #11 04-22-2009, 11:34 AM

you can do this job without removing the intake manifold. ive done them on the SDL without remving the intake manifold. With some extensions and patience youll be good but then agian i use snap on tools. remember if you take the intake off dont forget to replace the gasket. At the dealer they dont remove the intake fyi.

bobodaclown · #12 04-22-2009, 08:15 PM

I did it only the # 2 though. You enter from the back... NOT THE SIDE.
Use 1/4 inch drive 3/8 is too big. I thought entering from the side would work.. Boy was I wrong. Slept on it, then it seemed to work better with a clear head. I did pull the intake tube the crosses over the valve cover. Man was it dirty. I've got a manifold gasket I didn't use. PM me.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=248343&highlight=glow+plug

Good luck.

Jeremy5848 · #13 04-23-2009, 01:04 AM

Removing the IM is not that difficult and gives you both the opportunity to flush out all of the soot and diesel crud and a convincing argument to defeat the EGR valve. If I had to pay someone to do the work, I'd have all of the glow plugs replaced at once; since I do the work myself and it's easy after the first time, I just replace the bad GP.

Jeremy

ROLLGUY · #14 05-06-2009, 09:58 PM

Another vote for removing the manifold. I did a 6 cyl, and it was MUCH easier without the manifold. If you try it at first without removing the manifold, chances are you will end up removing it anyway. Don't forget the Anti-Seize!!

Oracle12345 · #15 05-06-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Another vote for removing the manifold. I did a 6 cyl, and it was MUCH easier without the manifold. If you try it at first without removing the manifold, chances are you will end up removing it anyway. Don't forget the Anti-Seize!!

a 1/4 drive racket and socket with some extensions and a small wrench is all you need to do the job without removing the im