Anyone ever changed glow plugs?

[the_worrier]

My b7 Passat 177ps TDI has started throwing a fault code for glow plugs.

Have you ever changed these? Torque wrench needed?

 

[j_walsh]

Torque wrench not really needed, hand tight, quarter twist - check for leaks when started.

 

[FBi7]

No different (ok, only slightly different) to changing spark plugs. I've never had a torque wrench in my tool kit. Akin to the above, I've always done hand tight with the wrench with my hand as close to the centre of the socket wrench as possible, then an additional 'nip' turn. Always worked for me. Do it on a cold engine though.

My old (well used prior to my ownership) Peugeot 306, great motor, had an issue where when I come to change the glow plugs for the first time, one glow plug would turn anticlockwise ad nauseam but wouldn't unscrew/become removeable. No idea what was wrong. Compression wasn't effected and the plug never launched itself through the bonnet. Got rid when the Mrs was heavily pregnant during winter when the car became a bugger to get started in colder temperatures.

 

[radderfire]

As ever, there are loads of YouTube videos on how to do this (not sure about your car though).

 

[mrgubby]

I've changed 3 so far, I'd recommend a torque wrench to tighten them up as they can be easy to snap

 

[inflames]

I would be careful when changing glow plugs in case they snap, then your in world of trouble. I would spray them with some WD40 or plus gas a week before trying to removing them.

 

[BUDFORCE]

You know I DIY a lot of stuff, and I have changed plugs before, but I generally avoid it if I can.

It's one of those jobs, that in theory is easy, but that is actually quite easy to **** up, and if you **** it up it can end up being a big job to fix.

You only need for some ******* before you to have "almost" ruined the threads and your ******.

 

[Nemiyen]

I would be careful when changing glow plugs in case they snap, then your in world of trouble. I would spray them with some WD40 or plus gas a week before trying to removing them.

I'd recommend some plus gas. A week before might be extreme but can't hurt.

I'd say spray the threads the night before, then in the morning before the job and have at it. Torque wrench is recommended but just tighten by hand with the wrench then a little 1/8 nip up should do.

It's definitely an easy job but can go wrong. The question is, do you feel confident doing it yourself or leaving it to a hung over apprentice mechanic who doesn't give a crap! OK, this depends where you get the work done really.

Just be careful you're not cross threading when twisting the new one in and you should be fine. My car was worth probably 1.5k when I did mine so I might be less willing on a 10k car!

Edit: Good point about the threads. I had my Veccy from 7 months old and after 16.5 years, only changed 1 glow plug that failed. I was the only person to touch those original plugs so I knew there'd be no trouble.

 

[gbradders123]

Just got to be careful you don't snap them, massive pain to drill out.

 

[the_worrier]

Ordered 4 Denso plugs for £56. Will get a can of compressed air and a long 10mm socket. Got loads of WD40 and a socket set. A local garage quoted me £400 to supply and fit. They must think I am stupid. If the head has to come off if 1 snaps and falls in that will be at extra cost apparently.

 

[Type_R]

I changed glow plugs on a 2005 Golf TDI 2.0 140 bhp several years ago. Apart from changing spark plugs had zero experience of anything like it. From what I can recall it was an easy enough job and I didn’t have a torque wrench (at that time!).

Top tips would be, have a good source of lighting and take your time.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Get a can of Plusgas better than WD40 for unseizing and get the car up to temp can help make it easier to remove them.

 

[telewebby]

Ordered 4 Denso plugs for £56. Will get a can of compressed air and a long 10mm socket. Got loads of WD40 and a socket set. A local garage quoted me £400 to supply and fit. They must think I am stupid. If the head has to come off if 1 snaps and falls in that will be at extra cost apparently.

That price would be about right if it is the 3 standard glows plugs and the 4th with a pressure sensor built in. Be about £300 with 4 standard plugs

Alex

 

[mrgubby]

Pressure sensor glow plugs are £120 ish each , dread to think what a garage would charge to supply & fit them.

 

[jpaul]

have never vacuumed out the recessed holes (do garages do that ? or just compressed air), the socket supplied with bmw had a nylon insert allowing some play to reduce chance of cross-threading,
had put a smear of the infamous copperslip on thread before re-insertion

 

[D-Ranged]

As a few people have said, plus gas the living **** out of them for a few days/week, as they'll probably be in there good. If they are still really stuck, then heat is your friend. Be careful, because if it snaps, you're in for a bad time!

 

[the_worrier]

All 4 plugs look the same. I see no sensor and I ordered them from Parts in Motion by registration number.

 

[the_worrier]

Cannot find a F2F option for buying Plusgas. Online options mean paying more for delivery than the product!

 

[the_worrier]

All done. Engine warning light still on so disconnected battery negative for a minute but alarm sounded so re-connected. Light still on. How do I get this switched off? OBD II scanner only?

 

[BUDFORCE]

All done. Engine warning light still on so disconnected battery negative for a minute but alarm sounded so re-connected. Light still on. How do I get this switched off? OBD II scanner only?

Can try.

Might be an indication you haven't fixed whatever the sensor is picking up to set off the warning light.

Edit: or more likely it's the sensor itself.