Good evening all,

Thanks to this forum, I am tackling the task of changing my glow plugs. During the process, one of the plugs broke off at the tip. This is at the end that would be sticking into the cylinder. (Please see the attached picture.)

My question, how should I proceed. As you can see it's a very small section of the tip. Should I purchase a glow plug reeming tool to clean the hole? Please help!!!

Also would it hurt to use vice grips to remove the last plug. I am concerned about not stripping the plug before getting it out? There is only one plug remaining to be removed.

Know that I am probably being overly cautious... I am open to any and all advice.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Ron
(Richmond, VA)

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Any chance of posting another pic with a new one next to it? My only reason for asking is to see how much of the old plug is missing. I have removed GPs from 617s that were missing a tip and just reamed the chamber as normal and assumed it was disintegrated before I pulled it. Again that was on a 617.

You could try removing the injector and vacuuming, i.e draw air in thru glow plug hole into vacuum cleaner.

If the tip is still there (and not burned away) it will ping around inside pre-chamber.

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David


1996 Mercedes S124 E300TD - 129k - rolling restoration project -

1998 Mercedes W210 300TD - 118k (assimilated into above vehicle)

That tip is burnt off, not broken off.

By the "last" plug, I assume that you are referring to #6.
I just did a 606 a couple days ago for the first time since I have owned it. I have plenty of room to get a deep socket on #6 to unscrew it. Once unscrewed, the body of the plug was bound in with carbon. I spent another 4 hours carefully turning it and pulling on it to get it out. I clamped a vice grip on it and then pried against the vice grip and the head with a long screwdriver. Carefully, slowly, twisting and rocking. I did this with the engine HOT. Some times while running. I never let it cool down.

Ream the holes before installing the new plugs.

When you install the new ones, put anti-seize on the treads and spread a thin coating of it on the body.

Good luck.

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

Thank you all for your response. I have included a picture of the old damaged plug, next to a new one. It is now possible to see that not much of the tip is lost or burnt off.

The number 5 plug is the one in question. I will take all of your advice when moving forward. I can't start the engine, because it wouldn't start after my crankcase ventilation pod gave out. I've cleaned the intake, and now just to complete the plugs. I have been using the anti-seize on them.

Thank you

Ron

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