Glow plug removal tips

[DoubleU]

Hoping I can gain some knowledge and tips before taking this on. The task - to replace all four glow plugs on my Transit Connect 1.8 TDCi without any of them snapping!

I have the new plugs. I've tested voltage to the plugs - all ok. I have a can of PlusGas and have started spraying it down the plug wells. Will keep this up for the next few days.

Any other tips for when I attempt removal? Even the threaded plug tops where the power cable attaches to are quite rusty so I think these are going to be tough...

[thebraketester]

Warm engine. Apply the torque smoothly.

When I did mine I actually tightened them very slightly before undoing them (something I read online). Not sure if that's common practice or not.

[Emanresu]

thebraketester said:

Warm engine. Apply the torque smoothly.

When I did mine I actually tightened them very slightly before undoing them (something I read online). Not sure if that's common practice or not.

2 pieces of good advice. They will come out easier when warm. Tightening a thread a quarter turn on any bolt or anything before you loosen it helps to crack whatever rust or dirt is jamming it and it will come out easier.

Also to add,

If you screw it halfway out and it's still tight, oil the thread and screw it back in and it will come out much easier the second try.

One of those bendy magnet on a stick things can come in handy for when you drop something.

[GreenV8S]

Emanresu said:

Tightening a thread a quarter turn on any bolt or anything before you loosen it helps to crack whatever rust or dirt is jamming it

A quarter of a turn is a heck of a lot to tighten a fastener that was already tight. I'd say if it moved at all, that's sufficient.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

as you've already done, lots of plusgas or similar, and as above, warm engine, crack off in tightening direction, then loosen, if it sticks at all, tighten a little, then loosen, then tighten, then loosen, this way instead of trying to push against whatever it's sticking on it will clear it out of the thread.

also make sure you have the socket square on the glow plug, often damages/snappages are due to force being applied at an angle, oh and use a good quality socket, not a cheap one!

Other than that, good luck, they will either come out easily or be a total bd!

[littleredrooster]

...and a surface drive socket or a hexagon socket is much better than a 12-point one for this.

[mickmcpaddy]

The two times I have removed glow plugs I used an impact driver (screwdriver type as opposed to wheel nut type) with a socket on the end and they came out a piece of piss after a liberal soaking of WD40. The two engines were a 1.6 TDCI and a 1.3 CDTI.