E
EekoGeek
Guest
Having started perfectly through all the sub-zero weather, my '98 w210 E300TD, 112k, started displaying the glow plug warning after starting, running on less than all cyclinders for a minute or so and producing a white cloud of smoke on start up. After a couple of minutes (and before reaching operating temperature) it would be back to running well.
Reading a few helpful posts here (thanks!) it looked like the culprit was the glow plugs. The local merc specialist took a look at it and agreed, so I had all the plugs changed. The light has gone out and starting is better but I still get a few seconds of running lumpy and a (smaller) white cloud.
Obviously, I will get back to the mechanic, but thought I would log in here for some expert opinion.
Three addition bits of info that may be significant:
1. Looking back over the service record (afterwards - doh!) i notice a complaint about rough starting and that the glow plugs have been changed c. 12k miles ago
2. The mechanic noted that the glow plugs that came out had quite a lot of black crud on them
3. I'm running on 100% biodiesel
Thanks for any thoughts!
Simon
Reading a few helpful posts here (thanks!) it looked like the culprit was the glow plugs. The local merc specialist took a look at it and agreed, so I had all the plugs changed. The light has gone out and starting is better but I still get a few seconds of running lumpy and a (smaller) white cloud.
Obviously, I will get back to the mechanic, but thought I would log in here for some expert opinion.
Three addition bits of info that may be significant:
1. Looking back over the service record (afterwards - doh!) i notice a complaint about rough starting and that the glow plugs have been changed c. 12k miles ago
2. The mechanic noted that the glow plugs that came out had quite a lot of black crud on them
3. I'm running on 100% biodiesel
Thanks for any thoughts!
Simon