[hangtenclayon]

Greetings gentlemen,

I have been having some cold start issues since the weather got a little colder here in Texas. Whitish smoke emits from the exhaust for about 45 sec after start and I could tell that one of the pistons was not firing properly for the same duration. Once it fires though, all is well and she drives like a champ. Got out the multimeter yesterday and checked the resistance of all 6 plugs. Plugs 1-5 all had resistances of 0.6-0.9kΩ. Number 6 was a different story, coming in at 75kΩ. What's depressing is that I replaced the plugs 2 years ago (with Bosch) and have only put about 20,000 miles on the car since then. At any rate, I have decided to do the glow plugs myself and wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything. My checklist is below.

• 
  Anti seize for the plugs.
  Gasket for intake manifold ($129 on AutohausAZ, yikes!)
  6 Bosch glow plugs ($18/plug on AutohausAZ)
  T40 torx and some good pliers.

After inspecting the car today, it looks like I will need to remove the throttle linkage then the part of the manifold that crosses over the engine. From there I can remove all the screws to the manifold and get access to the plugs. Please say a prayer that none of them break.

Clayton

 

[sbaert]

BEFORE you get started, find the engine harness built date tag behind the battery splash shield.

IF the harness build date (marked F.D. xx.xx.xx) is made prior to 98 (last set of digits), do NOT even begin this job until you have a new harness on hand.

Being a '95 diesel, it suffers from the same eco junk wiring crap as the gassers.

As far as testing the glow plug circuit, see link.

Mercedes Diesel Glow Plug Repair

Also suggest you put in a brand new MB or KAE(hler) OVP relay.

BTW, you got hosed on the intake manifold gasket. I just put in a new one a few months back, directly from parts.com for about $20-25.

ONLY use Bosch or Beru glow plugs, and you must use Lubro Moly anti seize lube on the new plug bodies to avoid it from seizing in the head AND you must have the OM606 specific glow plug reamer prior to putting in the new plugs. Not reaming the prechambers will result in shortened glow plug life.

 

[sbaert]

BEFORE you get started, find the engine harness built date tag behind the battery splash shield.

IF the harness build date (marked F.D. xx.xx.xx) is made prior to 98 (last set of digits), do NOT even begin this job until you have a new harness on hand.

Being a '95 diesel, it suffers from the same eco junk wiring crap as the gassers.

As far as testing the glow plug circuit, see link.

Mercedes Diesel Glow Plug Repair

Also suggest you put in a brand new MB or KAE(hler) OVP relay.

BTW, you got hosed on the intake manifold gasket. I just put in a new one a few months back, directly from parts.com for about $20-25.

ONLY use Bosch or Beru glow plugs, and you must use Lubro Moly anti seize lube on the new plug bodies to avoid it from seizing in the head AND you must have the OM606 specific glow plug reamer prior to putting in the new plugs. Not reaming the prechambers will result in shortened glow plug life.

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

...I didn't see a glow plug reamer on your list. you guys use them on w124's? Im only familiar with the w123 diesels and a reamer to get the carbon out before installing new gp's is recommended.

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

BEFORE you get started, find the engine harness built date tag behind the battery splash shield.

IF the harness build date (marked F.D. xx.xx.xx) is made prior to 98 (last set of digits), do NOT even begin this job until you have a new harness on hand.

Being a '95 diesel, it suffers from the same eco junk wiring crap as the gassers.

As far as testing the glow plug circuit, see link.

Mercedes Diesel Glow Plug Repair

Also suggest you put in a brand new MB or KAE(hler) OVP relay.

BTW, you got hosed on the intake manifold gasket. I just put in a new one a few months back, directly from parts.com for about $20-25.

ONLY use Bosch or Beru glow plugs, and you must use Lubro Moly anti seize lube on the new plug bodies to avoid it from seizing in the head AND you must have the OM606 specific glow plug reamer prior to putting in the new plugs. Not reaming the prechambers will result in shortened glow plug life.

...didn't see that first go round.

 

[hangtenclayon]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Luckily I haven't purchased the parts yet. I was hoping I would get some feedback on the price. Sounds like parts.com is the way to go.

I had the harness replaced in 2009 with one that didn't contain that bio degradable crap so I don't have to worry about that.

