W211 320CDI V6 Glow Plugs

[SL300-24]

Had to change a glow plug in the W124 Estate last week.

Now it is the W211's turn. Showing the glow plug warning once started for a short while which then goes out.

Firstly I do not have star. Am I right in thinking that if I put a meter from earth to the glow plug centre after removing the cap, I should NOT get continuity unless the plug has gone "open circuit"?
If the plug is good I should get no buzz from the meter when earthed is that correct? as this was the way that I tested my W124 and it worked.

Secondly the plugs are small at 8mm is there anything to watch when doing this job on the V6?
I appreciate that the engine should be hot and the plugs may snap off if you try to undo at more that 25nm according to WIS.
Should I use penetrating oil before I start or just set to with the engine hot?
Am I correct in saying that the tightening torque is 10nm for the glow plugs and should I coat the thread in copperslip? Main Dealer wants £280 to change one plug so I think I need to DIY it.
Thanks

 

[kg9]

Had to change a glow plug in the W124 Estate last week.

Now it is the W211's turn. Showing the glow plug warning once started for a short while which then goes out.

Firstly I do not have star. Am I right in thinking that if I put a meter from earth to the glow plug centre after removing the cap, I should NOT get continuity unless the plug has gone "open circuit"?
If the plug is good I should get no buzz from the meter when earthed is that correct? as this was the way that I tested my W124 and it worked.

Secondly the plugs are small at 8mm is there anything to watch when doing this job on the V6?
I appreciate that the engine should be hot and the plugs may snap off if you try to undo at more that 25nm according to WIS.
Should I use penetrating oil before I start or just set to with the engine hot?
Am I correct in saying that the tightening torque is 10nm for the glow plugs and should I coat the thread in copperslip? Main Dealer wants £280 to change one plug so I think I need to DIY it.
Thanks

Just had this done on my 211 ( 2006 76000) cost £156 to change all 6. They're about £12 each

 

[SL300-24]

Interesting, I was quoted £18 odd plus VAT each. The price above was to change 1 glow plug. To change the other 5 was the cost ofthe extra 5 plugs plus an extra half an hour? labour.

They want £75 just to diagnose the problem. To be honest I would not go there anyway, would use my local indy.

 

[SL300-24]

Can someone confirm that if when checking with a ohm meter, if you get continuity by touching the centre tip of the glow plug with the red lead, and earth with the black, the the glow plug has gone open circuit and will be faulty.

Thanks

 

[joecash]

easy enough job for a good local garage or an indy - rough guide for changing glow plugs is £20 a pop - stay away from main dealers, unless your quite happy to overpay

 

[DPP]

easy enough job for a good local garage or an indy - rough guide for changing glow plugs is £20 a pop - stay away from main dealers, unless your quite happy to overpay

Main dealer price:
Glow plug (1) remove/Install and, if necessary, replace £105.30
Glow plug £15.70
Total £121.00

This was added during "A" minor service. Next time I'll be going to an indy.

 

[BillyW124]

i got to replace one of the plugs on our 211 as well.

We replaced all of them not so long ago and a bit cheesed off that one of them has gone again.

Need to get my indy to stick it on star and see which one it is. i'm probably just going to use the working one out of the 'old' set we took out last time.

 

[BTB 500]

I've had a second one go on the Vito. It's only just hit 50k miles ... first went at 35k, IIRC. At least with 5 others working it doesn't really affect starting! But they do seem prone to failure. Our Audi was on 160k miles with the original plugs when we sold it.

 

[bob6600]

Is it causing a problem starting?

I have had this on my W210 for a while, never causes a problem starting so have left it alone. I will get round to it, but will only replace what is needed, don't think there is a need to replace them all unless they are faulty

 

[SL300-24]

No problem starting but I just like the car to be 100%....

 

[Danny DeVito]

Can someone confirm that if when checking with a ohm meter, if you get continuity by touching the centre tip of the glow plug with the red lead, and earth with the black, the the glow plug has gone open circuit and will be faulty.

Thanks

Continuity will mean short circuit in the plug, but the resistance is quite low in plugs so remove and test by connect with battery. If it glows it works. Replace if u feel u want to. Shorted plugs may damage the relay.

 

[SL300-24]

Thanks all sorted today, went nice and easy with no problems glow plug came straight out.