Glowplug light illuminates - Help !!!

[Astonblade]

Hi all

Took delivery of my first MB yesterday - C220 Saloon 2004 - and I absolutley love it. I bought it privately so no warrenty. On a couple op occasions the glowplug light has lit up for a minute or so, but then goes off. The car starts and goes fine, in fact its a dream. Can anyone tell me if the light coming on indicates a problem? As I've just bought it, I'm skint beyond belief, so I'd prefer not to visit the dealers.

Any help and advice greatfully received

AB

 

[mercs]

you will have 1 or several glow plugs that are not working they are about £15 from mercs and are not too bad to fit but make sure the engine is hot as they have a tendancy to break
hope this helps

 

[chris heap]

light illum

hi there, same answer as mercs.also if it ever stops on all the time the glow plug relay has gone or the power supply to the back of the relay has corroded off. this engine in this country doesnt really need glow plugs so you could just ignore it if it doesnt get on your nerves. alot of my ex customers did this on sprinters. chris

 

[wireman]

Just ignore it at your peril.

As has been said you've got at least one duff plug, without preglow your engine will be a swine to start on very cold mornings, and the cylinders which are not preheated will suffer from the fuel washing those cylinders of lubricating oil, something to avoid methinks in spite of it being only for a short time while the engine gets a little heat into it.
An important feature of the glowplug system is controlled post start glow which helps to smooth the engine whilst just started and alleviate the risk of bore washing.