E300 D Broken glow plug- MB Indie who can fix it??

[r4fster]

Hi Guys,

My first post, I know it sucks but I'm a long time lurker!

Just bought a M reg E300 Diesel, the preglow light was coming on after starting so I knew there was an issue.....

When I went to change the plugs I found that the first glow plug has already been broken off, with a small stud sticking out!!

I live in High Wycombe in Bucks, does anyone know any specialist MB mechanic who can get it out??

Car still drives fine...

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Many Thanks

 

[Number_Cruncher]

Have you had the inlet manifold off, and looked at the others yet?

 

[Dieselman]

Try this technique or rent a proper drill kit from http://www.uniteddiesel.co.uk/diesel_engine_products/13/

There are companies that do this job using the drill kits.

 

[r4fster]

Have you had the inlet manifold off, and looked at the others yet?

not yet, the first bolt on the inlet manifold does not want to budge, used plenty of plusgas. Ended up rounding the torx but then hammered alan key shape in, tried again, still nothing so will see if regular mechanic(non MB specialist) will have something to get it off...

Judging by what I can see though, they seem to be quite shiney so possibly replaced by the person who broke the first one

 

[r4fster]

Try this technique or rent a proper drill kit from http://www.uniteddiesel.co.uk/diesel_engine_products/13/

There are companies that do this job using the drill kits.

thats some very useful equipment but I think my skills are not up to it

Do you know of any company that provides removal service? or is it going to cost an arm and leg?

 

[Dieselman]

Ask your local garage if they know anyone that offers this service.

Here is a DIY approach to your problem. I missed the link off the previous post.
http://alan.mcreynolds.googlepages.com/howtoremovebrokenglowplugs-mercedesom606

 

[230K]

Hi

If you have 5 good plugs, the broken one isnt leaking?? and she is starting fine etc i would leave it the way it is. In my opinion it wont do any harm just be a bit lumpy for first 20 secs or so after it starts.

Any other option is £££££ for what in return??????

Just my opinion though.

230K

 

[r4fster]

just found out how much this is gonna cost, my regular mechanic has a contact for glow plug removal,

he will charge £125 - £150 for removal as he will be coming from far away..maybe I will try to remove all of them at the time so he can fix any other issues...

also my mechanic must strip the area ready for him to work on it (anyone know what parts?)
so maybe another £50 - £100 on top,

total = around £200 -£250

would you say its worth it?

The car has 135K miles and lots of history...so maybe I can keep it for a while...
re: keeping it going as it is...im not sure of the long term effects-are there any? will it not get a lot worse in winter?

 

[Dieselman]

also my mechanic must strip the area ready for him to work on it (anyone know what parts?)
so maybe another £50 - £100 on top,

total = around £200 -£250

would you say its worth it?

Yes it's worth it, but maybe not all the plugs will be stuck. The inlet manifold and possibly the oil filter housing need to come off depending on whether No6 is stuck in.

Try removing thme with the engine hot and idling and unscrew and rescrew a little to try to free them.

 

[bolide]

Can I have a contact number for the glow plug removal specialist, please?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[r4fster]

Can I have a contact number for the glow plug removal specialist, please?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

will get you the details as soon as i get a chance, just been extremely busy this week

 

[Jesse]

If you do hire someone to take out the broken glow plug, then make sure to ream out the hole with a special tool. If your not going to repair it, then make sure the wire lead is not shorting to ground. A cheap non repair can ruin a wire harness. Test the others with a test light. Put the clip on the positive battery post then put light to end of plug, if it lights the glow plug is OK. It's not the best test for a glow plug, just the easiest.

 

[Dieselman]

Another simple way to test is with an ohmeter, they should be approximately 1 ohm when good, but a better test is to power them up.

Fortunately on a Mercedes there is a 12v post in the engine bay. Touch the centre pin on that, then short the outer sleeve to Gnd with a ratchet handle. The plug tip should glow red hot in about 1 second or so.
Be careful though as I've had a shorted plug that didn't glow but the body got very hot burning my fingers. All good fun though..

 

[Jesse]

You're a wildman Dieselman. Good to see we're all the same. Always in good fun.

 

[r4fster]

glow plug not coming out

Bad news today.....

The glow plug removal guy couldnt help....the broken glow plug has been WELDED in!!
someone has gone over the top of the hole and welded it, i dont undertand why??

apparently the head would have to be removed and then maybe the welding could be drilled through and maybe the threading is in tact.....

or get a replacement head

really dont know what to do now....as im sure both those options are gonna cost some serious bucks(dont know how much but im guessing lots)

ps the other glow plugs are in very tight.....tried giving them a go but didnt push it, got one out very easily though.

carry on running it as is? early morning startup is not too bad now but what about in winter...how bad will it get

some advice would be appreciated

 

[bolide]

How do you weld a steel glowplug to an alloy head? I think we should be told...

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[r4fster]

How do you weld a steel glowplug to an alloy head? I think we should be told...

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

he must have broken the glow plug inside and then plugged up the hole by welding it i.e. when I look at where the glow plug would normally be there is a round mound where it has been welded over

Sorry for the misunderstanding....

 

[Dieselman]

It made sense, just drill through the weld and fetch it out, then hellicoil the head if necessary, which if you're careful it won't be.

 

[r4fster]

It made sense, just drill through the weld and fetch it out, then hellicoil the head if necessary, which if you're careful it won't be.

I wasnt at the garage when the spcialist turned up but he refused to touch it

I thought the same thing, im no mechanic but surely common sense suggests it would be the same to drill through the weld....any ideas as to what to do/who to take it to

 

[230K]

Why touch it?? If you can change any of the other 5 as and when they are needed i would leave it as it is.

An E300TD should have little problem starting in the UK with 5 good plugs.

230K