Change Car Glow Plugs Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 1h30–3h00 ~150–300£
Estimated time 1h30–3h00
Estimated labour cost ~150–300£
Difficulty Intermediate
Vehicles
E-Class 1984-1996 6
  • 200 D, -TD Diesel (601.912)
  • 250 / 300 D TURBODIESEL, -TD Diesel (602.962)
  • 250 D, -TD Diesel (602.912)
  • 300 D TURBODIESEL, -TD 4MATIC Diesel (603.963)
  • 300 D TURBODIESEL, -TD Diesel (603.960)
  • 300 D, -TD Diesel (603.912)
E-Class 2002-2009 16
  • 200 CDI Diesel (646.820)
  • 200 CDI Diesel (646.951)
  • 200 CDI Diesel (646.951)
  • 200 CDI, -T Diesel (646.821)
  • 220 CDI, -T Diesel (646.821)
  • 220 CDI, -T Diesel (646.961)
  • 270 CDI, -T Diesel (647.961)
  • 280 CDI 4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.921)
  • 280 CDI V6, -T Diesel (642.920)
  • 280 CDI, -T Diesel (648.961)
  • 300 CDI BlueTEC Diesel (642.920)
  • 320 CDI 4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.921)
  • 320 CDI V6, -T Diesel (642.920)
  • 320 CDI, -T Diesel (648.961)
  • 400 CDI Diesel (628.961)
  • 420 CDI Diesel (629.910)
E-Class 2009-2016 17
  • 200 CDI BlueEFF, BlueTEC, -T Diesel (651.925)
  • 220 BlueTEC, -T Diesel (651.924)
  • 220 CDI BlueEFF, -T Diesel (651.924)
  • 250 CDI BlueEFF, -4MATIC, -T Diesel (651.924)
  • 300 BlueTEC, -T Diesel (642.852)
  • 300 CDI BlueEFF Diesel (642.850)
  • 300 CDI BlueEFF, -T Diesel (642.850)
  • 300 CDI BlueEFF, -T Diesel (642.852)
  • 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.858)
  • 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.858)
  • 350 BlueTEC Diesel (642.852)
  • 350 BlueTEC, -T Diesel (642.850)
  • 350 BlueTEC, -T Diesel (642.852)
  • 350 CDI 4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.856)
  • 350 CDI 4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.858)
  • 350 CDI BlueEFF, -T Diesel (642.850)
  • 350 CDI BlueEFF, -T Diesel (642.852)
E-Class 2016-2023 10
  • 200 D Diesel (654.920)
  • 200 d, -T Diesel (654.916)
  • 220 d, -4MATIC Diesel (654.920)
  • 220 D, -4MATIC, -T Diesel (654.920)
  • 300 d, -T Diesel (654.920)
  • 300 de, -4MATIC, -T Diesel,Electricity (654.920)
  • 350 d 4MATIC Diesel (642.873)
  • 350 d, -4MATIC Diesel (656.929)
  • 350 d,-4MATIC, -T Diesel (642.855)
  • 400 d, -4MATIC Diesel (656.929)
E-Class Coupe/Cabrio 2009-2016 6
  • 220 CDI Diesel (651.911)
  • 250 BlueTEC Diesel (651.911)
  • 250 CDI Diesel (651.911)
  • 350 BlueTEC Diesel (642.838)
  • 350 CDI BlueEFF Diesel (642.838)
  • 350 CDI Diesel (642.836)
E-Class Coupe/Cabrio 2017-2022 6
  • 220 D Diesel (654.920)
  • 220 d, -4MATIC Diesel (654.920)
  • 300 d Diesel (654.920)
  • 350 d 4MATIC Diesel (642.873)
  • 350 d Diesel (656.929)
  • 400 d, 4MATIC Diesel (656.929)

What is the role of Mercedes-Benz E-Class glow plugs?

Glow plugs are used in diesel engines to preheat the combustion chamber before starting, particularly in cold weather. Unlike petrol engines that use spark plugs to ignite the fuel, diesel engines rely on compression ignition. Modern glow plugs also remain active after starting to reduce emissions and noise during the warm-up phase.

When should you change your Mercedes-Benz E-Class glow plugs?

Generally, glow plugs last between 80,000 and 160,000 km. Symptoms of failing glow plugs include: difficulty starting in cold weather, white or grey exhaust smoke on start-up, rough idle during warm-up, the glow plug warning light remaining illuminated, and increased fuel consumption.

How do I know if the Mercedes-Benz E-Class glow plugs need changing?

Via the EOBD diagnostic system, faulty glow plugs will trigger fault codes (typically P0380–P0384 for glow plug circuit faults). Individual glow plug resistance can be measured with a multimeter (typically 0.5–2 ohms for a good plug).

Is it difficult to change Mercedes-Benz E-Class glow plugs?

