1.9 DTi Glow plug problem

[KBW137]

I've been working though the engine/spanner light on start up problem and got to the stage of checking the glow plugs. Went to remove the second glow plug today in anticipation of changing them all out and hit a problem. It appeared to release OK but is just spinning in the head. I fear it may have been over tightened in the past and I've now inherited a serious problem. The car still starts fine and is not lumpy and a drop of oil around the plug base doesn't appear to bubble with released gas ? Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated guys. Thanks.

[dave r]

hello kbw137 you should be ok with three decent working glow plugs ,as for the spinning one cant you just yank it out some how if yeah gunna change it anyway

[Grumpy1954]

hello kbw137 you should be ok with three decent working glow plugs ,as for the spinning one cant you just yank it out some how if yeah gunna change it anyway

I'm new to diesels, are the glow plugs not threaded in like petrol?

[Aikon58]

I'm new to diesels, are the glow plugs not threaded in like petrol?

Yes they are,and i wouldn't suggest just pulling it out,if the glow plug has snapped in place,i'd leave it in there and go and get advise from an engineering place,to see if they can do anything with the glow plug while the head is in place,or you could end up in a whole world of expense.

[dave r]

I'm new to diesels, are the glow plugs not threaded in like petrol?

from what ive read on here matey the glow plugs are just used for starting up ,for example you could have three knackerd and one decent plug and you car should still start .Im pretty sure one duff glow plug should'nt cause that much of a problem .
ps im fairly new to the world of diesel myself im just picking up bits as i go along.

[rockonoli1]

Is it the 2nd one from cambelt area by any chance? Had this problem on my 2.2 dti vectra but it stopped all others working aswell so just pluged in a new one and cable tied it to the metal egr pipe, stupid i know but know traded it and got a signum . The best way to get the glow plug out is to removed cylinder head and get it machined out. Could be costly.

[KBW137]

Grumpy, Yes they are threaded. Dave, If I can get behind it to lift it while unscrewing it maybe I can see if it's the plug or the head that's stripped. I was wondering which would strip first ? or even if they break in some way that the hole is still sealed (at the moment). Rock on, Its the second from the right (battery end). I'm hoping it's not a 'head off' job but i'll take another look today. I just don't want to do any more damage than I appear to have arrived at at the moment. Any more advice or thoughts guys ?

[dave r]

Grumpy, Yes they are threaded. Dave, If I can get behind it to lift it while unscrewing it maybe I can see if it's the plug or the head that's stripped. I was wondering which would strip first ? or even if they break in some way that the hole is still sealed (at the moment). Rock on, Its the second from the right (battery end). I'm hoping it's not a 'head off' job but i'll take another look today. I just don't want to do any more damage than I appear to have arrived at at the moment. Any more advice or thoughts guys ?

yeah think you mite be better off taking this one to a main dealer the chances are this has happend before on previous cars they mite have a techneque of getting these plugs out ,even if they do balls it up its ther responsability to correct it ..

[jimbovectra]

Hi all, i'm new to the forum & to the vectra I recently had my car stolen after a burglary and bought a 54 plate vectra from the auction. I had no turbo which was just a split pipe.... then when the cold weather arrived it was taking 20 secs to start....

anyway I took it to a local garage (recomended by a family member) and the glow plugs had been fitted so badly that the plugs & the head were both stripped very badly.... the out come was..

the mechanic got the plugs out ( it took him a few hours)
he towed it to an engineering place who re drilled the holes
he fitted new plugs (and refitted the turbo etc..)

£40 plugs (fitted)..... £60 for his trouble.... £90 for the re drilling.. all now sorted.. is this a fair price

sorry if this post does not use the correct terms... i know nowt about cars

[paul wingnut]

had this problem at work glow plug unscrewed but tip was stuck in head its the carbon which seems to hold it in the head as for the starting should be ok but the problem you might have is the end of the plug going into engine but very unlikely on the one i had at work had to have the head off and plug knocked out from underneath