£1,512.00 to replace a single faulty glow plug in my Mercedes Hymer B580 !!

sparkyvanman

sparkyvanman

Joined
Aug 31, 2020
Posts
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Funster No
75,266
MH
Hymer A Class
Exp
2019
Should I spend the money ? . I took my 2019 Hymer to the Mercedes dealer as it had a factory recall (number 8). They asked if there was anything else I wanted them to look at while it was in the garage .

I told them that I had notice that occasionally the glow plug light on the dash stayed on for a few seconds after the engine had started , I didn't know if this was normal I haven't seen it before on other diesel vehicles that I own . It does not happen every time the engine is started . They said they would have a look at it.

When I went to pick the van up they told me that cylinder 2 glow plug was showing a fault and did I want it replacing? They said the cost of the glow plug was £61 but because the engine was so difficult to get to because of the hymer bodywork it was going to cost £1,200 in labour charges . I told them I didn't want to go ahead, and I would think about it. They charge VAT on top so the total cost would £1,512.00

Does anyone have any advice I have never had a problem starting the engine in cold weather and as I assumed that the glow plugs only ever work when the engine starts. Does anyone know that a faulty glow plug will cause a bigger problem with the engine that could cost me a lot more in the long run?

? Any thoughts
 
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Wow! That’s a lot - unfortunately no expertise to offer just my gut reaction! Don’t blame you for asking - maybe a non-franchise garage, perhaps van & commercial might be cheaper?
 
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sparkyvanman said:
Should I spend the money ? . I took my 2019 Hymer to the Mercedes dealer as it had a factory recall (number 8). They asked if there was anything else I wanted them to look at while it was in the garage .

I told them that I had notice that occasionally the glow plug light on the dash stayed on for a few seconds after the engine had started , I didn't know if this was normal I haven't seen it before on other diesel vehicles that I own . It does not happen every time the engine is started . They said they would have a look at it.

When I went to pick the van up they told me that cylinder 2 glow plug was showing a fault and did I want it replacing? They said the cost of the glow plug was £61 but because the engine was so difficult to get to because of the hymer bodywork it was going to cost £1,200 in labour charges . I told them I didn't want to go ahead, and I would think about it. They charge VAT on top so the total cost would £1,512.00

Does anyone have any advice I have never had a problem starting the engine in cold weather and as I assumed that the glow plugs only ever work when the engine starts. Does anyone know that a faulty glow plug will cause a bigger problem with the engine that could cost me a lot more in the long run?

? Any thoughts
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I wouldn't. You still have three that work. Engines do start even without glow plugs, just a bit slower, and I wouldn't have thought that 1 out of 4 would make a big difference. For £ 1,500 no way. Perhaps at a much lower price with a non-franchise dealer, yes.
 
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If:
1. your engine starts easily (especially in cold weather)
2. your engine runs smoothly and at full power
then there is no reason to change the plug.
Glow plugs are used mainly during startup but can play a relatively minor roll when the engine is running (I was told that although they are not warming up by passing current through they stay hot because of the general combustion and because the injector atomises onto them they help the atomised diesel to ignite)

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In some engines glow plugs stay on for a short period after the engine starts, my old Mitsubishi 4M40 engine being one, but i'm not sure about Mercedes engines. There are companies that specialise in glo plug removal and if I needed them doing I would go to one of those, the reason being that if they are seized in or break when removal is attempted, it would be better to be at a place which have the tools and experience to get them out, rather then having to move the van there later on.
 
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I know with some A class vans it is easier to take off front grill and radiator to access the side of the engine. That is only a couple of hours of labour. £1500 is taking the pee and they don't want the job. I would get a local mobile mechanic to do the job if I couldn't
 
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I am not surprised at the cost. Garages now are charging ridiculous prices.
At £100 an hour you are not long getting into thousands and if they have to remove body parts to get at it it would probably need two of them.
But as others have said, if it's still running ok I'd leave it alone.
If they break it off or something else happens or even if they do it and it's no different you could well be doubling your estimate.
Oh for the joys of having plenty of family mechanics.

