Glow Plugs

[Cameron0601]

Morning everyone,

I'm looking for a bit of advise regarding my 03 C220 cdi.

I began to have some starting problems last year during the cold weather ending up with being taken to a garage and a heater being put under it for 4 hours before they could get it going!

Have had the same problem this year and again last week it refused to start during the cold conditions. Drained the battery trying to start so the RAC came out and got it going. The mechanic said the battery was fine but in his opinion one or more of the glow plugs must have failed (83k on the clock) and reckoned replacing them should sort it out.

Does this sound right. If so can anyone recommend a good garage. Is it just one of those things?

Thanks in advance for any help

Cameron

 

[M80]

Welcome to the forum.

If one of your glow plugs or more has failed it will be apparent by the glow plug pre heat light staying on.

But here it's accepted that even with poor assistance from the glow plugs these engines will fire up if the battery is cranking healthily.

Often I forget to allow for pre heat even when cold, the engine will fire in a couple of turns or so, rumble lumpy for a couple of seconds and then be ready for go.

For the failure you speak of it would usually be poor battery, lazy starter, poor compression and others with greater expertise might suggest a problem with injectors.

 

[Silver_Star]

CDI's will start without glow plugs down to 0 degrees I believe.

However as Martin mentions in his post if the plugs were at fault you would have the glowplug light staying on the cluster for a while after firing the engine up.

Have you tried a small squirt of Easy Start up the intake?

Can you see any air bubbles in the low pressure clear fuel lines?

 

[ELGRINGO]

Hi as above but suggest injector test carried out, had a few lately same symptoms.

 

[Rich-J]

If it is your glow plugs I have a brand new set of NGK glow plugs for your engine only £20.

 

[dieselman]

It will be either an air leak into the fuel piping or injectors leaking off too much.
Check for air and perform a leak off test.

 

[Cameron0601]

Thanks very much to you all for your advise.

I'm traveling up to Scotland this weekend so have booked it in to have the plugs replaced....however, having second thoughts now.

The glow plug light definatly goes out each time. Had a new fuel pump fitted a couple of years ago (independent garage) which, having thought about it fits in to the problem starting the following winter so what your saying seems to make sense.

I have a limited budget, however would you advise replacing the plugs anyway (have done 83k).

Again, really appreciate your comments

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

If you are using an indie specialist ask him to check the hub/mg values of the injectors and do a leak off test. Only takes about half hour and it least you will know if you have a duff injector or 2.

 

[carloss]

Have you tried a small squirt of Easy Start up the intake?

is it a mercedes benz or an old tractor

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Have you tried a small squirt of Easy Start up the intake?

is it a mercedes benz or an old tractor

A good way of knowing if you have a duff injector though.

 

[M80]

I have a limited budget, however would you advise replacing the plugs anyway (have done 83k).

Since the light goes out as it should I don't see the point in spending the money on new plugs - yet.
That simple job has been known to become difficult and expensive if done in a clumsy way.

Find a good Merc Indie, done right the 1st time has got to be cheaper.