E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Can I change the glowplugs on my E320 CDI?

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Old 09-18-2008, 12:13 PM
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2005 E320 CDI
Can I change the glowplugs on my E320 CDI?

I took my car into the dealership because the check engine light was on, and I noticed the glowplug light has been staying on longer than usual.

They said there is a bad one and they want over $500 to replace it. They said part of the reason is that they have to remove the intake manifold and there is a lot of labor involved.

My question is: Can I do it myself?

I am very compotent at mechanics and was a diesel mechanic on big rigs for a dozen years. I have a lot of tools but no special "mercedes tools".

Also, is this a case of "While you are there, just replace them all"? or just replace the bad one?

Advice would be greatly appreciated. It is a 2005.
Old 09-18-2008, 01:26 PM
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You should not need to remove the intake manifold when replacing glow plugs from this engine.

But the plugs may be tight, actually so tight that they break, the hexagon breaks off. You would then have to drill the rest of the plug off and that doesn't work well without very special tools.

There are different views about changing all or just one, I would change them all.

$500 is expensive if the plugs come out easily but if they break, 500 would be very cheap for the task.
Old 10-03-2008, 08:41 PM
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Replace glowplugs

It happen twice.
First, dealer took care of it under warranty.
Second time I did it myself since the warranty was gone.
It took me 10 minutes.
You have to take engine cover off. The glowplugs are accessible, right in top of the engine.
30 sec with a tester to find the bad one.
Overall easy process.
I would say: try it first.

Good luck
Old 10-03-2008, 08:59 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Check

mercedesshop.com for the diy or alldatadiy.com or get a one day subscription to http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/
for the factory WIS get the proper glow socket spray it down with kroil from kano labs and replace them all per the wis.$500 is insane and typical of the dealers.
Old 10-03-2008, 09:39 PM
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I've had one replaced uner warranty.
Old 10-04-2008, 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Palanuk
I took my car into the dealership because the check engine light was on, and I noticed the glowplug light has been staying on longer than usual. They said there is a bad one and they want over $500 to replace it. They said part of the reason is that they have to remove the intake manifold and there is a lot of labor involved. My question is: Can I do it myself?
Also, is this a case of "While you are there, just replace them all"? or just replace the bad one? It is a 2005.
211.026

Warranty:

(1) DTB P-B-15.20/66 JUL08 Check engine light illuminated with glow plug fault codes check the glow plug electrical line. If no fault found in wiring, replace all glow plugs.

(2) Long shot, is your vehicle within VIN range A530155 – A835762?
https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....7&postcount=28

DIY

MB recommends replacing in sets (6): part #A0011595101 ($30 list / 24 net). Procedure: https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....2&postcount=13 (WIS AR15.20-P-4111T Remove/install glow plugs)
Old 10-04-2008, 12:24 PM
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I don't even remember posting that...

Originally Posted by konigstiger
211.026

Warranty:

(1) DTB P-B-15.20/66 JUL08 Check engine light illuminated with glow plug fault codes check the glow plug electrical line. If no fault found in wiring, replace all glow plugs.

(2) Long shot, is your vehicle within VIN range A530155 – A835762?
https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....7&postcount=28

DIY

MB recommends replacing in sets (6): part #A0011595101 ($30 list / 24 net). Procedure: https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....2&postcount=13 (WIS AR15.20-P-4111T Remove/install glow plugs)
Old 10-04-2008, 03:15 PM
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Looks like Palanuk has not posted on this forum since the question in this thread.

He mentioned one of the plugs was bad, I guess at this time we would know how it got fixed if he wanted to let us know, I doubt he has been waiting this long for the advice.