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I ve had cars where depending on temperature the glow plugs would stay on for a few minutes after starting.

I had Omega with a 6 pot BMW engine started ed getting hard to start in the winter after 4 out of the 6 plugs had failed.

You could check them yourself and see how hard the failed one is to change. With the plug disconnected the plug should read low resistance on a multimeter.
 
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How long since you had the fuel filter changed, worth checking as some makes use the same light for water in the fuel filter?
 
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ChrisL said:
I would go to one of those, the reason being that if they are seized in or break when removal is attempted, it would be better to be at a place which have the tools and experience to get them out, rather then having to move the van there later on.
Click to expand...

Based on my own experience I’d be inclined to ask them who pays if it snaps? Son-in-law took his VW Golf into a main dealer with engine warning light on. They diagnosed a faulty glow plug and proceeded to replace it. They broke it off and ended up removing the cylinder head and using an engine specialist to remove the broken plug. Presented him with a £3k bill which he successfully refused to pay as he hadn’t authorised the work.
 
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Just a thought on this.

With Diesel engines, it’s paramount you don’t start the engine until the majority of the lights have gone out.
There should only be 2 or 3 lights lit up on the dashboard when the key is turned to actually start the engine.
If you have a manual transmission, keep the clutch down when starting.

I’m sure 90% are aware of this so I’m not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, it’s for those that aren’t aware.

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sparkyvanman said:
Should I spend the money ? . I took my 2019 Hymer to the Mercedes dealer as it had a factory recall (number 8). They asked if there was anything else I wanted them to look at while it was in the garage .

I told them that I had notice that occasionally the glow plug light on the dash stayed on for a few seconds after the engine had started , I didn't know if this was normal I haven't seen it before on other diesel vehicles that I own . It does not happen every time the engine is started . They said they would have a look at it.

When I went to pick the van up they told me that cylinder 2 glow plug was showing a fault and did I want it replacing? They said the cost of the glow plug was £61 but because the engine was so difficult to get to because of the hymer bodywork it was going to cost £1,200 in labour charges . I told them I didn't want to go ahead, and I would think about it. They charge VAT on top so the total cost would £1,512.00

Does anyone have any advice I have never had a problem starting the engine in cold weather and as I assumed that the glow plugs only ever work when the engine starts. Does anyone know that a faulty glow plug will cause a bigger problem with the engine that could cost me a lot more in the long run?

? Any thoughts
Click to expand...
IMO you are concerned over nothing.
Today's glow plugs are a lot different from the old type that just used to be used for starting.
They are now linked to your emission system and help with that.
On my Fiat X250 Ducato, after starting, the glow plug symbol will flash for up to 20seconds in colder weather and sometimes not at all after starting , when it's warmer.
The time to worry, I'm told by my friendly Fiat Professional, is when it flashes for longer or not at all.
This might be different on a Merc. of course!
PS. In the, good old days, it was always advisable to change all the glow plugs if one was dodgy,
at the price quoted too you, I hope that advice has changed. 😱 😄
 
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Fdhadi said:
Just a thought on this.

With Diesel engines, it’s paramount you don’t start the engine until the majority of the lights have gone out.
There should only be 2 or 3 lights lit up on the dashboard when the key is turned to actually start the engine.
If you have a manual transmission, keep the clutch down when starting.

I’m sure 90% are aware of this so I’m not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, it’s for those that aren’t aware.
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Why, it will either start or not start.
Had 3 Ducato's over the last 15 years alway hop in and turn the key always starts first turn.
 
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We have a six cylinder Mercedes engine and regularly have the glow light on permanently

Mertrux said there is a known problem with one plug on a sprinter , mine is much older than yours , but also said access would make it a very expensive job and not worth doing 👍
 
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I had a Rapido with the 3 litre mercedes engine and that did the same, I ignored it and it was fine.

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Lenny HB said:
Why, it will either start or not start.
Had 3 Ducato's over the last 15 years alway hop in and turn the key always starts first turn.
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You are meant to turn on dash,it all lights up, then all lights except 3 go out, glow plugs have warmed & you then turn the key to start.
To turn key & start instantly means you are confusing the ecu & bcm as they are going through there pre-start routine & many vehicles will throw up spurious faults .


