W203 CD270 Glow Plugs

[fred52]

I have read many reports that warn about the damage that can be done if the glow plugs fail in the 270 Diesel Engine. My car has done close to 55k from new. Is there a recommended age or mileage at which the glow plugs are repalced as a precaution and what kind of price might be involved?

Many thanks - I do find this a very informative forum

 

[type49]

There is no "set" age or mileage. I've worked on these for many years & only a handfull have been seized. Don't forget, most people on these forums are here due to a problem with their car, so we only the bad ones. They should be an easy jod to do at home, if so, take your time & don't force anything. Chances are, you'll get them all done & wonder what all the fuss was about

 

[Uncle Benz]

Start dosing them now with wd40 or similar once a week. By the time you need to remove them, them they will hopefully be easy peasy...

 

[fred52]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions so far.............

....I think I will leave well alone, but act on the WD40 tip.

 

[wireman]

Dont bother with WD40 it might make the risk of sizure greater, WD40 is a Water Displacer that sets into a sticky goo at ambient temperatures what it does when heated is set harder, it is not a lubricant although it does make things slip whilst it is freshly wet.
Use a pentrating oil they are designed to help not hinder removal of rusting screwed assemblies.
My wd40 tip-
Forget it its only any good at moving water and what it leves behind is often trouble. If you want to keep wet of an ignition system use a can of stuff formulated for ignition systems.

 

[exeng]

As above i run an engineering company which removes broken glow plugs etc 90% of the time it is the element on the bottom of the plug that swells causing it to sieze in,Ihave gone to a broken glow plug where the thread has screwed out easy only to leave the rest of the plug in the head.

 

[Suki]

Hi,
I have had this happen to me in the past. I was able to get the plug out using a local company which drilled out most of the plug and then used a slide hammer to get the remaining piece out.
The advice I was given was to, every couple of years, open/close them.
The guy who did it used a white grease . This stuff is a bit like copper grease, but not conductive.
(Same thing happened to my dads vito van!)
Regards
SUki

 

[type49]

Yep, use white grease as a lube, not copperslip. No good for removal though, only for refitting the new ones.

 

[fred52]

Many thanks............

.....for all the helpful tips and tricks - especially the one NOT to use WD40