Seized glow plug e320- how risky to remove?

[Shell 2003]

E320 with glow plug 2 needing replacing (doesnt like starting in cold weather). Couple of garages dont want to attempt the removal of the old glow plug incase it snaps and knackers the engine. Car done around 170k, no service history. What would you do? Risk the fix or is it game over?

 

[renault12ts]

Not wanting to start in cold weather is not likely to be because of one glowplug.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

stick a mutli meter across them one at a time , you might find a few that's knacked .

 

[panason1c]

CDI engines will start easily without glowplugs, its much more likely your bad cold starting is caused by bad seals on the underbonnet fuel pipes allowing air to seep into the system.

 

[Shell 2003]

STAR came up with glow plug 2 fault. the coil light stays on for quite a bit after starting- not sure if this is related. I've bought all 6 glow plugs and ideally wanted them all changed but as people have said it might be risky removing seized ones, I thought it would be wise to change just the faulty one that STAR noticed. Anyone had any luck removing seized ones on an E320? Thanks for the replies, will get fuel pipes checked

 

[bob6600]

The problem with seized plugs is they can snap and then require drilling. Worst case scenario is you will need to take the head off to remove. There are specialists/experienced mechanics who are very good at removing them but you should know what can happen. A very hot engine and pre-soaking will help with removal. As mentioned above, your starting problem is most likely unrelated to the glow plugs.

 

[E270 Owner]

E320 with glow plug 2 needing replacing (doesnt like starting in cold weather). Couple of garages dont want to attempt the removal of the old glow plug incase it snaps and knackers the engine. Car done around 170k, no service history. What would you do? Risk the fix or is it game over?

They come out if your careful
and if not they still come out

Tools and technique is all that's needed.

 

[E270 Owner]

CDI engines will start easily without glowplugs,

Disconnect a CDI glowplug relay and try to start the car.

its much more likely your bad cold starting is caused by bad seals on the underbonnet fuel pipes allowing air to seep into the system.

The problem is only on cold weather starting if it was air in the fuel system it would be hot/cold starting.

 

[AkisGr]

It will probably also be the glow plug relay.
I also had issues with cold start. Not serious ones,but it could take 5-10 seconds to start. It showed only glow plug 6. I changed it and a day later the coil on the dash came back on.
The diagnostic then showed glow plug relay.
So later on ,i changed the relay as well (together with the rest of the plugs cause its good to renew the plugs when you change the relay), and the cold start problems were solved.
Its been about a couple of months since,and had no issues,neither with the starts nor with the coil on the dash.

I think we might also have the same engine. An indie specializing on Mercedes can easily change them all.

 

[panason1c]

Originally Posted by panason1c View Post
its much more likely your bad cold starting is caused by bad seals on the underbonnet fuel pipes allowing air to seep into the system.

The problem is only on cold weather starting if it was air in the fuel system it would be hot/cold starting.

Not necessarily so......when its cold, old fuel pipe seals become hard resulting in air ingress but when they warm up the seals become more supple (as when they were new) and then seal more efficiently.

 

[panason1c]

Disconnect a CDI glowplug relay and try to start the car.

My cdi ML will start easily without the glowplug circuit connected, I know that for a fact!,

MB cdi engines do not depend on glowplugs to start.....

 

[a111r]

Cheap E320cdi cylinder head still available...

 

[Thirstymerc]

I saved the link below so I had it for reference when I play with the GPs on my ML270. These should be the same plugs that your e320 runs. It says that the failure moment is 35Nm. I can't be sure but I thought there might be an argument for say setting a torque wrench to 30Nm and trying to loosen the plug. At least then if she doesn't come out you've got a better chance of not shearing it off. Mind you who knows how the 1000s of cycles of hot/cold have effected the failure moment stated.

https://www.rexbo.eu/beru/glow-plug-gn003?c=100152

Also bear in mind as others have said it may be the relay. Internal of the GP relay each glow plug has it's own fuseable link. These are known to blow. Some people have repaired them though you'd want to be well versed in fuse wire amperages and soldering. Below is a link to a video of a relay being repaired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIid_eUT19w