If it really was bad, I doubt he would have managed with $500 if doing it himself (it would need expensive tools worth more than $500).
Old 10-05-2008, 04:03 PM
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2005 E320 CDI, 2009 SLK350 (wife's toy), 2007 ML320 CDI,2001 dodge 1 ton diesel
I had the check engine light come on. Took it to the dealer, they said #4 glow plug was bad, but not to worry about it, it would be OK. I went to the local NAPA dealer, and got all 6 glow plugs for $18 each, and did it myself. it only took about 30 minutes, no special tools required, other than a deep socket, extension and ratchet. Car had about 70,000 miles at the time.
Old 11-05-2012, 02:55 PM
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Chalk me up on the list of #4 going bad also.
Old 11-05-2012, 07:32 PM
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I know glow plugs can be tough, but where have you been for 8 years!!

Last edited by Plutoe; 11-05-2012 at 07:40 PM.
Old 11-15-2012, 02:49 PM
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Does anyone know how to get the connector off the glow plug? I pulled and am afraid its going to break it. Does it have a lock?
Old 11-15-2012, 04:14 PM
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They snap on and snap off-----can you rotate the connector??
Old 11-16-2012, 10:20 PM
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Thanks. I used a pair of angled needle nose and after the first one came off all was well.

I replaced 3.
Old 11-17-2012, 06:57 AM
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Nice job!!!
Old 06-07-2014, 03:05 AM
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how hard i have to squeeze the connector tabs in order for it to come off?
Old 06-09-2014, 10:17 AM
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
The connector just pulls off. You squeese to make sure your pulling the connector and not the wire.
Old 06-10-2014, 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by rediesel
The connector just pulls off. You squeese to make sure your pulling the connector and not the wire.
how hard to pull it? Can I use my hand to pull? Sorry for being noob!
Old 06-10-2014, 08:41 AM
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You can but you run the risk of separating the connector and the wire. Some have more access than others. I bought special pliers to pull it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sprinter-Glow-Plug-Plier-/131208123506?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e8c9d1472#ht_44wt_1264
Old 10-18-2014, 06:34 PM
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2005 E320 CDI
Number 2 glow plug

On my 2007 CDI, my number 2 glow plug failed at 20,000 miles and today I got another fault at 130,000 miles for the same glow plug.

Could this be a wire problem and not a glow plug problem? I'll go ahead and measure the resistance on all of them and see if the #2 is really faulty.

Peter
Old 10-21-2014, 05:36 PM
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Wow -----you are alive it's been 8 years since your last glow plug issue---before you start a new story---tell us what happened back in 08--that post is older than my grandson----so make it a good one!!
Old 10-21-2014, 08:16 PM
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2005 E320 CDI
2005 E320 CDI failed at 20,000 miles

Sorry, it isn't very exciting as the car sat unsold for a while so it had 20,000 miles on the ODO January 2010 so it was really only four years ago (and 100,000 miles ago) that #2 glow plug failed.


Curiously, I traded a 1992 300TE for it in 2009 with 340,000+ miles on it. That car was stolen and turned up three weeks later with bullet holes in the dash. I assume during some illegal activities.


Oh, it also turned up with extras, (half a box of condoms).
Old 10-22-2014, 06:13 AM
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Ok great--talk to you in 2020 enjoy!!
Old 09-04-2020, 03:12 PM
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08 GL320 CDI
It’s now 2020
Old 09-04-2020, 03:30 PM
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2005 E320 CDI
More glow plugs through the years

Glow plugs are kind of like spark plugs in their installation and shape. I have had a few more fail since 2014.

2014 glow plug #2 failed and replaced
2015 glow plug #1 and #3 failed so I pulled all of them and put on anti-sieze
2016 glow plug #5 failed and replaced
2017 glow plug control module failed and replaced
2018 glow plug #6 failed and replaced

I also got some leaks around the fuel injector seals (copper washer looking things) that filled the injector holes with stinky diesel sludge. I used a face reamer to clean the seating surface and put new seals in. The seals are probably the least expensive thing Mercedes dealerships sell. Something like $0.20 each.

The car still runs so well at 230,000 miles, I just had the front repainted. Looks like new.

Peter


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