Changed my E320cdi Glow Plugs

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Wighty

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Had one of mine done a few wks ago. Indie wanted to change them all, but I said see how the failed one comes out first. He said it was very tight, so only did that one.
This is what I did a couple of years ago , just changed a failed one . The reason I changed all of them was that I've heard couple of times that when a gp fails it can blow the relay ?
I'd not long since fitted a nice new £130 relay , so for me the 10 years , 100k miles change of plugs for £50 was an easy calculation .
I had also noticed a bit more smoke at the rear when accelerating (very small amount ) , one of the reasons can be gp's not working at full efficiency .
 
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Because WD40 is a water displacer (as its name suggests ;)) ..... not a release/penetrating fluid :)
That's what I understand as well
 

Tony Dyson

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.... and Plusgas is freely available from stores at work .... :rolleyes:;)

Now THAT makes more sense :) WD 40 originally developed as a water displacement is now advertised as an allrounder, just as Plusgas is, "WD-40® Multi-Use Product protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture and lubricates almost anything." and there are also specific WD formulations sold as Specialist Penetrants for those awkward jobs. I'm sure there is nothing to choose between them! :)
 
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Going to try to change plugs on the wife’s ML-320 this weekend and looking for any practical advice I can get. I did mine a few years ago without issue but reading some of the horror stories I am now a little paranoid.

I have soaked the glow plugs in WD40 for a few days and plan to take the car out for a run before I start to get it nice and hot. Any other tips eg, max torque to back out etc...

I see lots of kits on eBay to help extract broken plugs. Has anyone experience of using these on the 320CDI ?? The videos look simple but as always they show you how to do it on a very accessible plug, not the same recessed application that I have.
Get yourself a cheap electrical plug pulling pliers from eBay
 

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Many thanks guys, I will buy some Plusgas on the way home tonight.
 

umblecumbuz

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I haven't got one that will do the job pal :oops: . Might keep them for a future check just out of interest though .

Any battery above 9 volts will work. Just a bit of wire - no bulb needed.
Once the wire is connected to one battery terminal and the glowplug is connected to the other, just a brief touch of the wire on the glowplug to complete the circuit will give you the answer.
If there is a spark, the glowplug works.
If there is no spark, the plug is duff.
 
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Any battery above 9 volts will work. Just a bit of wire - no bulb needed.
Once the wire is connected to one battery terminal and the glowplug is connected to the other, just a brief touch of the wire on the glowplug to complete the circuit will give you the answer.
If there is a spark, the glowplug works.
If there is no spark, the plug is duff.
Good to know , the used GP's all passed a resistance test using my multimeter . The decision to change them was more time/mileage related , and I'm treating the old girl to some sensor freshen ups at 10year/100k miles .
 

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Any battery above 9 volts will work. Just a bit of wire - no bulb needed.
Once the wire is connected to one battery terminal and the glowplug is connected to the other, just a brief touch of the wire on the glowplug to complete the circuit will give you the answer.
If there is a spark, the glowplug works.
If there is no spark, the plug is duff.

Be aware that glow plugs get stupidly hot very very quickly if you apply 12 volts to them ..... apparently :oops:
 

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This is what I did a couple of years ago , just changed a failed one . The reason I changed all of them was that I've heard couple of times that when a gp fails it can blow the relay ?

He said (and I've read too) that once one goes the others won't be far behind. The glow plug light has been coming back on for a few months but haven't detected any difference in starting or running, but of course that was through summer.

The car only does a few K per year (on 95K now) and I always have it my mind that I'll change it when the opportunity arises. I was pretty surprised it just passed MOT with no particular issues.
 

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Tighten them slightly before trying to loosen them breaks the seal.

I've done same, just a nudge clockwise rather than any turn. Then back in a teasing in / out style.

If there is a spark, the glowplug works.

If the controller is already goosed this could be the shorted GP that took it out.

The older larger GP's were rated at 11.5 volts, so 12 volt testing no issue,
but as the new ones are rated at 4.4 volts I would expect a 12 volt test to test them to oblivion.
 

Larkone

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The gods were smiling on you to have such an easy time of swapping the GPs out - congrats.
 

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Ignorance is bliss :D
There is a lot to that, if you're aware of the pitfalls I believe you're more likely to suffer as you're aware of them.
 
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Wighty

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There is a lot to that, if you're aware of the pitfalls I believe you're more likely to suffer as you're aware of them.
I was super confident to do the job , because the glow plug I removed a year or two ago , came out really easily :D
 

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