Spark Plug light on dash

[sarah.grandon]

Afternoon lovelies.. CLK 320 CDI had trouble starting before, one turn but took few seconds to fully start. Then symbol lit on dashboard... Service is overdue, is this something that I can change without costing the earth... fingers crossed x


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[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hi..not well up on diesels...no sparkplugs though.
Could be the heater/injectorsmall. Someone better versed will be along soon no doubt.

 

[sarah.grandon]

Oh right.. ok love... thanks x


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[DSM10000]

As Woody says; you do not have spark plugs but do have glow plugs, these pre-heat the combustion space to aid starting, especially in cold weather.

If it is the glow plug light it indicates a problem with one or more of the glow plugs or the circuit that supplies them.

If the car is starting relatively easily without clouds of smoke on start up then it does not sound overly serious, glow plugs are easily changed.

Your local MB specialist can easily diagnose the problem and fix it if it is one of the plugs

 

[David404]

What should happen when you start a diesel

Turn key to 2nd position - dash warning lights come on including the glow plug light looks like a wire coil.

When the glow plug light goes OUT you turn the key to engage the starter and let go. the engine should fire almost immediately.

If when the engine has started the glow plug light comes back ON and stays on for 20-30 seconds before going out again its telling you one or more glow plugs have failed and or the relay that powers them is faulty.

As others have said a good Independent specialist will diagnose and sort easily.

Diesel engines don't have spark plugs.

 

[sarah.grandon]

Thank you ... I feel like a right muppet thinking I had spark plugs... I hang my head in shame... will I have problems starting it tomorrow morning?? X


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[DSM10000]

Thank you ... I feel like a right muppet thinking I had spark plugs... I hang my head in shame... will I have problems starting it tomorrow morning?? X


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No need for any embarrassment! If you did not know then you could not know!

If it started today then I doubt it will be a problem tomorrow, the very high injection pressures help to atomise the fuel and aid starting, glow plugs only really become necessary in sub zero temperatures.

 

[sarah.grandon]

Arhhh thank you, I will give the garage a call in the morning.. any clue on how much I should be paying for it?? First thing I have had to sort on car?? Oh actually it is still in warranty.. is this covered ?? [emoji848] x


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[DSM10000]

Arhhh thank you, I will give the garage a call in the morning.. any clue on how much I should be paying for it?? First thing I have had to sort on car?? Oh actually it is still in warranty.. is this covered ?? [emoji848] x


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Who is the warranty with? Some might see glow plugs as service parts as they do wear out. Check your warranty terms and conditions, you said it is overdue a service. by how much? Some warranty companies may use this to exclude cover.

Until the problem is diagnosed it would be guess work on cost assuming warranty does not cover it.

 

[Bigdrew]

Afternoon lovelies.. CLK 320 CDI had trouble starting before, one turn but took few seconds to fully start. Then symbol lit on dashboard... Service is overdue, is this something that I can change without costing the earth... fingers crossed x


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Hi is it just the service overdue that you want to get of
Your dashboard

 

[sarah.grandon]

Hi, no love I was wondering what it meant and if it would cost the earth to fix?? I need to get her serviced as well tbh x


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[David404]

I had 4x glow plugs fail on my E320 (3 litre V6 engine) I elected to replace all 6 glow plugs. Job don't by independent MB specialist £240 inc VAT from memory.

Minor service £150'ish by independent specialist
Major service £350'ish again by independent specialist BUT can rise to £600'ish if it needs gearbox and rear axle service too.

 

[219]

I had 4x glow plugs fail on my E320 (3 litre V6 engine) I elected to replace all 6 glow plugs. Job don't by independent MB specialist £240 inc VAT from memory.

Minor service £150'ish by independent specialist
Major service £350'ish again by independent specialist BUT can rise to £600'ish if it needs gearbox and rear axle service too.

When the glow plug light came on on my W124 E250D , I went to Euro Car Parts and bought five Beru glow plugs for something like £2 each ( yes two pounds ) .

The job took a little longer than it ought because I had to remove the inlet manifold for access , and a couple of the old plugs were tight , so I had to spray in penetrant and ease them back and forth , but the whole job took me a couple of hours out of my Saturday afternoon - no special tools required , just a socket set and a bit of patience .

 

[roadhog]

Access on a 320CDI is likely be less than on any W124 so more labour intensive and if you happen to snap a plug you're in a world of pain. Plenty of horror stories about.
Since the car is (over)due a service, why not take it to a decent indie and get them to investigate while they're servicing it? Plug it into Star and they should be able to tell you exactly what's needed and how much it'll hurt your wallet.

 

[David404]

Best solution is to find a good independent (Indie) and build a relationship with them. Had my current E320 for 12 months and been using the same Indie, WDM Cars in Bham. prior to this I has 3x Saabs back to back an used the same Saab Indie for best part of 15 years. Got to know the folks in reception and the workshop, they treated me well.

Had engine management light issues on the Saab several times, took car and asked if they could tell me what it was, most times they fixed on the spot, couple of times had to take car back they never charged me for plugging into the Saab equilivent of the Star (TECH II). Current workshop haven't charged for plugging into Star either, in both cases they knew they would get the work and that I'd be back in the future.

Would suggest OP gives us broad indication as to where she is based and perhaps somebody can recommend an Indie local to her.

 

[sarah.grandon]

Hi lovely, thanks so much for that ... I'm really wary of which garage to take to, I'm in Southport?? Haven't a clue where and to be honest when I took her for a winter check at Mercedes they mentioned it could be £1,000 for service [emoji33]!! Stuck really as to where to take that I can trust?

I know problem for everyone but as you can tell I love cars but don't know anything under the bonnet.

Thank you guys x


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[Smart320]

Am sure one of the member local to you will advise where good Indi can be found . If you search the forum you will find a section on these, I know there is a very good one just off the M53 at Bromborough but expect there will be one nearer which will save you a run through the Wallasey Tunnel

 

[David404]

Mechanically my E320 will be very similar to your CLK320 in terms of service requirements. When I got mine it was overdue service and of course needed the biggest service in the book. Large Scope Service + a gearbox service and the rear axle. Total bill was £630 Inc VAT. would think that a reasonably average price for that work at a reputable Indie.

Am sure somebody will come along with local knowledge and a recommendation.

 

[sarah.grandon]

Hi is it just the service overdue that you want to get of

Your dashboard

Hi love, yeah will it balls up the computer?? It's due an mot soon and I'm wondering if I should take it to MB or a reputable garage?? Worried about the price.. hate being ripped off [emoji848] x


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[Smart320]

A Dealer will be expensive, much better to go to a Indi who specialises in Mercedes, but not any local garage . Probably the cost will be 35 to 40 % cheaper than a main dealer, my recent A service at an Indi was £250 v. £ 375 at the local MB dealer.
No doubt someone local to you will recommend an Indi