Hey guys,

First, let me start off by saying that I have an order of 5 Bosch glow plugs on its way but given New Year's day, it won't be here until mid next week. I want to try to get one good glow plug back into the car so it will start better. I am at the mercy of the chain stores if I want a plug to put in my car right away. That or pay $20/plug and hope MB has them.

I have 4 used Autolite plugs that I really want to avoid using. In the 7.3 IDI Fords, they swell up and break off in the pre-chambers.

Christmas day it was cold out. Lower 30s or so. The car would not start. The glow plug light did not come on as it had the night before. The car has been taking a little longer to start than normal but I thought that was due to the WMO and the colder temps we are having. Strip fuse was good. I swapped out the GP relay to have the exact same problem. No light, no start. I noticed that if I leave the key on, I will hear the relay click off after about 30-45 seconds. I did some research and found that if you lose 3 glow plugs, the light does not come on any more. I tested the glow plugs and 1, 3 and 5 are no good. I tested with ohms. 2 and 4 show about 6 ohms uncorrected. I want to get one working plug in the car so I can stop using starting fluid and or having to start the car and warm it up every 2 hours.

Bottom line, are NGK any good? I know they make great spark plugs but that doesn't mean much to a Diesel owner.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

I haven`t used them in a MB, but my Datsun Diesel uses the NGK plugs, and they seem to work ok. been using this brand for the past 31 yrs.

Any brand of plug will be ok for the duration of your trip, (that fits your engine)

There was a thread several months back about using NGK plugs.

Using Starting Fluid can cause eng damage. Don`t know if it was an issue with my SD-22 Nissan Diesel engine. but on rebuilding it several yrs ago, I had a cracked Ring Land, and a crack starting where the Wrist Pin fits in the Piston. I had used Ether to start the engine when I was on a trip when the eng suddenly would not start one morning. then procrastination of replacing them and using the starting juice...............

I had this same problem with another engine, broke some rings and the rings worked their way up to the top and I have 6 pieces of ring imbeded in the top of a piston.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

NGK glow plugs actually are OE on newer MB diesels.

They seem quite good on earlier models as well.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

On the 1985 and older Models I have not read of anyone using NKGs; so their is not a lot of infomation on them.

I had a similar experience with the Autolite GPs after; 6 moths use 2 of the tips were swollen and I had difficulty getting them out.

I put Monarks in because that is what I had already bought and in about 1.5 years I had a GP failed but at least the did not swell up. By then I had the Bosch GPs.
I have had no issues with them for about 3 years.

Note: I also ream the carbon out of the Holes before all of the above GPs with the exception of the Autolites; I did not have a Reamer when I installed the Autolites.

As you noted if you leave your key in the perglow position the total time the Glow Plug Relay says on is about 30 seconds.
If it is really cold you can preglow for 30 seconds till the Relay turns off and cycle the Key a preglow again and repeat that if you have to (if you think the Battery can handle it).

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

NGK glow plugs are very good - they come as OE in japanese diesel engines.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I would only use Beru on my 606. It REALLY matters that a good plug goes in that hole. When it comes time for removal, the plug in a 606 must be strong.

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

Have you ever used high-temp anti-seize lubricant (the 2100 degree variety) on the threads of your glow plugs??

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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I hate using starting fluid and it is always a last option for me. I keep it in the car for emergencies because I would rather damage the engine than be stuck in the middle of nowhere in the freezing cold with no way to get help.

I guess I could use an Autolite plug for a few days even though I hate doing that.

I have a glow plug hole reamer and I will be using it. It certainly won't hurt. I also use anti-seize on all glow plug threads. It does help.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

The threads on the 606 plug are not the problem. The problem is everything after the threads.

I used Beru gp grease on the last 6 I replaced. (knocking wood)

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

A best bet to remove the DOHC mercedes IDI glow plugs is to get the engine real hot ~95-100C on the gauge with manifold removed, and crank the plugs whilst the engine is running.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)