Where do you live
There is a very recognised glow plug removal co... in Wigan of all places
I was looking but haven’t used for my bmw...


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I live near Gatwick so I don’t think that’ll work. Thanks though.

Have you got one stuck in your BMW then? Do you still use the car?

Cheers


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No haven’t got one stuck
But I’ve heard some horror stories and was doing some homework about where to get mine changed in the future....


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Youve learned this now but on some engines you really need to know that theyre prone to sticking or snapping glowplugs, there are a number of VAG engines falling into the risk category. Its not a decision you make lightly or without doing your research.

As long as the plug isnt dropping debris into the piston chamber and hasnt allowed compression losses you might be safe to drive, might, but its your risk and your decision.

In the worst case if extractors fail then the head will have to come off.

 

A good transport firm might be able to uplift and deliver for £50 or less, is the risk worth saving £50 or less?

 

so it's moved 2-3mm out then just spins?? i am guessing you haven't snapped it?? have you tried warming the van up to temp and then squirting some penetrating fluid onto it??? I would try this a few times or even make up some pure acetone and 2 stroke oil solution and try that, i have used Kroil (hard to get over here) with great effect and also done the warming up trick each time I do these

 

Thanks Mindriot. I don't want to take any further risks and start her up, therefore will dig a bit deeper and get it towed over to the garage. Not worth the risk in my opionon for £50-£100.

 

Hi Iain, thanks for your reply.

My assumption (can't see that well down there!), is that the hex nut on the top of the plug has come away, leaving the rest of the plug including the thread in the engine. There is nothing to grip on now as the hex is just spinning and the top of the plug is really thin. Also, I tested with one of the old plugs with two sets of grips and the conductor and thread come loose from each other very quickly.

I don't really want to start it again just in case the glow plug is damaged, which could cause further damage to the engine. But yes, I warmed the engine up before attempting to take them out in the first place.

 

I find it really odd that the hex part spins but is still attached to the plug i have looked at on old set that i have in the garage and it looks like the hex is an integral cast (assuming that's how they are made) of the plug, the only other thing is that it's been rounded off which would explain why it's spinning, if you haven't got half stuck in the engine and the other half in your hand then I would say drive it.

Many years ago i had a spark plug thread go on an and engine and that blew the plug out out the hole due to the compression, so i doubt it will into engine as it's more than likely still seized in the head.

You can always try and have a look with a mirror and a torch or maybe try photographing it with your phone then it might give you an idea of what to do next.

Iain

 

The other thing is are you using the correct socket??? I have a 3/8ths drive one that came with the first set of glow plugs i changed on our passat 1.9 and that worked a treat.

as a last resort the guy who's website you posted looks like your best port of call

 

Hi Iain,

Thanks for your reply and for looking at your old plugs.

Just after it happened I had a good look with a mirror and the hex looks fine. Also, you can turn the hex with your fingers and feel that the conductor is stationary. This suggests that the hex has become separated from the thread. It’s very thin steel as the conductor is insulated from the thread/hex.

Since the fiasco I spoke to a couple of guys that removed ceased plugs as well as other thread work. It’s apparently VERY common. ‘The Thread Doctor’ told me that he does 3,000 glow plugs a year, sometimes all of them are ceased in one engine!!!

It’s at the garage now with the front end stripped and the guy is coming on Monday to extract the pesky plug. Just looking forward to getting it back now...


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Ok thanks for the update it's always good to share and learn from this kind of thing, looks i have been lucky on the car and the van, hope you get her back on the road soon

 

Yeah, fingers crossed for early next week. It’s been a bit of a headache!

I’ll update this thread with the end result.


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You can't beat a cordless impact wrench for removing glow plugs,if you can get it near them,

 

Really?


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Got the van back. My mechanic said that The Thread Doctor was brilliant.

All up and running again now however it STILL misfires on startup from cold. Not sure where to with this now. It seems slightly better after putting some diesel treatment in and running on BP Ultimate, might be a coincidence.


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