ML 270CDI glow plugs

psmart

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tamrsoft said:
Great piccies, where is this relay located ?
Its located, looking from front of car to back, on the Bulkhead, right side, to the right of the Brake reservoir.

If the Glow Plug light comes on 'all' the time, then suspect this module, pull it out, open it up and look at the Fuseable Links, chances are 1 or more will be burned out.
 

Dudger

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Hi
Sorry to drag up an old thread as my first proper post :rolleyes:

My engine is the 5 cyl turbo deisel as used in the big sprinters - mines a Vario 612.

Light comes on - goes out - i start engine - light comes back on till things have warmed up (anywhere from 20 secs to a couple of minutes)

From this post im suspecting glowplug or plugs but not relay box

is this basically the same engine as you are discussing in this thread - ? and if so do all the previous comments about plug shear apply - because if you think Merc workshops are dear for a car, you want to try a 6 ton truck for getting stitched up :D
 

psmart

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...6 ton truck.... join the club, I drive a 5.75tonne PHGV :)... for leisure though, not work.

In answer to your question, I think so! Just done a check and the Vario 612 has the 2.9 engine! I mistook it for the Sprinter and I have no data on the 2.9 engine.

If the light is staying on permanently when cold, then its the relay box, otherwise you have glow plugs down. The glow plugs and shearing seem common to all Mercs, as far as I can tell reading the posts.

Are you brave enough to try yourself? I wouldnt say Im a muscle builder, but the ease with which I sheared the glow plugs indicates you might need a petite ladies grip!

Anything I missed out on the description, please let me know and Ill post it up.
 
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Dudger

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Mines actually 5750KG too - checkout http://www.brisbane.co.uk/camper
So very much for leisure :D

Ill have to have a go myself - needs a service i think - have not been able to get its service history from sheffield where it was an initial services laundry van in its previous life.

Its engine is the same as the Sprinters - they do both 4 and 5 cyl deisels in them. (5 cyl in the ones you see doing a ton in the fast lane - mine tops out at 75 - 80 , dare not go faster cos 4000 rpm is 78 mph and the tacho/clock only goes to 5000 - but it is as aerodynamic as a brick ):p

Also needs a new belt cos mine shudders a bit - but i have not yet worked out where the edjustment is ? - i fitted a new alternator and just popped the belt over the top idler roller - that may have an eccentric ? but i have not managed to get the service disks from anywhere yet to find out. - dont know hardly anything about deisels. - so a steep learning curve is in order.
Going to france in it soon so have to get it sorted.

Mine is pretty rare body wise - fleet of about 12 - I know where 4 or 5 of em are tho :shock: (Horsebox/camper*2 or 3/bike and sidecar race truck)
 

psmart

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Going off topic a bit.......

but heh, shared information is whats its all about :)

Mine is actually Gross Vehicle Weight 5tonne, Gross Train Weight 5750Kg and as I almost always have the 'little un' being towed behind, its at this weight most of the time (if not more!!!!). Have been to a weighbridge several times to get the axle weights right.

I got mine cheaply as it was a Prototype on the new Fiat Chassis used for Fairs and Demos and was advised it would have problems... and that it certainly has in the living quarters, most all sorted now :) ... luckily I wanted to heavily modify it in the technical department, so sorting out problems was part of the course. The Fiat unit has been very reliable though. I would have liked a Merc unit, but couldnt justify an extra 17Grand on top of list price over a Fiat chassis and couldnt find a Merc Prototype/ex-demo one, so the Fiat will have to do.

You look very very handy with woodworking.... nice job.

Hope you have success with the Glow Plugs, cheap enough if you do it yourself, just be very careful to do things like heat the engine up to full running temperature, use penetrating oil (although this wont be of use if there has been a slight leak, as all the threads will have carboned up, apparently another known problem, thats why Merc use a sealing compound on the Glow Plug flange (Not Threads) when they replace them, then over tighten them slightly).
 

steve kane

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Older C Class Glo-Plugs

Hello everyone, well we have an older P Reg C250 Diesel (non Turbo) which has been an excellent starter untill now, the GloPlug warning light comes on for what has always seemed quite a short time, just a few seconds, goes off and we try to start, the engine fires on perhaps one cylinder and cuts out, then its a real effort to start, Im assuming its Glo Plugs/cold weather but I also see in the Haynes Manual (what a crappy offering that one is!) that the timing of the GloPlugs is determined by a coolant temp sensor, and oddly we have not had any warning of GloPlug problems indicated by the warning light coming on after starting, could it be the sensor preventing the gloplugs getting really warmed up in the colder weather? also Im hopeing that my plugs are easier to remove than with the newer engines, I think they are located on the side of the Head under the Inlet Manifold, does anyone know what these are like to change and do I have to remove the Manifold?
all advice gratefully recieved,
Steve.
 

kebo57

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Beru glow plugs £9.50 each

My ML 270 glow plug light comes on stop on for about 40 sec's not all time maybe 1 in 10 when warm light does not come on
bit the bullet got five new plugs from a friend who as a car accesory shop he also has a merc car so he can get some service part, same as what would be fitted buy mb stearlership as above Beru glow plugs £9.50 each not a bad price, lets hope when I change them every thing is ok
 

kebo57

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270 cdi glow plug change

Hi all had a go at changing the glow plugs not such a bad job apart from one being tighter than the others
I soaked in plus gas for a couple days warmed engine up as said earlier in this post I had visions of striping the thread on the one that was tight, used a 10 mm ¼ drive 6 sided long series socket undid as little as possible and tightened up back to same position then same again but undid a little further maybe eight our ten times till I felt confident that it could be moved say about 1/6 of a turn but the thing was squeaking all the way out.
The number five is bad to get at had to remove the header tank for the water I unclipped the throttle cable and the pipe the ones that run along the front of the tank, pulled the tank forwards under those pipes enough to disconnected the wires at the back of the tank and release two water pipes at the right which are held with rubber grommets then pulled tank forwards about 6 inches to give access to the fifth plug with out interfering with the coolant also had to snip the cable tie that holds the wiring loom that goes along the top of the engine so you can lift the wires to get the socket down on the plug.
Cleaned the threads in the head as best as I could, copper slipped the thread on the plugs and replaced them they were a bit spongy on tightening them up I sort of nipped them the undid them a few times to get them tight.

