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.