Which glow plugs to buy?

hckynut

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Location
Oakville,Ontario,Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta TDI
Thanks to Wingnuts awesome write-up on glow plugs, I narrowed my issue down to glow plug#1 being bad. I was thinking I might as well change them all out since i'm in there.

I did test everything else in the write-up, and all is working as it should.

No my question is which ones to buy. There are so many different brands, and I would like to know which ones to get.

Price is not an issue, just want something that is proven to be top quality.

I need to make sure she starts in the mornings, as I work midnights and have no where to shelter or plug in the car.

Thanks all in advance

John
 

MoldovaDIZEL

Vendor
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Dec 29, 2009
Location
Toronto/Guelph
TDI
mk4 TDI, 98 Cabrio AAZ
What ever you buy make sure all 4 are the same as any variation in resistance from the plugs will pull a code! (Each company has slight difference in resistance)
With that said Bosch are te better ones
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
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Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
Thanks to Wingnuts awesome write-up on glow plugs, I narrowed my issue down to glow plug#1 being bad. I was thinking I might as well change them all out since i'm in there.
In my opinion glow plugs are not wear items so I never change out a working one. Removal can sometimes be difficult and it doesn't take much torque to break a glow plug. I have installed both Bosch and Beru one at a time and never had a problem with differences in resistance.

I'll offer $10 for your good used ones, I'll have spares for life :D

Simon
 

PduBerer

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Nov 2, 2011
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St. Catharines, Ontario
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2000 Golf TDI GLS (RIP), 2002 Jetta TDI GLS, 2014 Golf Wagon TDI DSG Wolfsburg Edition, 2014 Touareg TDI Execline
I had a bad glowplug 5 years ago. I had replaced all 4 with bosch ones. Its been 200km and the bosch ones are still kicking. Some people say to replace plugs every 2 years. Ive had zero issues with them
 

REDNECKDZL

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Sep 1, 2006
Location
Omemee
TDI
2001 Jetta, 2015 Jetta, 1984 Wabbit TD, 1986 RX7 waiting on AHU swap
No need to change them pduberer, they only need to be changed when they don't work anymore

I usually only replace the one that is the problem, unless more then 2 fail, then I figure I might aswell do them all
 

rhskcdn

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2005
Location
PTBO, Ontario
TDI
Golf Wagon 2014 Reflex Silver
I swap as they blow. They are an ohmic heater and operate much like a filiment light bulb. Check the harness for cracking and exposed wiring. Also, a shot of deOxit D5 on each plug top and a shot inside the plug harness at each connection.
 

craig01b

Top Post Dawg
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Mar 17, 2004
Location
Guelph, Ontario.
TDI
None
And, from the other side of the fence....ever notice a new light bulb is brighter than the old one that just burnt out. I also replace all 4 when one burns out... Its like headlights....pairs. I also replace batteries after 5 winters....the inconvenience of one no start make the coat look insignificant IMO...12 years, and have never had a no start.....
 

hckynut

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Location
Oakville,Ontario,Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta TDI
I changed all 4 out this afternoon with a set of Bosch's. All came out easy and went back in smoothly.

Even though the other's where fine, to me it's just cheap insurance to swap them all out. No more CEL for me.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 

JettaTDI

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Location
North East
TDI
02
I'm getting fault PO671, which is for the #1. I would only change the faulty plug, but I'm not sure what brand is currently installed
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
Check resistance to confirm a bad plug, it's often just the harness.

Chances are you have Bosch or Beru in there, either is good. I've mixed them for years without issues.
 

Vince Waldon

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Location
Edmonton AB Canada
TDI
2001 ALH Jetta, 2003 ALH Wagon, 2005 BEW Wagon
Also be aware that the glowplugs are numbered in the opposite order to the cylinders... dunno why. :)

And, the code will not go away by itself after you replace the defective plug. Gotta be intentionally cleared.
 

Cookdie

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Location
Cookstown
TDI
2014 Passat TDI
where would we buy them now and what could we expect to pay for them?
I've read that changing them out can help with mileage and start up. From what I've seen here I should leave them alone until I need to replace one? Proactivity isn't the thing?
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
where would we buy them now and what could we expect to pay for them?
I've read that changing them out can help with mileage and start up. From what I've seen here I should leave them alone until I need to replace one? Proactivity isn't the thing?
Glow plugs are like light bulbs, you replace them when they burn out - especially at 134 bucks each (234 for OEM!!).

 
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