SEC1939

my 2005 CDI sat in cold parking lot for 4 days, temp about 10 when I got back. Took some doing for her to start and stay running, 3-4 attemps

has 130,000,miles, all new glow plugs, new filter and I assume winter blend fuel from a volume filling station.

Car is in a non heated garage most times, Never an issue starting but I do notice more blue smoke on cold days when first started. Fuel econony is still great.

bfisher

Is there a question? are you asking if that's normal? 10F is pretty cold for diesel... 4 days of it without running is a lot. I'm impressed it started at all I assume winter blend in the fuel - else it would be frozen solid.

What I've found helped mine start better when cold is to glow it - and wait 5 or so seconds after glow light goes off. Then glow it again and wait... then turn it over.

SEC1939

some good tips. I have had this car for 6 years and I have had it sit out in colder weather longer and it would start the same as it would in the summer. With fuel economy and powere the same I would say the pump and injectors are fine. Perhaps it is the batch of fuel? Or.. when the glow plugs were changed this summer the worng ones were installed? Is this possible?

06e320cdi

I would assume the wrong glow plugs were installed. The 11v ones were probably used, they should be the 5v. Wrong ones wont pitch an error, but will not get hot enough. If you had a fuel gelling issue you would have to tow it to a garage to warm up. Have the service dept. that did the plug change pull one. I have left mine out for a few days last winter and temps were below 10 without issue.

edwinwalke

I would agree that the wrong plugs are installed. I installed Bosch 11Volt plugs in my 06 CDI and had starting problems at 20 degrees. Did the engine run rough once running -- if so you got the wrong plugs installed.

SEC1939

yes it does run rough when first started even at 20-30 deg out. How do I make the argument with the service dept?

mtrevelino

Look at your receipt, if it says Bosch 80036 on it, they are the wrong plugs. It should say Beru, with a part number of 001 159 51 01. You will find all the information on this site by doing search for Beru. You can do a search on the Beru part number and see the results.
Good Luck!
Mike T.

edwinwalke

Someone is going to have to remove one of the plugs to verify the problem. it is really simple if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. One other though - do you have the invoice for the install? See if it has the brand or part number of the plugs that were installed. The Bosch plugs are 11 volts and have no after glow. This results in a hard start and rough running with smoke until it warms up a bit.

Did a Mercedes dealer install the plugs? My guess is it was an independent who installed what the parts shop sent. I see these Bosch 11 volt plugs being sold at many on line parts stores.

06e320cdi

Where are you located, maybe another member nearby will help you out with some documented ammunition to approach the dealer. All the dealer has to do is look up the TSB regarding this issue. Heres the TSB
Campaign No. 2006070003, October 2006
FILE:
SERVICE: GROUP 00 OF SERVICE INFORMATION BINDER
PARTS: GROUP I OF INFORMATION _ PARTS & ACCESSORIES BINDER TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ CENTERS
SUBJECT:
MODEL 211, MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 REPLACE GLOW PLUGS
This service campaign has been initiated because DCAG has determined that on the affected vehicles (see VIN range below) the incorrect glow plugs may have been inadvertently installed in customer vehicles during the last workshop visit due to an error in replacement part documentation. This may result in poor engine performance.
Please review the Effective Serial Number chart located below.
Included is a sample copy of a letter which owners of the affected vehicles will receive.
Prior to performing this Service Campaign: - Please check VMI to insure the vehicle is involved and to determine if the vehicle has been previously repaired. - Please review the entire Service Campaign bulletin.

edwinwalke

Don't think there is a TSB. The MB OEM 5 volt plugs work perfectly and would be what a authorized dealer would install.

SEC1939

I should be able to get to them. Are they under the plastic cover? IS there a PN visable or do I need to take one out to check?

The work was done by an independent. A good guy so I think he would make it right.

Really appreciate everyones help on this.

edwinwalke

You will have to take one out unless the invoice specifies what your indie installed. If it was the Bosch 80036 -- that is the problem.

06e320cdi

Mike T. who posted here had this issue with an indy also. You have to remove them to see the part number.

SEC1939

my Mechanic looked up what he put in and they are 001 159 51 0 the correct ones.

Is it possible the wrong Glow Plugs were in the right box? Guesing I need to pull one out to check.

Steve

06e320cdi

The problem was that there were some Bosch plugs marked on the boxes with that number which are 11v The Beru brand are the correct ones. Instant message Mtrevelino, he can explain exactly what he went through the same issue.

mtrevelino

When my Indie first installed the incorrect glow plugs, he purchased them from the Mercedes dealer, where he purchases all his Mercedes parts. After noticing on my invoice (and about two weeks later) that he installed the Bosch 80036 glow plugs, I had him pull them and he went to the Mercedes dealer in which they gave him the correct ones. Just because either the dealer or Indie installed the glow plugs, I would still pull one to make sure the plug says Beru 5V. Mercedes has a habit of using the same part numbers that may supersede another part.
Mike T.

SEC1939

my mechanic will swap out the glow plugs at NC. Thanks for all the help. Back to good cold weather starting

jimbo1763

Do you know whether they were the wrong ones that were installed?

SEC1939

yes 99% certain they are wrong. I'll know more Monday when I have the new ones put in. If they were correct I doubt the replacement would be at NC. Feel kind of bad. Wonder if he was sold the wrong ones? If so I'd think he could get his money back

edwinwalke

Bosch never would acknowledge the ones I was sold were wrong. They maintained that they were correct. I finally got tired of fooling with them and told them they could stick um where the sun doesn't shine and the band don't play.

SEC1939

not sure where he purchased them from? An independent shop did it. I think he gets parts from MB dealers. But that being said these things are indeed tricky

jimbo1763

Don't worry too much about him. I bet that this sort of thing happens a lot more often than we think, and things have to be returned for all sorts of reasons. If he has been in business for a while, he already has a relationship with his supplier that will withstand something like this.

And his stepping up will keep you coming back to him.

mtrevelino

I also felt bad for my Indie to have to change them out for no additional labor costs, so I threw him a bone and had him change the fuel filter at the same time. I figured that he would at least recoup some of his labor costs.
Mike T.

SEC1939

good point. I have had this guy do lots of work for me, suspension, water pump, filters, brakes. Had he pushed back I would have moved on but since he did not he's my guy

SEC1939

new correct glow plugs solved the problem, what a difference it made. Thanks again for all the input