Change Car Glow Plugs Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 1h30–3h00 ~150–300£
Estimated time 1h30–3h00
Estimated labour cost ~150–300£
Difficulty Intermediate
Vehicles
Sprinter I 1995-2006 21
  • 208 CDI RWD Diesel (611.987)
  • 210 D RWD Diesel (602.980)
  • 211 CDI RWD Diesel (611.981)
  • 212 D RWD Diesel (602.980)
  • 213 CDI Diesel (611.983)
  • 216 CDI RWD Diesel (612.981)
  • 308 CDI RWD Diesel (611.987)
  • 310 D RWD,4WD Diesel (602.980)
  • 311 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (611.981)
  • 312 D RWD,4WD Diesel (602.980)
  • 313 CDI Diesel (611.983)
  • 313 CDI RWD,4WD Diesel (611.981)
  • 316 CDI RWD,4WD Diesel (612.981)
  • 408 CDI RWD Diesel (611.987)
  • 410 D RWD,4WD Diesel (602.980)
  • 411 CDI RWD,4WD Diesel (611.981)
  • 412 D RWD,4WD Diesel (602.980)
  • 413 CDI Diesel (611.983)
  • 413 CDI RWD,4WD Diesel (611.981)
  • 416 CDI RWD,4WD Diesel (612.981)
  • 616 CDI RWD Diesel (612.981)
Sprinter II 2006-2018 33
  • 209 CDI Diesel (646.984)
  • 210 CDI Diesel (651.956)
  • 211 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 211 CDI RWD Diesel (646.985)
  • 213 CDI Diesel (646.986)
  • 213 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955)
  • 214 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 215 CDI RWD Diesel (646.986)
  • 216 CDI Diesel (651.957)
  • 216 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955)
  • 218 CDI RWD Diesel (642.992)
  • 219 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (642.896)
  • 310 CDI Diesel (651.956)
  • 311 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 313 CDI/BlueTEC, -4MATIC Diesel (651.955)
  • 314 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 316 CDI, -4MATIC Diesel (651.957)
  • 316 CDI/BlueTEC, -4MATIC Diesel (651.955)
  • 318 CDI, -4MATIC Diesel (642.992)
  • 413 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955)
  • 414 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 416 CDI Diesel (651.957)
  • 416 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955)
  • 510 CDI Diesel (651.956)
  • 511 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 511 CDI, -4MATIC Diesel (646.985)
  • 513 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955)
  • 514 CDI Diesel (651.955)
  • 515 CDI Diesel (646.986)
  • 516 CDI Diesel (651.957)
  • 516 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955)
  • 518 CDI Diesel (642.992)
  • 519 CDI Diesel (642.896)
Sprinter III 2018-2025 6
  • 311 CDI RWD Diesel (651.958)
  • 316 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (651.958)
  • 319 CDI RWD Diesel (654.920)
  • 414 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (651.958)
  • 419 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (642.899)
  • 514 CDI RWD Diesel (651.958)

What is the role of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 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 Sprinter 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 Sprinter 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 Sprinter 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 Sprinter maintenance plan (keep the Sprinter token) →

3 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
Sprinter I 1995-2006 1995-2006 208 CDI RWD Diesel (611.987), 210 D RWD Diesel (602.980), 211 CDI RWD Diesel (611.981), 212 D RWD Diesel (602.980), 213 CDI Diesel (611.983), 213 CDI RWD Diesel (611.981), 214 RWD Petrol (111.979), 214 RWD Petrol (111.984), 216 CDI RWD Diesel (612.981), 308 CDI RWD Diesel (611.9… Diesel, Petrol
Sprinter II 2006-2018 2006-2018 209 CDI Diesel (646.984), 210 CDI Diesel (651.956), 211 CDI Diesel (651.955), 211 CDI RWD Diesel (646.985), 213 CDI Diesel (646.986), 213 CDI/BlueTEC Diesel (651.955), 214 CDI Diesel (651.955), 215 CDI RWD Diesel (646.986), 216 CDI Diesel (651.956), 216 CDI Diesel (651.957), 216… CNG, Diesel, Petrol
Sprinter III 2018-2025 2018-2025 311 CDI RWD Diesel (651.958), 316 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (651.958), 319 CDI RWD Diesel (654.920), 414 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (651.958), 419 CDI RWD, 4WD Diesel (642.899), 514 CDI RWD Diesel (651.958) Diesel

Other repair guides

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Change Car Accessory Belt Kit

Easy 0h45–3h00
Change Car Air Filter

Change Car Air Filter

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Battery

Change Car Battery

Very easy 0h30–0h45
Change Car Cabin Filter

Change Car Cabin Filter

Very easy 0h30
Change Car Clutch

Change Car Clutch

Technical 6h00–10h00
Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Change Car Front Brake Discs and Pads

Easy 2h30–3h00
Change Car Front Brake Pads

Change Car Front Brake Pads

Easy 1h30–2h00
Change Car Fuel Filter

Change Car Fuel Filter

Easy 0h30–1h30
Change Car Handbrake Cable

Change Car Handbrake Cable

Very easy 0h30
Change Car Oil Filter

Change Car Oil Filter

Easy 0h30–6h00
Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–3h00
Change Car Rear Silencer

Change Car Rear Silencer

Easy 1h30
Change Car Shock Absorbers

Change Car Shock Absorbers

Easy 2h30–5h00
Change Car Spark Plugs

Change Car Spark Plugs

Easy 1h30
Change Car Turbo

Change Car Turbo

Very technical 3h00–10h00
Change Car Water Pump

Change Car Water Pump

Easy 2h30–6h00
View the service schedule for your Sprinter →