If I only knew...

[sineda]

Today my pre-facelift B180 CDi glow plugs light came on, it stays on for the first 2 minutes and then goes off. The light will only come back once the engine is fully cold, which if I understand correctly, is the right thing because glow plugs are used to help diesel engines start up in cold weather.

The problem is that no indie garage wants to take this job because apparently a B-Class is a nightmare job to do - that is, replacing the glow plugs because a lot of things needs dismantling as well as the coolant draining (form what I heard), etc. I called a local MB garage (not main dealer) and they quoted £499! They also said that if the glow plugs are hard to take out, stuck or snap, then they'll need to call an engineer, meaning the cost goes up to £799!! FOR FOUR GLOW PLUGS?!?!?!?! I kind of lost the will to own this B-Class now. Are all Mercedes this hard to replace or is it just the B-Class?

 

[Naraic]

Forget about it...glow plugs in cdi engines aren't really needed.

 

[sineda]

Forget about it...glow plugs in cdi engines aren't really needed.

Really? I mean, they are there for a reason, right? So why doesn't a CDi engine needs these plugs? Will I not suffer during winter?

The thing that bugs me the most is the light on the dash.

 

[Naraic]

cdi s run at much higher pressure than the previous diesels.

 

[sineda]

cdi s run at much higher pressure than the previous diesels.

Thanks for the reply. This is a piece of mind for the time being, however I'll research more into this as I am afraid that the car won't start when the temperature reaches below 5 degrees.

 

[Sylar]

Be intrested to know what happens when the frost comes back!

 

[Frosty149]

Be intrested to know what happens when the frost comes back!

Someone call?

 

[Frosty149]

IMO (I don't know your car or circumstances):

Most likely only 1 plug has failed, they are a pig to access and sometimes seize in situ leading to snapping, hence the reluctance you have experienced...
No damage will result from running the car in this situation, but a Siberian winter might result in some starting issues if more fail. Do you garage the car overnight? Can the work be postponed to next major service where it might become cheaper as part of a 'package'?
More experienced members will be able to provide more definitive information on running the vehicle without working glow plugs and provide some contacts for you...

 

[Wighty]

Using a small disposable BBQ below the engine in sub zero temps to pre warm the engine will aid starting (maybe )
I haven't tried this myself though .

 

[EmilysDad]

Using a small disposable BBQ below the engine in sub zero temps to pre warm the engine will aid starting (maybe )
I haven't tried this myself though .

Not so different from the parrafin sump heaters that were aroind in the 50s and 60s

 

[Wighty]

Not so different from the parrafin sump heaters that were aroind in the 50s and 60s

I remember , but my joking suggestion shouldn't be tried at home

 

[range rover]

Using a small disposable BBQ below the engine in sub zero temps to pre warm the engine will aid starting (maybe )
I haven't tried this myself though .

I know you are only taking the P***, but I have thought that an electric blanket under the engine bay would be a good idea in winter to help the diesel reach it's most economical temperature as fast as possible.

 

[Sylar]

Lol

I know you are only taking the P***, but I have thought that an electric blanket under the engine bay would be a good idea in winter to help the diesel reach it's most economical temperature as fast as possible.

..... im going right off these Mercs!

 

[Wighty]

I know you are only taking the P***, but I have thought that an electric blanket under the engine bay would be a good idea in winter to help the diesel reach it's most economical temperature as fast as possible.

That or a garage . I thought range rovers have timeable pre heaters anyway .

 

[Wighty]

Lol


..... im going right off these Mercs!

Love is sometimes irrational

 

[range rover]

That or a garage . I thought range rovers have timeable pre heaters anyway .

Hey! Hold on, it's only a pen name! Never actually drove a range Rover!

 

[Wighty]

Hey! Hold on, it's only a pen name! Never actually drove a range Rover!

Funny , I thought you must have ! Maybe an aspiration for the future after your electric blanket burns your car this winter

 

[range rover]

Funny , I thought you must have ! Maybe an aspiration for the future after your electric blanket burns your car this winter

Ha Ha , actually the idea of an electric blanket and the risk of fire from engine oil, I don't have any leaks from my car anyway led me to think along the idea of a coil of water pipes with heated water passing through, I think actually that would be a good job. It would be on a timer of course and in a garage.

 

[Wighty]

Ha Ha , actually the idea of an electric blanket and the risk of fire from engine oil, I don't have any leaks from my car anyway led me to think along the idea of a coil of water pipes with heated water passing through, I think actually that would be a good job. It would be on a timer of course and in a garage.

It's an idea but I wonder if the cost of heating water is more than the cost of waiting for engine to warm to maximium efficiency . Also factor in the cost of pulling your boiler down the road when you have forgotten to unplug it

 

[Wighty]

Sineda , I'm sorry for going off topic .