Oh no i've snapped it

[mr.c72]

Yes you guessed it, the glow plug on the passenger side has snapped just below the nut on my 2.2 dti on cylinder 4 .
To top that off cylinder 3 is stuck fast, it had 2 days of wd40 pre-soaking and got the engine so hot you could cook eggs lol.
I thought the problem plugs were cylinder's 1 & 2, they came out nice n easy (copper-slipped).
I have found a bloke called the thread doctor, he charges between £75 & £100 pr snapped plug, alot cheaper than whipping off the head but all the same i could have done without this, still 2 lesson's learned to the dealers next time let them have the problems & in future use copper slip on the threads of the plugs so much easier.

[axelf]

if you had taken it to the dealers they would have told you that if a plug had to be replaced then the cost of any damage done ie snapped damaged the thread would be down to you........so you cant win either way.....

[DaveW555]

Just a thought, if you can get the stuff couldn't you drill into whats left of the glow plug then put a left handed thread tap down the hole, get a left handed thread bolt the right size and screw it in, as it tightens up it should release the glow plug.
Like I said just a thought, I'm a mechanic not an engineer but the beauty of doing it that way is if you dont drill all the way through the glow plug you wont risk any swarf getting into the bores.
Just a little tip on the stuck glow plug, I was told by a very old engineer to use coke instead of wd on stuck glow plugs (I know it sounds weird) but he swore by it so I tried it and I must say its always worked for me but I've found coca cola works better than pepsi and there is not really much difference between diet and full fat. Hope this helps.

[mr.c72]

Just a thought, if you can get the stuff couldn't you drill into whats left of the glow plug then put a left handed thread tap down the hole, get a left handed thread bolt the right size and screw it in, as it tightens up it should release the glow plug.
Like I said just a thought, I'm a mechanic not an engineer but the beauty of doing it that way is if you dont drill all the way through the glow plug you wont risk any swarf getting into the bores.

I had thought about easy out's which is what i think you mean. Problem is with them if you snap them off too then you are well and truly bug*ered, its tempting to give it a go but worried about the outcome.
Also have heard them left handed easy outs like to snap, apparently the square type are meant to be stronger i just aint go the nads to try it.

[DaveW555]

i was thinking use a left hand threaded hardened bolt to prevent that issue, christ I wouldnt reccomend an easy out unless it was a titanium one, dont like them, never have never will.

[mr.c72]

i was thinking use a left hand threaded hardened bolt to prevent that issue, christ I wouldnt reccomend an easy out unless it was a titanium one, dont like them, never have never will.

Interesting idea dave, where would i go about getting a size M6 left hand threaded bolt from any idea's?

[DaveW555]

somewhere like screwfix maybe??

[mr.c72]

Ok will have a look tomorrow, i think though i would be better off paying to have it taken out with the head in situ, my hands are not to steady when it comes to drilling.

[Robsey]

Screwfix will not have a left-hand screw...

They sell cheap and chearful "standard" items...left hand threaded bolts are more for your tool and specialist bolt supplier.

You would also need a left hand tap set!!

Thing to consider when driling a glow-plug, is not to go too deep, or else you may end up with swarf / drillings in your cylinder bores, and the only remedy is to take the head-off.

[DaveW555]

Thing to consider when driling a glow-plug, is not to go too deep, or else you may end up with swarf / drillings in your cylinder bores, and the only remedy is to take the head-off.

I think I mentioned that but definately worth the reminder