how proned are the glowplugs for snapping?

[BIG_G_1979]

I need to change my glow plugs on my 3.0v6cdi but cant bring myself to do it for fear of them snapping!! how proned are these for snapping i have heard all sorts of scary stories but unsure if they were refering to the straight 6 diesel. Anyways i know they need done anyone got a list of things to do prior to trying them so i have the best chance of them coming out in one piece, also should i coat new threads with copper grease to prevent seizing for future changes? thanks

 

[merc85]

i think i read somewhere they snap at around 30nms,

 

[flango]

This is a bit hit and miss, sometimes they come out dead easy with no issues at all and its a 15 minute job. On others you can't get them out everyone assumes its the thread but what happens is carbon builds up on the heating element to such an extent that the build up is of greater diameter than the plug hole so it can't come out.

If you are doing it yourself, do it with the engine hot and turn the plug slightly Clockwise before going anticlockwise to remove it but be careful and do not use excessive force

 

[bob6600]

I have thought about tackling mine but have the same thoughts.

Worst case scenario and the plug snaps, is the car still driveable as normal? The plug is inoperative anyway and could I just disconnect the connector as a short term?

 

[mersum1es]

Usually longer times had been faulty, chances to jamming and snap increases...

Worst case scenario; head of the plug snaps but drops on the piston... http://www.mese.fi/forum/userpix/13656_WP_20141105_002_1.jpg

 

[BIG_G_1979]

Oh jesus! Not a good sight! Hope to god mine come out easier, I will give them a good soaking with wd40 a week before I plan to do the job to hopefully free things up a bit

 

[BIG_G_1979]

I have thought about tackling mine but have the same thoughts.

Worst case scenario and the plug snaps, is the car still driveable as normal? The plug is inoperative anyway and could I just disconnect the connector as a short term?

Bob when ru planning changing urs? I have just bought 6 beru glowplugs of ecp via click and collect for 65quid which saves u 35!!

 

[trapperjohn]

So change the ones that you can, squirt some break cleaner round em first to free them off. Any you think may snap because of resistance take to a diesel specialist to do.

 

[BIG_G_1979]

So change the ones that you can, squirt some break cleaner round em first to free them off. Any you think may snap because of resistance take to a diesel specialist to do.

It's trying to find that fine line between loosening and snapping that freightens me. I will have a go when weather improves and see whats what

 

[flango]

Brake cleaner trick works well as does penetrating oil. WD40 is not very good at penetrating it's not what it was designed for

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[BIG_G_1979]

Brake cleaner trick works well as does penetrating oil. WD40 is not very good at penetrating it's not what it was designed for

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So should I buy run of the mill brake and clutch cleaner and spray them every day for a week then have a go at them?

 

[wongl]

I am confused - how does spraying brake cleaner help free the carbon way down at the tip of the glow plug?

 

[bob6600]

I have no immediate plans, although from reading above, the longer I leave it the harder they may become! My light has been on for around a year and is now 3 out of 6 that need doing. Never had a problem starting in any weather hence why I've left them as it doesn't actually affect the car

 

[flango]

I am confused - how does spraying brake cleaner help free the carbon way down at the tip of the glow plug?

It doesn't it frees the carbon around the top of the plug. We used to soak them the night before then come in and do them first job the next morning we never snapped one in 20 years of trading we used to do them for loads of garages in the area including main dealers

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[BIG_G_1979]

How many miles on urs bob mine just turned 73k gonna change all 6 with the beru ones I bought today I will copper grease them b4 I fit them

 

[Druk]

I have an idea for this but haven't tried it and it would be interesting if someone would...

Since it's the probe part that gets stuck by carbon build-up I wondered if taking out the relevant injector and filling to the top with brake cleaner it would dissolve the carbon enough to release the stuck plug without risking snapping it.

Thoughts?

 

[bob6600]

How many miles on urs bob mine just turned 73k gonna change all 6 with the beru ones I bought today I will copper grease them b4 I fit them

Bah your's hasn't even run in! Add another 125k onto yours

 

[E270 Owner]

Professionals use this, no time for over night soaking too many hours lost fiddling around. etc etc



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXoF00uTr_Q


Laser make one too I have both of them.

If the job comes in with one broken already there's plenty of kits to remove them
I use the one in the image below by Monark.














.

 

[flango]

Professionals use this, no time for over night soaking too many hours lost fiddling around. etc etc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXoF00uTr_Q Laser make one too I have both of them. .

No time lost at all customer brings car in night before take them out next morning with long extension and Britool torque wrench never failed in 20 years tried and tested

Vibro tools are good but can create their own issues but agree with you on the Monark remover

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[BIG_G_1979]

Bah your's hasn't even run in! Add another 125k onto yours

Bob surely with that milage ur plugs would all ready have been changed? If so maybe someone has copper greased them and they will be fine let us know how u get on is urs the v6 or s6?

Just on this topic whats the replacement interval for these glow plugs?