“Now no warning light when engine as started”
 

type49

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As for the earlier petrol/diesel mix thread for very cold climates, I wouldn't recommend this over here. I see at least 1 diesel per week with petrol in the tank and if run untill the engine stops - and it will, this usually results in a new pump required as it relies 100% on the oil in diesel fuel to lube it. As soon as petrol washes the oil away, it's useless. If you are very unlucky, you may also bugger up your injectors and at £300+ each, the kids won't be getting any presents this christmas!
 

Blobcat

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type49 said:
As for the earlier petrol/diesel mix thread for very cold climates, I wouldn't recommend this over here. I see at least 1 diesel per week with petrol in the tank and if run untill the engine stops - and it will, this usually results in a new pump required as it relies 100% on the oil in diesel fuel to lube it. As soon as petrol washes the oil away, it's useless. If you are very unlucky, you may also bugger up your injectors and at £300+ each, the kids won't be getting any presents this christmas!
Petrol diesel mix is ok but only on non high pressure cdi diesels
 

emlclcy

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Its located, looking from front of car to back, on the Bulkhead, right side, to the right of the Brake reservoir.

If the Glow Plug light comes on 'all' the time, then suspect this module, pull it out, open it up and look at the Fuseable Links, chances are 1 or more will be burned out.

I've a 316 sprinter, went to start her up and the battery was flat flat! After a jump start she ran fine but the glo plug light stays on. When i got her home (about 5miles) i turned off the ignition and removed the + battery lead, there was a biggish spark so i'm hoping the relay contacts have shorted or something.
Is this the best place to talk about sprinters?
Its an xlwb that i'm converting to a mobile home
 

womble2005

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ML164 Heater plugs

I have had the same experience of plug failure but at no cost. I have an ML280cdi sport, almost 3 years old and covered 112k miles. had the same lamps up etc and booked in. Merc dealer called to say they had a problem and had to have new heads(could not get out two plugs). Was then told that this would be covered by warranty so smiles all round. When it came back all shiny and hoovered, also FOC, it is much quieter and feels better. When the heads are changed do they have to re engineer the valves etc? Sorry not very mechanically minded.
 

emlclcy

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Hi
Sorry to drag up an old thread as my first proper post :rolleyes:

My engine is the 5 cyl turbo deisel as used in the big sprinters - mines a Vario 612.

Light comes on - goes out - i start engine - light comes back on till things have warmed up (anywhere from 20 secs to a couple of minutes)

From this post im suspecting glowplug or plugs but not relay box

is this basically the same engine as you are discussing in this thread - ? and if so do all the previous comments about plug shear apply - because if you think Merc workshops are dear for a car, you want to try a 6 ton truck for getting stitched up :D

my 316 sprinter had this exact same problem, it turns out the relay has a common (software) problem, yes there is a computer in the relay box, you will see the power in from battery lead, the connector for the glow plugs and a 2 pin plug which must carry serial data from the main ecu to talk to the relay unit so it looks like the computer crashes leaving the glo plugs on! (not fixable i belive) so if your light comes on then pull the cable out of the glo relay before it kills your glow plugs (still starts just need to crank a bit longer)
carl hampshire
 

rash2138

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glow plugs

my 316 sprinter had this exact same problem, it turns out the relay has a common (software) problem, yes there is a computer in the relay box, you will see the power in from battery lead, the connector for the glow plugs and a 2 pin plug which must carry serial data from the main ecu to talk to the relay unit so it looks like the computer crashes leaving the glo plugs on! (not fixable i belive) so if your light comes on then pull the cable out of the glo relay before it kills your glow plugs (still starts just need to crank a bit longer)
carl hampshire

Hi; ihave the same problem with glow plugs lamp staying on,ihave looked for
the relay box but i can't find it any idea my ML is Y plate.
thanks
 

rpe2

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On your ML it is likely to be a plug or plugs.

Get the engine vvvvv hot before removing plugs to minimise problems with the sticking..
 

rash2138

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hi richard

thanks for your help but do you know where is the relay box because i need to take the car to the garage where i can change them but i don't want to drive the car with the heating bulb on so i need to unplugue it first.

rash
 

rash2138

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Its located, looking from front of car to back, on the Bulkhead, right side, to the right of the Brake reservoir.

If the Glow Plug light comes on 'all' the time, then suspect this module, pull it out, open it up and look at the Fuseable Links, chances are 1 or more will be burned out.

Hi;sorry to bring this up again but my one is a Y plate 2001 and i can't find the box where you have described it.

thanks
 

M.B.S.

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spot on my friend,but would allways use genuine merc glow plugs as others dont seem to last as long
 

rpe2

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hi richard

thanks for your help but do you know where is the relay box because i need to take the car to the garage where i can change them but i don't want to drive the car with the heating bulb on so i need to unplugue it first.

rash

I don't think that you'll do much damage just driving it to the garage to get it fixed.
 


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