Did I make a mistake using Champion Glow Plugs? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bassmun · #1 11-17-2016, 03:48 PM

Quick question for you all. I have always used Bosch glow plugs since I bought my '82 300 TD and they have always worked great. This year I wanted to try and save a little money (since I had been spending a lot on other repairs) and used Champion glow plugs. Since I installed them I seem to have to either cycle the plugs twice, or just leave the key in turned for about 10 seconds after the glow plug light goes out before trying to crank the engine. If I don't do this the engine just cranks and cranks.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm starting to think from what I have been reading on the forum that the Champion glow plugs are pretty crappy, and that I might have to replace them again sometime this winter if they fail prematurely.

Zacharias · #2 11-17-2016, 04:02 PM

The overwhelming experience with Champion glowplugs in the Mercedes community has been negative.

Start looking for Bosch on sale somewhere online - as I seem to recall Champion plugs' lifespan is measured in months, not years.

The only good brands are Bosch, Beru and Monark. It's unlikely you will find Monarks or Beru as cheap as Bosch.

Edit: So I just suggested you look for a deal, let me also suggest you do so only from reputable suppliers. eBay doesn't qualify. It's a haven for vendors of Chinese copies and yes, there are knockoff Bosch GPs out there.

BTW, you've got mail.

bassmun · #3 11-17-2016, 04:20 PM

Thanks for the info. That was what I was afraid of. Well, at least when I put in the Champions I reamed out the glow plug holes, so, in a few months when I have to replace them again, I shouldn't have to do any reaming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

The overwhelming experience with Champion glowplugs in the Mercedes community has been negative.

Start looking for Bosch on sale somewhere online - as I seem to recall Champion plugs' lifespan is measured in months, not years.

The only good brands are Bosch and Monark. It's unlikely you will find Monarks as cheap as Bosch.

Edit: So I just suggested you look for a deal, let me also suggest you do so only from reputable suppliers. eBay doesn't qualify. It's a haven for vendors of Chinese copies and yes, there are knockoff Bosch GPs out there.

Edit 2: Also avoid a guy on eBay who sells a lot of stuff for all kinds of diesels, who sells off-brand GPs made by "a company owned by Bosch." They are cheap. I researched and found that yes, the company is Bosch owned. So I figured what the hey. Anyway they died in 6 mos. Sorry I forget the name but the box was mostly black with blue and white lettering.

disqo · #4 11-17-2016, 05:56 PM

Can someone remind me how to test the glow plugs with a multimeter while they are still on the car?

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barry12345 · #5 11-17-2016, 06:45 PM

A quick check for a burnt out glow plug is to read the ohms on the end of the glow plug harness when it is unplugged from the relay on the fender.

Each should read about one ohm on average or a little less.

vwnate1 · #6 11-17-2016, 06:54 PM

Although some here will deny it;

Dealer testing is done at the relay's glow plug harness using a test light ~ good plugs light up the test light brightly, weak ones dimly and dead ones not at all .

An Ohm Meter isn't necessary because either they work or not .

Diesel911 · #7 11-17-2016, 09:37 PM

Neither Monarks (2 died after about 1.5 years in S. CA good weather) nor Autolites (tips swelled on 2 within 6 months and I almost did not get them out) are considered good. See old threads on the Monarks.

Campions worked OK on my Volvo Car Diesel but the compression is really good on it as I did an overhaul on the short block. Injectors were also rebuilt so that means that what is going on in the combustion chamber is all within specs.

When what is going on in the combustion chamber is not with in specs it is hard on even bosch and beru glow plugs and their life is in general shortened. That includes the need for making sure the Carbon build up in the glow plug holes is cleaned out with a Reamer or one of the alternative methods that members have used.

disqo · #8 11-18-2016, 12:30 AM

Thanks for the help! #2 was the loser of the bunch. My hoarding finally paid off and I had a spare from another car that was ready to go in. 31 degrees outside and purring like a kitten.

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vwnate1 · #9 11-18-2016, 10:10 AM

Is there a thread on proper reaming of the glow plug holes ? .

I recently bought a reamer and it looks to have the correct threads but doesn't quite fit into the hole .

The bad glow plugs came out pretty clean (engine doesn't hardly burn any oil nor smoke) but I figured to give reaming a whirl....

Maybe some detailed instructions with pictures ? .

This is the time of year for Glow Plug and Injector Service before you get stuck on a cold morning .

TIA,

DeliveryValve · #10 11-18-2016, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Although some here will deny it;

Dealer testing is done at the relay's glow plug harness using a test light ~ good plugs light up the test light brightly, weak ones dimly and dead ones not at all .
... .

This is the way I do it to save time.

.

Diesel911 · #11 11-18-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Is there a thread on proper reaming of the glow plug holes ? .

I recently bought a reamer and it looks to have the correct threads but doesn't quite fit into the hole .

The bad glow plugs came out pretty clean (engine doesn't hardly burn any oil nor smoke) but I figured to give reaming a whirl....

Maybe some detailed instructions with pictures ? .

This is the time of year for Glow Plug and Injector Service before you get stuck on a cold morning .

TIA,

If you have the reamer with the Aluminum hex and threaded area on it you need to rotate it clockwise and cut into the Carbon till the threads reach the threads in the hole then screw into the threaded hole till you can't screw it in any more.

I have never used the newer Hazet ones so I cannot comment on them.

Putting grease into the grooves of the reamer taps the carbon in the grease. Careful they can be sharp on the hands.

vwnate1 · #12 11-18-2016, 11:13 PM

Thanx ~

I'll try to post up a photo of the ones I bought OnLine, some brand I don't know but they claimed will work with OM616, 617 and other Mercedes' .

barry12345 · #13 11-18-2016, 11:22 PM

Tip swelling on some off brands besides the unpredictable lifespan is why I avoid most those glow plugs.

There is no reason you cannot get issues with the better ones. It is just far less likely in general.