Glow plug removal...

[Lee Watson]

Hi,

I need to check my glow plugs but Im not sure how much of a pain they are to remove.

Can anyone give me an Idea and any tips?

Do I have to disconnect the power before I play with them?

Any help will be great appreciated.

Cheers

Lee

[Deano2711]

Glow Plugs are easy to change Mate. I personally have never removed the battery as the power to the plugs works off the ignition. Every car I have done has them located to the left hand side of the engine. There should be a small nut on the top of the plug for the power lead (on some older vehicles there was a bracket that fitted over the plugs). Once this nut is removed the glow plug can be unscrewed and removed/replaced. In this weather and considering the small price for new plugs I would recommend replacing them.     Hope this helps     Deano

[Lee Watson]

That's great! I was sure that it would not be a problem but this is my first diesel    and knowing my luck you have to do something tricky.

Many thanks again.

Lee

[jonesltd]

When do glow plugsget replaced? Mine has been in service with VW all the time apart from the 98k service which I did myself and changed oil, fuel etcc. Owned the car for 2 yrs from 62k....would it have been changed?

[Rhyso]

When do glow plugsget replaced? Mine has been in service with VW all the time apart from the 98k service which I did myself and changed oil, fuel etcc. Owned the car for 2 yrs from 62k....would it have been changed?

in theory they shouldn't ever need replacing

Remember that glow plugs are only ever used BEFORE you start the engine - they help warm things up a bit

I think people get confused and think they are like spark plugs in a petrol engine.........

[alex160]

You only generally replace them if one stops working or you've got a very high millage car and they havnt been done. As rhyso said they just preheat the cylinders before you start it. They only really do the work in the winter tbh.

[Jay]

I'm not sure what the access is like to the GP's on the MK4 but on the MK2 it's a bugger with all sorts in the way.

A perfect tool for the job is always worth getting. 8mm for the nut on the end holding the power cable on, and 12mm on the other end to get round the GP's AND it works like a ratchet 

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_161302_langId_-1_categoryId_165469

[alex160]

Is a piece of cake on the mk4 tdi. takes 15min to change all plugs.

[Adam]

This guide might help -

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/318152.aspx