Difficulty level 3/5: intermediate. Glow plugs can seize in the cylinder head over time due to heat and corrosion, making removal difficult and risking breakage. Key steps: warm the engine first, apply penetrating oil, use the correct glow plug socket, unscrew carefully (do not force — a broken glow plug requires specialist extraction).

View all compatible products →
View your E-Class maintenance plan (keep the E-Class token) →

7 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
E-Class 1984-1996 1984-1996 200 CE Petrol (102.963), 200 D, -TD Diesel (601.912), 200 E, -TE Petrol (102.963), 200, -T Petrol (102.922), 230 CE Petrol (102.982), 230 E, -TE Petrol (102.982), 250 / 300 D TURBODIESEL, -TD Diesel (602.962), 250 D, -TD Diesel (602.912), 260 E 4MATIC Petrol (103.943), 280/300 E… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
E-Class 1996-2002 1996-2002 200, -T, -LPG LPG,Petrol (111.957), 240, -T, -LPG LPG,Petrol (112.914) LPG, Petrol
E-Class 2002-2009 2002-2009 200 CDI Diesel (646.820), 200 CDI Diesel (646.951), 200 CDI Diesel (646.951), 200 CDI, -T Diesel (646.821), 200 Kompressor, -T, -LPG LPG,Petrol (271.941), 200 Kompressor, -T, -LPG LPG,Petrol (271.956), 200 NGT CNG,Petrol (271.956), 220 CDI, -T Diesel (646.821), 220 CDI, -T Diese… CNG, Diesel, LPG, Petrol
E-Class 2009-2016 2009-2016 200 CDI BlueEFF, BlueTEC, -T Diesel (651.925), 200 CGI BlueEFF, -T, -L Petrol (271.860), 200 CGi, -LPG LPG,Petrol (274.920), 200 NGT BlueEFF CNG,Petrol (271.958), 200 NGT CNG,Petrol (274.920), 220 BlueTEC, -T Diesel (651.924), 220 CDI BlueEFF, -T Diesel (651.924), 250 BlueEFF Pe… CNG, Diesel, LPG, Petrol
E-Class 2016-2023 2016-2023 180 Petrol (264.915), 180 Petrol (274.910), 200 D Diesel (654.920), 200 d, -T Diesel (654.916), 200 EQ Boost, -4MATIC 48V (MHEV),Petrol (264.920), 200, -4MATIC, -T Petrol (274.920), 220 d, -4MATIC Diesel (654.920), 220 D, -4MATIC, -T Diesel (654.920), 250, -T Petrol (274.920), 3… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
E-Class Coupe/Cabrio 2009-2016 2009-2016 200 CGi BlueEFF Petrol (274.920), 220 CDI Diesel (651.911), 250 BlueTEC Diesel (651.911), 250 CDI Diesel (651.911), 250 Petrol (274.920), 300 BlueEFF Petrol (276.957), 320 Petrol (276.820), 350 BlueTEC Diesel (642.838), 350 CDI BlueEFF Diesel (642.838), 350 CDI Diesel (642.836),… Diesel, Petrol
E-Class Coupe/Cabrio 2017-2022 2017-2022 200 EQ Boost, -4MATIC 48V (MHEV),Petrol (264.920), 200, -4MATIC Petrol (274.920), 220 D Diesel (654.920), 220 d, -4MATIC Diesel (654.920), 300 d Diesel (654.920), 300 Petrol (274.920), 300, EQ Boost 48V (MHEV),Petrol (264.920), 350 d 4MATIC Diesel (642.873), 350 d Diesel (656.92… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Petrol

Other repair guides

Change Car Air Filter

Change Car Air Filter

Very easy 0h30–1h30
Change Car Battery

Change Car Battery

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Cabin Filter

Change Car Cabin Filter

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Easy 2h00–3h00
Change Car Front Brake Pads

Change Car Front Brake Pads

Easy 1h00–1h30
Change Car Handbrake Cable

Change Car Handbrake Cable

Very easy 0h30–2h30
Change Car Rear Silencer

Change Car Rear Silencer

Easy 0h45–2h00
Change Car Water Pump

Change Car Water Pump

Easy 1h30–8h00
Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Easy 0h30–7h00
Change Car Clutch

Change Car Clutch

Technical 6h00–11h00
Change Car Fuel Filter

Change Car Fuel Filter

Easy 0h30–2h00
Change Car Oil Filter

Change Car Oil Filter

Easy 0h30–1h00
Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–5h00
Change Car Shock Absorbers

Change Car Shock Absorbers

Easy 2h30–8h00
Change Car Spark Plugs

Change Car Spark Plugs

Easy 0h30–3h30
Change Car Turbo

Change Car Turbo

Very technical 3h30–24h00
View the service schedule for your E-Class →