Hello folks,

Since I recently purchased a 99 E300TD with 107K miles and have been running it though some routine maintenance:

• Voltage Regulator
• Diesel Relay
• Shocks and Springs (Eibach and Bilstein Sports) had to change the Spring pads
• Serp Belt
• Fuel Filter - Going to do GT Screen in a month
• Planned: Transmission Module Replacement

And recently the Glow plug light stayed on and forced me to check the resistance and I found that GP #3, 4 and 6 are failing - now my MPG makes sense - and I have read extensively how difficult replacing them is likely to be - if i do them myself. SOOOO, I wanted to know if anyone could refer a shop in Los Angeles that has the correct Klann Tap tool kit to perform the retapping of the pre chamber if they break a GP off in the process of removing it. Any suggestions are appreciated. Or should I simply take the head off and take to a good machine shop?

I may choose to undertake replacing them and have know that i should:

• A. Be careful and Pre lub with PB or WD40 in advance while the engine is warm.
• B. Heat up the surrouding Metal - NOT THE GP itself - with a Propane torch and try to gently ease it out
• C. Try to remove using a torgue wrench set to 42nms to limit the likelyhood of snapping the GP off in the chamber
• D. Get me a Klann Tap tool - or make one myself - because I am bound to snap at least one of them off - I plan on replacing them all while I am there.
• E. Ream out the prechamber with the correct reamer for the OM606 - ANY ONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET ONE?

And finally, since the reason that the GP's get stuck is likely the carbon build up, has anyone tried placing the business end of a oscillating tool - without the cutting blade of course! - onto the end of a GP and gently vibrating it a little? Which, I hypothesize, should loosen the GP from the Carbon a bit. Just a thought any comments on it though?
C-

Ok, first off, don't panic. I'd start by getting the stuff out of the way that will slow down glow plug removal, but still let the car run. Then I'd start and drive the car and FULLY get the car up to operating temp.
Warm engine makes the glow plugs much easier to remove.
As for the reamer, click on the mercedes Benz link at the top of the page, select your car, then type glow plug in the search box. Pelican sells it, and it's affordable.
You can also look on the tool rental forum we have here and see if one is in the list.
Tool Rental Program - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will begin to prep the car this weekend.

Hello. Failing or dead glow plugs have nothing at all to do with your mileage. Glow plugs only help get the engine started. For accurate mileage calculations, carefully monitor consumption and miles over lots of miles like 5,000 miles, which should include all kinds of driving styles and conditions. I'v tracked mileage for more than 400 tanks of fuel in my 95.

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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