Mk4 tdi glow plugs

[rascal3103]

Hi

I need to change my glow plugs, firstly where the flippin heck are they and is it an easy job?

Cheers

stef

 

[gquenstedt]

if you don't know where they are, how do you know they need changing?

 

[Metal Man]

When you open the hood they are staring right at you. They are right where the spark plugs would be on a gas motor. Find the injectors and the wiring harness for the plugs and there they are.

 

[rascal3103]

Mr AA told me that they need doing. I am not very mechanical but would like to have a try.

I thought they would be where the s plugs go on a petrol, took the black cover off but couldn't see them

 

[2004STARWARSTDI]

Glow plugs

If removing & replacing glow plugs are done wrong you can end up with a very expensive job! PB Blaster should be sprayed around base of plugs several times over a couple of days before trying to remove them. When installing the new glow plugs antiseize should be put on threads and the glow plugs should be threaded in by hand at first. They have very fine threads and can be easily cross threaded. Torque no more than 11 ft lbs. MK IV had ceramic glow plugs that were replaced with steel ones after dealer did a reflash of ECU. It was a free recall.

 

[TDICADDGUY]

I'm not familiar with which engines the UK got and when. Is this a PD or VE engine?

 

[steelmb]

Hi

I need to change my glow plugs, firstly where the flippin heck are they and is it an easy job?

Cheers

stef

Sounds like a candidate to become a dealer tech.

 

[Powder Hound]

Everybody's got to start somewhere.

 

[rascal3103]

Thanks Powder Hound

I have ordered my plugs today so looks like this weekend will be interesting....

onto the next problem

 

[MIA]

All you need to know is in this thread. It's very easy to do, I know nothing about working on cars but you can easily replace a glow plug in a matter of minutes.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=79819&highlight=glow+plug+101

 

[-Adonis-]

MK IV had ceramic glow plugs that were replaced with steel ones after dealer did a reflash of ECU. It was a free recall.

O really... Any more info on this?

 

[DBDieseler]

O really... Any more info on this?

I think that was just the PD MKIV's, not the ALH's.

Edit: Just saw that you have a PD MKIV. Check out these threads for more info: http://forums.tdiclub.com/search.php?searchid=4596708

 

[halocline]

Hey rascal, I don;t know if you have ceramic or steel GPs, or if you have a PD engine or not, but you need to find out before you do the job. If they're ceramic, and any of them break while you're removing them (it's easy to break them) you could be looking at removing the head or ruining your engine at the first start up.


Soooo.....consider what's at stake and act accordingly. Seems like everyone with the ceramic GP problem has been on this side of the pond, so maybe there's no issue with UK cars.

 

[rascal3103]

Cheers to all.

DOne now - steel plugs, me and me dad took 15 mins..!

 

[Akore]

All plugs down at once?

My mechanic told me that the CEL is on because the glow plugs are going out. I followed the instructions in the OP and the resistance is unmeasurable (approaches infinity) in all 4 plugs. The multiple meter tool I use is decent and I believe the reading.
Is it possible to have all four plugs dead at once? Before I go ahead and replace them I wanted to ask for some opinions here.

Also thoughts on the need for any sort of thread paste or cleaner when inalling new plugs?

 

[burpod]

i kinda doubt all 4 plugs are bad, you sure you measuring it right?. if you want to coat the threads with anything, i would suggest a *slight* dab of dielectric grease. tighten firmly, but don't go crazy

 

[Akore]

Would the car even start if they were all bad?

 

[nokivasara]

It's possible that they are all bad, on our Golf 3 were dead. No difference in starting until first cold snap

 

[Akore]

Are the glow plugs only for starting or needed for the engine to run? I thought they were the equivalent of spark plugs.

When testing the resistance in the plugs to determine of they need replacement is the ignition supposed to be turned on? I assume I cannot test them with the car running.

 

[linkpin]

Glow plugs and not an equivalent to a spark plug. A diesel does not use spark they however look similar. glow plugs are for starting they also run for a short time after or untill you reach 2500 rpm this allows a cold engine to run smooth and helps with emissions

 

[Vince Waldon]

Yup, the glow plugs are numbered in reverse order to the cylinders, and yup you may need to remove a set of injector lines to get it, just to make it easy.

But, if you're creative with a deep 10mm socket and a long 1/4" extension it can be done without removing the lines. Universal joint will help.

I always recommend a bit of penetrating oil first (a real oil, not WD40)... having the engine slightly warm, and to slowly turn them out a turn, in a half turn, out a turn etc if they are sticky. Steel threads in aluminum, so some care can be required.

Likewise during re-installation: good idea to hand-tighten the new plug a few turns by hand before grabbing the ratchet to finish the job... just to ensure it's not cross-threaded.

 

[JB05]

Vince, where did you dig up this two and a half year old thread?

 

[Vince Waldon]

Yah, no kidding... that's very strange. The thread I *thought* I was posting in was quite different.

Too much coffee, or not enough?