2002 C220 CDI Coupe/Glow Plugs

[Vish]

Hello,

I am new to the world of Mercedes and the club. Was following some of the threads regarding the similar issue. However, got dual problems following my visit to the Benz Workshop today.

Bought a 2002 C220 CDI Coupe Manual Transmission 4 weeks ago. The Glow lamp warning light goes off very quickly (approx 2 seconds) on the Key position 2. However, it then comes back again and stays on for a minute on start up.

Got it checked today.

Following are the issues:
a) 2 Glow lamps went off on open circuit (Don't know what that means)
b) Surprisingly, the engineer said that only 3 cylinders are functional. When asked for details, he said that the injector to the fourth cylinder needs replacing and will cost £370.

I have been looking at the issues posted. I am pretty much a fresher for Mercedes so not sure what to do?

Any help from the enthusiasts and fellow threaders would be greatly appreciated...

 

[spoton]

plugs

Under normal circumstances the glowplug light doesnt stay on for the same duration as the plugs are actually heating ( I dont know why it would make a lot more sense if the did!)

the fact that the light then comes on again indicates a fault in the glowplug circuit usually glowplug fault as indicated by your mechanic new plugs will rectify that

the injector fault has obviously been pinpointed through the diagnostic socket as being faulty does the car run ok or does it seem a bit lumpy, bad spray patterns can cause more serious problems, someone with more experience of these electronic injectors may like to comment further

 

[Tinkerer]

In the UK it does not get cold enough to warrant the glow plugs on a CDI, I ran mine all through last winter with no starting problems at all other than the light coming back on. I would just get the injector sorted,

 

[Vish]

Thank you Spoton and Tinkerer.

The car seems to be fine spoton, however, I am experiencing a lot of "Juddering" or vibration of Engine on the start of the engine and, when it is on the first gear (or idle on traffic light etc.). At first, I thought that this might be the case due to the age of the car. But then, reading few posts in the club, I realized that the injector might be one of the reasons? Or I may be wrong?

Got second opinion by the local garage today. Yes, the injector surely needs replacing. When the mechanic opened the cover, it was scary carbon all over implying the leakage from cylinder 1.

I am obviously a bit nervous not to choose an option of getting this done by Merc dealer (especially about the glow plugs after reading the horror stories of glow plug snapping off), but the quote offered to me is half of what the Mercedes quoted (£560). It's quite a prescripted approach of repairing than educating the customer. The best thing about the local garage that I experienced today is that they allowed me to have a look by myself, rather than taking the car into the isolated and secured workshop while I wait outside and giving me a hefty quote and a fear in the end.

I take your point Tinkerer, as similarly advised by some friends, that they might not be that big of a problem during winters. However, was concerned (probably due to my lack of experience of diesel cars) that, if at all they need changing without leaving me any option, it might turn out to be a bigger expense (again, just referring to the cylinder head stories that costs over a grand..)

Would love to hear suggestions from the experienced members...

 

[mersum1es]

Bad injector cause idle humping, trouble in starting etc.

That you are suffering 'black death' (cylinder pressure is blown by the injector) does not mean that injector is bad, only copper seal is needed to replace. But again, the injector may broke when trying to remove it, or diagnose software may have given readings that told about the worn injector, so change is justified then. Injector can be determined either by electrical correction value via sds, measuring the tank fuel leak, or testing in bench. First can be done in home garage with proper diagnose device and second needs only couple plastic pipes .

I would keep glow plugs functioning, at least that will ensure better balanced cold start. It is true that inline CDI engines are not requiring glows, but it will use them even in UK climate.

 

[Vish]

Many Thanks mersum1es for your suggestions.

I would love to learn to do it myself, but never handled anything like this before, nor I have got the garage or tools to do it myself, I am left with no option than to rely on the workshop.

Yes, the technician did mention that only copper seal replacement might do the trick. Do you think this 'might' stop the juddering or idle humping?

Also, what I ve noticed today is that there is weird noise near the driver's side when I turn the steering wheel around corners. I did read that power steering fluid might require inspection. Is that something visible under the Bonnet?

Or do you think there might be a different cause to this?

As always, any suggestions are appreciated. Really happy to see this community helping fellow members.

 

[Vish]

Right, heard back from mechanic yesterday that the injector was easily out and that he got the new injector for the car (apparently, this was to be fitted in yesterday but did not hear from him yet so I reckon it will be Monday now).

However, glow plug no. 3 was causing problem and haven't heard anything back from him. Feeling nervous while the clock is ticking...