I'd leave the problem until you vcant get it tos start then have them all changed.Additionally for that estimate I would also accept only on condition that in the even that any break &/or additional work is required to complete the work it is at their expense & that the estimate is a full amount payable.
If they snap them off attempting removal that is their problem not yours.Anything like that must be included in the estimate.
 
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Fdhadi said:
I agree with 99.99 of your posts Lenny, but I think I’m right this time. Just saying
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I've driven diesels most of my life until I switch to a petrol auto car 3 years ago. The only light that is concerned with starting a diesel is the glowplug light. All other lights are other functions and warnings. In majority of cases I will wait for the Glowplug light to go out before starting, occansionally I forget (after driving my petrol car) and turn the ignition as soon as I put the key in, but it never fails to start even if I don't wait. The other lights such as oil pressure will only extinguish once the engine is running. ABS/ASR should go out on their own within a few seconds of turning on the ignition. With any manual vehicle I have always dipped the clutch before attempting to start the engine.
 
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If it's starting ok, I wouldn't bother changing it, especially if the lights do eventually go out ?
As Lenny said, if you can get in at them, check the resistance with a multimeter and have a weigh up how hard the access will be ?
I've just reordered 3 for our Kubota diesel (wrong ones arrived yesterday 🤦‍♂️) two are reading open circuit and the third one shows 1.1 ohms, but it still starts (eventually !) They came out easily with a 12mm hex socket and only cost £12 each !
 
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It may have been coincidence but I lost a glow plug on my Chrysler (Mercedes 3lt V6 engine)
A few months later total glow module failure.
The ECU lost contact with the glow plug module.
I can only think the module had given up and died.

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Let me put this into perspective for you. I did my lads Seat Leon TDI glow plugs 2 week ends ago. (Simple and unfettered access). It took 45 mins and £21 for 4 x plugs.

Leave it for now. You'll get plenty of notice that the plugs need attention.

Edit to say, just a tip (for anyone), but if your plugs have gotten to the point where they won't start the engine (you will get weeks/months notice) then a hot air gun directed into the air intake (take the filter out) for a few mins should get you started to get to a garage. I suppose a hairdryer would help, but would take a lot longer.
 
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sparkyvanman said:
Should I spend the money ? . I took my 2019 Hymer to the Mercedes dealer as it had a factory recall (number 8). They asked if there was anything else I wanted them to look at while it was in the garage .

I told them that I had notice that occasionally the glow plug light on the dash stayed on for a few seconds after the engine had started , I didn't know if this was normal I haven't seen it before on other diesel vehicles that I own . It does not happen every time the engine is started . They said they would have a look at it.

When I went to pick the van up they told me that cylinder 2 glow plug was showing a fault and did I want it replacing? They said the cost of the glow plug was £61 but because the engine was so difficult to get to because of the hymer bodywork it was going to cost £1,200 in labour charges . I told them I didn't want to go ahead, and I would think about it. They charge VAT on top so the total cost would £1,512.00

Does anyone have any advice I have never had a problem starting the engine in cold weather and as I assumed that the glow plugs only ever work when the engine starts. Does anyone know that a faulty glow plug will cause a bigger problem with the engine that could cost me a lot more in the long run?

? Any thoughts
Click to expand...
Read my post here

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

rapido v6 3ltr glow plug / heater plug light.

Is it normal for the glow plug heater light to come on for a while after the engine has started, Merc v6 3ltr 2009 ?
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
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JJ said:
Many moons ago, in cold weather, a juggler friend of mine used to start the engine of his narrow boat by holding a lit fire club above the air intake as he cranked it over... :wink:

Just saying...

JJ :cool:
Click to expand...

I’m not learning to fire juggle just to start an engine 🤔😊
 
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Many moons ago lorry drivers lit a fire under the engine to warm it for starting and then held a burning rag by the air intake to help the diesel engine fire up. The glow plug does the same
 
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