Regards,
Clayton

 

[hangtenclayon]

I am an idiot...Was looking at the wrong gasket on autohausAZ. It's only $13.11 haha.

 

[binuya]

Maybe also do injector return lines and check the crankcase breather fitting while you're in there. Those are relatively inexpensive items.

 

[hangtenclayon]

Is there a glow plug reamer that you guys would recommend? This one looks pretty good but not sure if there are better alternatives.

https://mercedessource.com/store/e300d-diesel-all-steel-glow-plug-reamer-long-port-version


I am considering taking detailed pictures with steps etc if it would be helpful to other forum members. If there is already something similar though, I wouldn't want to post needlessly. What say you all?

 

[sbaert]

That reamer should work fine, although my experience with mercedessource is so-so, fair at best. I got my reamer from Baum Tools.

Take your time removing the old glow plugs. Work them out gently, and work the wrench back and forth upon the first of resistance. This is your best insurance against having the plug breaking off in the head.

 

[hangtenclayon]

That reamer should work fine, although my experience with mercedessource is so-so, fair at best. I got my reamer from Baum Tools.

Take your time removing the old glow plugs. Work them out gently, and work the wrench back and forth upon the first of resistance. This is your best insurance against having the plug breaking off in the head.

Thanks for the advice sbaert. I was searching through the forum and found an old post when you first acquired your diesel and you were wondering about the throttle linkage. My plan is to remove the rubber ball and socket joints and then remove the bolt on the top of the housing. From there it looks like I will need to remove all of the bolts that secure the black plastic cover that goes over the top of the engine. Does that sound right?

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

...i think i got mine from a place called t.p. tools. last mercedes sorce ones i saw looked like somebody was still learning to weld.

i dont know if its been mentioned but its best, easier for you to change them out when the motor is warm.

 

[sbaert]

Remove all linkages and vacuum connections

Remove cross over tube

Remove black engine cover.

Remove intake manifold w/ electrical & vacuum connections

Suggest you get the proper reamer tool from baumtools.com. Tool#B606-0053

 

[binuya]

I purchased the mercedessource reamer and it performed flawlessly. It's well made and functions smoothly without any slop. Not sure how it compares price wise with other brands, but I'm satisfied with mine. Besides, they're relatively close to me so standard shipping is usually a day or two.

 

[hangtenclayon]

I swear MercedesSoure is patrolling this thread. Just went to check on their reamer again and the price shot up to $58 from the $46 that was listed yesterday.

 

[Deserion]

I swear MercedesSoure is patrolling this thread. Just went to check on their reamer again and the price shot up to $58 from the $46 that was listed yesterday.

Well the main page does say there was a 20% discount on glow plugs and the reamer through Thanksgiving. That may explain the price jump (back to usual).

 

[sbaert]

IF you do end up ordering from mercedessource.com make sure you get either Bosch or Beru glow plugs. No exceptions.

Based on my experience with them, they have a bad habit of advertising one brand and then substituting with a inferior brand while charging you the premium price. That's what happened when I ordered my voltage regulator. Was sold a Bosch regulator, but received a Meyle. When I called them about it, they said no worries "it's all good". Yeah right, that Meyle part went straight in the trash.

Buyer beware

 

[hangtenclayon]

IF you do end up ordering from mercedessource.com make sure you get either Bosch or Beru glow plugs. No exceptions.

Based on my experience with them, they have a bad habit of advertising one brand and then substituting with a inferior brand while charging you the premium price. That's what happened when I ordered my voltage regulator. Was sold a Bosch regulator, but received a Meyle. When I called them about it, they said no worries "it's all good". Yeah right, that Meyle part went straight in the trash.

Buyer beware

Thanks for the heads up. That is bad business on their part. I ordered the Bosch plugs, anti seize, the gasket, and extra vacuum hoses from autohausAZ. They have always been easy to deal with and it saved a lot on shipping ordering from the same location.

Decided to go with the MercSource reamer. I will let you all know how it performs.

 

[augapfel]

1) Wow, is that glow plug reamer long!

2) I bought a fuel strainer/fuel level sender 46mm socket from MercedesSource and I thought the welding was sloppy. Works fine but, for a $45 socket, it bugs me anyway.

 

[Bruce Sloane]

best, easier for you to change them out when the motor is warm.

isn't that an Aluminum head ..???