B
bassbluestew
Guest
I had this done yesterday and just wanted to share the experience.
Firstly let me qualify everything to come by stating I am NOT a mechanic but will try to use the proper vocabulary where appropriate and if I know it, otherwise, well I'm sure you'll know what I'm getting at.
So, my 1998 300td estate W210 was a bit rough on cold start in the morning, particularly cold mornings. Since I've only had it 2 months and it's done 85k miles ( since new - bot in the last two months !! ) I thought the glow plugs might need changing.
There a mechanic acquantance lives across the road and I mentioned to him I was thinking of doing this/ having it done at some point, he says " I'll do it for you tonight if you like". So he duly get the glow plugs ( £100 for all 6 ) and fits then in about 1 and a half hours or so, total bill £150.
It looked really easy, the maifold cover had to come off, but all 6 came out no bother and access was relatively straightforward, certainly not difficult. I reckon I could do the job myself next time.
Three of the glow pugs were gubbed, very, very sooty and the other three didn't look too clever either.
It's starting much better and seems to be running smoother too ( I Know it shouldn't as the glow plugs only affect the start up, but it really does seem to be better. )
Whilst he was under the bonnet he noticed that the wheel thingy had come off the end of the Air Con compressor, and he popped that back on, I was wary of hearing lots of squealing as I feared the compressor may be gubbed but the air con is now much colder so I reckon it may just have worn loose over the last 10 years. The a/c is ON when the red light is OFF, is that right ??
Anyway, all seems hunky dory.
Oh he did mention something about my battery being different form normal batteries in that it doesn't charge from the alternator fully, but if it goed flat it needs to be charged from a charger. Now I'm sure he sadi either Calcium or Ceramic, but I'm not sure, anyone cast any light on this ??
Happy motoring,
Stewart
Firstly let me qualify everything to come by stating I am NOT a mechanic but will try to use the proper vocabulary where appropriate and if I know it, otherwise, well I'm sure you'll know what I'm getting at.
So, my 1998 300td estate W210 was a bit rough on cold start in the morning, particularly cold mornings. Since I've only had it 2 months and it's done 85k miles ( since new - bot in the last two months !! ) I thought the glow plugs might need changing.
There a mechanic acquantance lives across the road and I mentioned to him I was thinking of doing this/ having it done at some point, he says " I'll do it for you tonight if you like". So he duly get the glow plugs ( £100 for all 6 ) and fits then in about 1 and a half hours or so, total bill £150.
It looked really easy, the maifold cover had to come off, but all 6 came out no bother and access was relatively straightforward, certainly not difficult. I reckon I could do the job myself next time.
Three of the glow pugs were gubbed, very, very sooty and the other three didn't look too clever either.
It's starting much better and seems to be running smoother too ( I Know it shouldn't as the glow plugs only affect the start up, but it really does seem to be better. )
Whilst he was under the bonnet he noticed that the wheel thingy had come off the end of the Air Con compressor, and he popped that back on, I was wary of hearing lots of squealing as I feared the compressor may be gubbed but the air con is now much colder so I reckon it may just have worn loose over the last 10 years. The a/c is ON when the red light is OFF, is that right ??
Anyway, all seems hunky dory.
Oh he did mention something about my battery being different form normal batteries in that it doesn't charge from the alternator fully, but if it goed flat it needs to be charged from a charger. Now I'm sure he sadi either Calcium or Ceramic, but I'm not sure, anyone cast any light on this ??
Happy motoring,
Stewart
