C250 TD Glow Plugs

[GMC]

Hi All

After a bit of advice regarding a niggly problem I have had with my C250 TD (1998)

I have had an intermittent problem with the glow plug light. Intermittently during the first 5 minutes of driving the glow plug light will come on for anything from 10 - 40 seconds then go off again. Somtimes this may happen once, twice, three times, or not at all. Does n't occur once the engine starts getting warm and there is absolutely no degredation in starting performance from cold. I have had the plugs chcked out by Dealer and specialist and was informed that they were all in tolerance.

Anyone had similar experiences or can offer advice, I was thinking that there may be some sort of temperature sensor within the control system that may have some effect ?

BR

GMC

 

[racall]

Hi All

After a bit of advice regarding a niggly problem I have had with my C250 TD (1998)

I have had an intermittent problem with the glow plug light. Intermittently during the first 5 minutes of driving the glow plug light will come on for anything from 10 - 40 seconds then go off again. Somtimes this may happen once, twice, three times, or not at all. Does n't occur once the engine starts getting warm and there is absolutely no degredation in starting performance from cold. I have had the plugs chcked out by Dealer and specialist and was informed that they were all in tolerance.

Anyone had similar experiences or can offer advice, I was thinking that there may be some sort of temperature sensor within the control system that may have some effect ?

BR

GMC

I had the same problem,changed the 5 glow plugs and it cured the problem.
What mileage are you on? If you are going to DIY be carefull as they can get sized and break off>

 

[ManJ]

had similar problem, change all the glow plugs, but done do it yourself! (as i learned) leave it to a pro

 

[Doodle]

had similar problem, change all the glow plugs, but done do it yourself! (as i learned) leave it to a pro

Why so? Changed the 5 on mine without too many problems. Remove the hard pipe that crosses over the back of the engine, intake manifold off.

I used my 450mm breaker bar and a deep 12mm socket to get them off without having to resort to heavy abuse, the only awkward one being the plug on cylinder 2 (looking from the front of the engine) which you have to thread through the fuel pipes to get to. Total job from start to finish was probably around 45 mins.

 

[ManJ]

the only reason i say this is... my glow plug broke in the engine head and gve me so much trouble!

 

[Doodle]

Ah, I see. Yes, that was my primary concern too, hence the use of plenty of careful leverage rather than have to beast them out.

 

[hobbsy]

Sorry to ressurrect and old thread but I did my glow plugs today and it was pretty easy as Dolphin Tech said no 2 is probably the most awkward to get a socket on, managed it in the end with a normal socket and a wobble bar (but couldn't get it fully pushed on).

Also made use of a ~500mm breaker bar but never had to lean on it, you only do them up to 20NM / 15ft/lb so they shouldn't be mega hard to come out though I know what things can get like when they've been in there for years, heat cycled etc.

I found getting the connectors off to be the most fiddly thing.

I fitted Bosch Duraterm as I've heard they are the best ones can you get, about £65 inc VAT for 5.

Also you need to budget just over a tenner for the 10 inlet manifold o-rings.

This is the first real bit of work I've done on an MB (its my first) and after a couple of Audi's and a BMW (turbo replacement, inlet manifold off and on and other jobs) I'd say its the easiest to work on.

It might be a different story on the newer models though...

Fitting new fuel pipes (the problematic plastic ones with the o-rings etc) tomorrow.

 

[BlackC55]

Prime the filter before starting.

 

[hobbsy]

Prime the filter before starting.

I'm not replacing the filter itself just yet.

How do I prime the filter / purge all the air out of the system - other than cranking it over?

If I had the Haynes I'd look it up (mate bringing it over tomorrow).

Other diesels have those squeezy bulb things to pump it through by hand etc.

Thanks.