Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregory891
Do you wait for a few seconds (with the key in intermediate position) until the glow plug light goes out, before engaging the starter motor? ...
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What glow plug light?
Do the pre-facelifts have a glow plug light? The LCI models certainly don't - only a text message on the dash display and even then, only under one very specific condition.
On the LCI, the glow plugs operate thus: -
A short pre-heating cycle (2-8 seconds) is used any time the engine is started with the coolant below 30DegC. This is a silent cycle - no message.
The glow-plugs are activated if the engine coolant temps fall below 75DegC while running. This is a silent cycle - no message.
A long pre-heat cycle (10-20 seconds) is run at start up start-up when coolant temps below 0DegC. - coolant temps, not ambient - and this cycle is indicated by the "PRE HEATING" message on the dash.
This last condition - coolant temp lower than 0DegC. - is the only time an LCI owner wil see anything related to glow plugs on the dash. I see it only a handful of times a year...
Hard starting on an M57 is very rarely related to glow plugs, even in cold weather (extreme cold weather aside!).
Poor running, excessive fuel consumption and excessive exhaust soot are indications of glow plug problems. A failed thermostat can lead to premature glow plug failure, as the coolant remains below 75DegC. for considerable periods, extending glow plug activation and shortening their operational life.