Broken glow plug - can't get it out!

Big Dunc

Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
75
0
I had a go this morning and failed to get it out.

I stopped as I dont want to damage the head and make more trouble.

What labour is involved to take the head off? I am guessing I am looking at a days work if I do it myself or about £500 at the local garage, plus of course, the cost of a head kit, and it should have a new cam belt at the same time, even though the one on there is only 6 months and 2,000 miles old.

I am not a happy bunny. This was meant to be a reliable car, but so far it has been a money pit.
 

RLyons

Active Member
Sep 20, 2010
310
0
Totally agree with you mate! I think I am going to get the head taken off and sort the problem the proper way. Really can't afford it but wouldn't be able to sell the car in it's current state!
 

Big Dunc

Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
75
0
Mine is going in next week to a local workshop who, having had a quick look at it, are confident that they can drill the glow plug out and then extract the debris and re-tap the thread without removing the head. Still wont be cheap, about half the price of taking the head off.

If they fail, it will be "head off " time, which I also cannot afford.

I love the car, I wanted something economical and fun to drive. While its not a rocket ship, or quite as fast as I am used to, it does fit the bill nicely (its an FR 150).

Its a 2004 model I bought it a year ago on 40,000 miles with full main dealer history. One of the reasons for buying it was that everyone said that it would be good and reliable. So far, it has had a cam belt and set of tyres (both of which to be fair, I knew it would need before buying), 2 A.C. re-gasses, 2 temp probes, an A.C. filter drier and an A.C. Compressor, a full service (which to be fair, would be expected in a years motoring), front and rear discs and pads, this glow plug issue, and the clutch has just started slipping.

It has not been a cheap motoring year, and while I love the car, and it is reasonably economical fuel wise, it is not really that quick, or cheap to own. Sorry, rant over.
 

RLyons

Active Member
Sep 20, 2010
310
0
I went to volksmaster today and they said it was the head which is knackered not the actual plug, meaning it will have to be helicoiled but even that may not work. We came to the conclusion that the best thing to do would be get a second hand head and swap them, minimum time and effort. To do it properly, replacing cambelt, water pump, gaskets etc. would be in the region of £1200-1400!

So, that's not going to happen.... what car should I buy??
 

Big Dunc

Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
75
0
Oh dear.

I dont know what you should get.

Assuming that it is starting OK, you could plug a new glowplug into the harness and give it a good earth. That should get the light out.

I agree, it is not worth spending a four figure sum on a glow plug.
 

whitz end

Guest
I have swapped all four glow plugs tonight. I got the engine hot and they came out ok. Does anybody know if there is a torque setting for tightening when refitting. I just pulled them down tight and started the engine up to see if it ran ok with no obvious leaks. Bonjour. whitz end
 

Nath.

The Gentlemans Express
Jan 1, 2006
8,620
16
EASTLEIGH, HAMPSHIRE
I would get the engine very hot and then warm the plug up with a blow torch, if that doesn't work you will be looking at leaving it there and using resistors to get the light out.
 

Big Dunc

Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
75
0
Well mine has had a happy ending.
A local machine shop drilled it out and helicoiled it yesterday.
Not cheap, but a lot cheaper than taking the head off.
 

RLyons

Active Member
Sep 20, 2010
310
0
Excellent! Glad to hear it mate! Mind PM'ing me how much you paid out of interest? I am in search of a clio 197, screw VAG, every one I've ever owned has been riddled with faults! I'm sure the Renault will be the same but at least I'll enjoy it when it's working!
 

Big Dunc

Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
75
0
Its not secret.

I paid £215 for them to drill out the old injector, fit a helicoil, clean remove any debris that may have gone inside (this involved removing the injector, so they could have a boroscope down one hole and a magnet on a stick down the other hole) and fit the new injector (which I supplied as I already had). To gain decent access they removed the under tray in order to remove the turbo pipe, and of course replaced them after.
Finally they cleared the fault codes and gave it a good test / inspection to make sure that the helicoil was not leaking.
This was more of a specialist work shop than your normal main dealer or back street garage, although they do mainly do automotive work.
It took them all day, and he said that for some of that time, there were 2 people working on it.
On that basis, while I dont know what there normal hourly rate is, I would consider it excellent value for money, especially as it saved the head having to come off.
Before they started, they said that if I just wanted the engine light to go out, they could fit the glow plug to the loom, put a sleeve round it so it didnt burn anything, and give it a good earth. They also warned me, after they had removed everything for access, but before they started drilling, that they would probably have to go slightly oversized (which they did) and that in the unlikely event of things going wrong, it may result in a new head being required, which they would not pay for, but it was my choice whether or not I wanted them to proceed. I am glad I said to carry on.

The place is in Eastbourne, let me know if you want their details.
 

paul17

Active Member
Aug 25, 2016
4
0
gloucestershire
Am having this issue at the moment, cylinder 2 plug is faulty. Tried myself and it was stuck in. Took it to local garage who was doing something else and asked them to have a go. They recon it will most prob snap. Rang a VW specalist who says if it still starts and runs fine just leave it alone. Is taking the head off worth it if it does snap? Left it alone and clear the EML using my own scanner if it bothers me.
 

paul17

Active Member
Aug 25, 2016
4
0
gloucestershire
Know the feeling and feel your pain. I love my FR150. I the 12 months i have had it, Glow plug issue x2, leaking door cards, coolant temp sensor, fan electrical fault, new turbo, discs and pads all round.
Nice car. but please stop now.
 

RLyons

Active Member
Sep 20, 2010
310
0
Wow, old thread!

I eventually part exchanged the car with the EML on. Unluckily for me I later had a similar issue with a spark plug backing out and taking the thread with it. I had an engineer make up an insert, that was threaded and glued in. He was confident that any swarf could be blown out so long as the exhaust valves were open when doing the work. Cost about £100 and was on a BMW. How unlucky am I!?!

If say if the car runs ok just leave it in place. If you do try to remove make sure you do it with a cold engine and let's penetrating fluid soak in for as long as possible before. Also try and sound out an engineer if you do need to repair it like me!

Good luck!
 
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