how long should the glow plugs work?
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1984 mercedes benz 300d
how long should the glow plugs work?
I have a 1985 300d. The last 300 I had was an 83 and the glow plug light stayed on for about 8-10 sec. It would not start well unless I let the light go out before cranking.
Well this new one. lol. will start just like a gas car without any glowplug time at all. if I do let the light turn on and off by its self then the light only stays on for about 3 seconds.
The car is very low on power when cold untill the turbo kicks in or untill it warms up. By the way what is warmed up for this car. the last one ran at the mark above 80 c. this one runs at 80 c or less.
Thanks for your input
Keith
Well this new one. lol. will start just like a gas car without any glowplug time at all. if I do let the light turn on and off by its self then the light only stays on for about 3 seconds.
The car is very low on power when cold untill the turbo kicks in or untill it warms up. By the way what is warmed up for this car. the last one ran at the mark above 80 c. this one runs at 80 c or less.
Thanks for your input
Keith
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From: Federal Heights, CO
1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
Glowplugs should last 2-10 years.
The car should run at or slightly above 80*C. If its less then change your thermostat and temperature sensor/sender in the head.
The car should run at or slightly above 80*C. If its less then change your thermostat and temperature sensor/sender in the head.
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1984 mercedes benz 300d
oops. I mean how long should the light stay on Before I start the car
Thanks for the info. What I should have asked is how long is the light supposed to stay on for. or
How long are the glow plugs supposed to glow for prior to starting the car?
Thanks.
Keith
How long are the glow plugs supposed to glow for prior to starting the car?
Thanks.
Keith
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,116
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From: Federal Heights, CO
1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
The light turns on for 2-5 seconds depending on how warm the engine/air is and the glowplugs will keep working for 30 seconds or until the starter is used. The light is only a suggestion, not how long they are actually glowing.
Last edited by 240D 3.0T; Jun 15, 2008 at 05:36 AM.
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
If one of them is bad sometimes the glow plug light will not illuminate at all. I think it has to be #1, but I can't recall it has been so long.
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I have a 1985 300d. The last 300 I had was an 83 and the glow plug light stayed on for about 8-10 sec. It would not start well unless I let the light go out before cranking.
Well this new one. lol. will start just like a gas car without any glowplug time at all. if I do let the light turn on and off by its self then the light only stays on for about 3 seconds.
The car is very low on power when cold untill the turbo kicks in or untill it warms up. By the way what is warmed up for this car. the last one ran at the mark above 80 c. this one runs at 80 c or less.
Thanks for your input
Keith
Well this new one. lol. will start just like a gas car without any glowplug time at all. if I do let the light turn on and off by its self then the light only stays on for about 3 seconds.
The car is very low on power when cold untill the turbo kicks in or untill it warms up. By the way what is warmed up for this car. the last one ran at the mark above 80 c. this one runs at 80 c or less.
Thanks for your input
Keith
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel. You don't even pause for a second. It's exactly like starting a gas engine. And the grunt is unbelievable.
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W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
I had an '83 SD with the same engine, I think. It was a while ago, but I don't think they even had a light in the W126. They just told you to wait a few seconds.
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel. You don't even pause for a second. It's exactly like starting a gas engine. And the grunt is unbelievable.
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel. You don't even pause for a second. It's exactly like starting a gas engine. And the grunt is unbelievable.
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From: Atlanta, GA
1987 300 SDL
Glow plug light
W126s they have a light, as mine takes about two seconds. I always wait for the light to turn off since I was told it will take life away form the glow plugs.
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel (A class) and not only was it fast but gave me like 48 MPG. Wife and I went from Frankfurt to Baumholder to Paris and back with three fill ups. Is about the size of a Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, but MPG and torque way better...It was a good looking model too, looked like a mini R class.
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel (A class) and not only was it fast but gave me like 48 MPG. Wife and I went from Frankfurt to Baumholder to Paris and back with three fill ups. Is about the size of a Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, but MPG and torque way better...It was a good looking model too, looked like a mini R class.
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From: Kirkland (seattle) washington
1981 300D euro manual, looking for a 94-95 E320 kombi
W126s they have a light, as mine takes about two seconds. I always wait for the light to turn off since I was told it will take life away form the glow plugs.
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel (A class) and not only was it fast but gave me like 48 MPG. Wife and I went from Frankfurt to Baumholder to Paris and back with three fill ups. Is about the size of a Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, but MPG and torque way better...It was a good looking model too, looked like a mini R class.
Last time I was in Europe I rented a modern turbo-diesel (A class) and not only was it fast but gave me like 48 MPG. Wife and I went from Frankfurt to Baumholder to Paris and back with three fill ups. Is about the size of a Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix, but MPG and torque way better...It was a good looking model too, looked like a mini R class.
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w123 300td 1985
glow plug light was intermittent, now it is out
glow plug light was intermittent, now it is out, last week i had to turn the key about 2 or 3 times and it would show the glow plug light, now it doesn't anymore,
i checked for power on the glow-plugs, they all receive power ( i used a probe light) for about 10 seconds, then the power is gone, could that mean the plugs are actually still working and only my light is broken or has a loose contact?
any suggestions are appreciated
thanks
i checked for power on the glow-plugs, they all receive power ( i used a probe light) for about 10 seconds, then the power is gone, could that mean the plugs are actually still working and only my light is broken or has a loose contact?
any suggestions are appreciated
thanks
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From: So CA
1984 300D,82 Volvo Diesel
glow plug light was intermittent, now it is out, last week i had to turn the key about 2 or 3 times and it would show the glow plug light, now it doesn't anymore,
i checked for power on the glow-plugs, they all receive power ( i used a probe light) for about 10 seconds, then the power is gone, could that mean the plugs are actually still working and only my light is broken or has a loose contact?
any suggestions are appreciated
thanks
i checked for power on the glow-plugs, they all receive power ( i used a probe light) for about 10 seconds, then the power is gone, could that mean the plugs are actually still working and only my light is broken or has a loose contact?
any suggestions are appreciated
thanks
If you live in the US; Harbor Freight sells inexpensive Volt/Ohm Meters (Multimeters).
Go to the Diesel Giant site where he has a pictorial on how to check your Glow Plugs with the Meter.
http://www.dieselgiant.com/glowplugrepair.htm
Another issue is that Carbon build up around the Glow Plugs allows some of the heat to be transfered into the Cylinder head instead of heating up the Air in the Cylinder like it is supposed to.
If you remove any Glow Plugs you should Ream or use an alternative method to clean the Glow plug holes so that the new Glow Plugs will last longer.
My recommendation to go to the Diesel Giant site does not extend to buying stuff from him; as I think he is a little overpriced on most of what he sells.
Last edited by 300Dman; Jan 23, 2010 at 10:12 PM.
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w123 300td 1985
thanks for the links, doesn't sound so hard to do, and i have all the tools,
my car is converted to veggie fuel as well, so it will be a little harder to get to the plugs since there are a lot of things in the way, but i will give it a shot...
thanks
nebojsa
my car is converted to veggie fuel as well, so it will be a little harder to get to the plugs since there are a lot of things in the way, but i will give it a shot...
thanks
nebojsa
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Posts: 1,116
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From: Federal Heights, CO
1982 300D VNT, 1980 240D 3.0T, 1982 300TD
