Spinning glow plug

[John Nightingale]

Hello all,

Great to meet you, I've just signed up after an unsuccessful attempt to change some glow plugs in the 3.0 TDI.

5 out of 6 have been successfully replaced (cheer)

One plug (number 2 cylinder I believe) is freely spinning and will lift up and down by about 5mm.

I've had a search around and it seems fairly common to have similar issues but I haven't found a solution I can try.

I've spoken to the local garage and he only offered to remove the head. I wondered if anyone knew any garages in the Bridport area that might be willing to give it a bash?

I'm also open to suggestions if anyone has any. It's extremely restricted access and I'm concerned about making it worse.

John

 

[Retroman]

Few videos on youtube about stuck glow plugs - suggest having a browse. One or two suggest penetrating fluid left to soak in and gentle up/down manipulation of the plug. Hopefully just the thread on the plug is stripped/damaged?

 

[John Nightingale]

There does seem to be quite a few who have gone through similar problems.

I've had a look at all the videos I can find and I've given it a good dousing in lube. The lube just disappears into the cylinder so there is space around it.

Hasn't improved yet but I'll try again in the morning.

One problem is access. I can't get much upward force on it before my pliers slip off.

It was a tough cookie to get moving and I had to work it out very gradually. I thought I got to the end of the thread but now it won't lift out. Feels like it may be catching on a warped thread or something???

It has around 5mm play up and down and looks intact from the small amount I can see. Hopefully that's a good sign!

 

[John Nightingale]

Quick update just to close the topic.

I found a diesel specialist who was able to remove the plug, recut the thread and install the supplied part.

3 hours labor I think.