Glow Plug #2 Removal - Update/Seeking Advice

MicroBruin · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:29 am

Got the dreaded glow plug #2 code a few days ago (P0672). I was thinking of replacing just that one for the time being, assuming I don't have to yank a thousand things out of the engine bay to do so. I've looked at the tech write-ups here on the forum, and the service manual, and it seems maybe #2 can be accessed by just removing the alternator bracket and some wiring disconnects. Anyone out there replaced just plug #2, and can confirm? I have small hands, and nimble fingers, so I'm hoping that will play to my advantage. I must admit, I'm a little nervous about the tip breaking off. Planning on using the drop-in Etecno 7v plugs.

On a side note, I'm in west central Florida, and wondering if there's a rush on this. It still started fine at about 50 degrees the other night. Does leaving it in pose more of a risk of ceramic breakage?? Thanks in advance...

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:45 pm

#2 is easy. It's #3 that is difficult. Once they go bad, the glow plug is more prone to breaking. I'd change the bad one asap. If it was my ride, I would change them all out.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 12:52 pm

If it's failed I'd get it out of there ASAP as the ceramic tip has likely split in which case it's probably just a matter of time until bits start to fall off.

The good news is #2 is easy to get to.

The bad news is that some 05's were built with a back to front harness so your #2 may actually be #3 which is a witch to get to.

Only way to be sure is to measure the resistance.

MicroBruin · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 1:19 pm

dirtmover wrote:

The bad news is that some 05's were built with a back to front harness so your #2 may actually be #3 which is a witch to get to.

Only way to be sure is to measure the resistance.

Arghhhhh...maybe I should just do the whole job then, as much as I dread it. I just worry about that whole "if ain't broke" thing...I really don't want one of these to break off when I'm removing it. Well, maybe I'll take a look at the resistance test procedure first... Thanks

thermorex · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 2:34 pm

MicroBruin wrote:

dirtmover wrote:

The bad news is that some 05's were built with a back to front harness so your #2 may actually be #3 which is a witch to get to.

Only way to be sure is to measure the resistance.

Arghhhhh...maybe I should just do the whole job then, as much as I dread it. I just worry about that whole "if ain't broke" thing...I really don't want one of these to break off when I'm removing it. Well, maybe I'll take a look at the resistance test procedure first... Thanks

Get a deep socket and use a 1/4 drive, as they flex a bit more. And don't go ninja on them, if they don't budge, tie them a bit then untie them, use some pb blaster also. Take the hole elbow out and read squeeto's walkthrough in the tech forum. Just be smart and you'll be fine, usually it's not as bad as some people say it is

.

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:25 pm

If you decide to replace them all consider the Weeks Kit. It wasn't available when I did mine, but that intake elbow is a PITA. You'll be fiddling with/removing all the the same parts so might as well get them out while you're at it and the reassembly should be easier with this setup.

SC RIGGR · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2015 8:19 pm

I 2nd the Weeks elbow install, my GPs were split when removed. Luckily none were blistered too much to get out. Good luck

MicroBruin · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:34 am

Thanks for chiming in, guys. I've decided to do the #2 plug only for now. If I have a reversed harness and that doesn't solve the problem, I'll likely order up the remaining plugs and the weeks kit. I'm reasonably certain I can do#2 just removing the alternator bracket. So, I'll save the rest for when I have a little more time. My 16 month old boy is a little time bandit, so I'm gonna try the procrastination method for now... My poor Libby CRD isn't getting much of my focus these days... Hopefully she doesn't start acting out in an effort to get more attention...

Hexus · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:42 pm

Plug the block heater in, and soak the glow plug in PB'Laster about 30 min before you start working it out. Remember to work it back and forth slowly, and a nice piece of 3/8" rubber tubing taped to a stick makes a great GP removal tool (trust me).

dr5chrome · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 8:01 pm

Speaking of glow-plugs - What is the consensuses on changing the plugs re - mileage.. ?

Should we wait until the pugs fail to change them ? ..or change them at a certain mileage, regardless?

dw

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:29 pm

My consensus is to change all 4 shortly after the first one goes bad.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:38 am

There's many factors at play here.

My first one failed at 20,000km when the vehicle was barely a year old. It was changed under warranty but I wasn't about to change the other 3 at the same time. These early failures got me into a wait until fail mode.

Now if my first failure had been at 4 or 5 years I probably would have replaced them all at that point.

Bosch suggest that they age and do not heat up as effectively as they become more used. This could be purely to sell more but I have no reason not to believe them.

I don't think you can give a change interval based on age because total burn time versus age is also going to depend on ambient temperature e.g. mine work a heck of a lot harder than someone living in say Florida or Texas

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 07, 2015 9:17 pm

Keith advises IMMEDIATELY replacing plugs as soon as they throw a code.

DOC

flman · **Posted:** Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:37 am

Start the engine and get it hot before you remove the glow plug.

MicroBruin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:19 pm

Okay...so, given that my little CRD was a near mint, low mileage Florida truck, I was able to very easily remove glow plug 2, and it looked beautiful. No missing chunks, no nasty sludge or buildup....not even a speck of rust on the threads. However, as soon as I started the truck with the new plug, I got a new code...0671, showing a fault with plug #1. This seems way too suspicious to me. I've heard of them crapping out within in weeks of each other, but there was no previous code for plug #1. So, now I'm thinking it's either the module or harness. I will have to double check, and make sure I didn't loosen the harness from plug #1, but I'm wondering what you guys think. I guess testing the resistance could rule out both a bad plug and/or harness. If it's good, then I guess I would know the module is bad, right? Thanks.

Hexus · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 3:46 pm

New plugs have been known to throw faults, it wouldn't be unheard of. The simplest solution is to switch them.

I.E. move an easily accessed plug that is currently not throwing faults to #1 and see if it does at #1.

That will eliminate whether it's a plug/harness issue and only cost you labor.

MicroBruin · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2015 8:54 pm

Hexus wrote:

New plugs have been known to throw faults, it wouldn't be unheard of. The simplest solution is to switch them.

I.E. move an easily accessed plug that is currently not throwing faults to #1 and see if it does at #1.

That will eliminate whether it's a plug/harness issue and only cost you labor.

Is it common for a different glow plug than the one you replace to immediately throw a code? That's what is weird...I wouldn't be surprised if the new glow-plug threw a code initially, but it's an entirely different one...strange....

I guess there is one other possibility here. I drove around for a couple of weeks before changing the glow plug. I guess, maybe, #1 could have gone bad during that time as well, although it seems unlikely.

The truck has been starting a little rough when the engine isn't warm (I'm in Florida, thank god...hasn't dropped below 55 in my garage). So, there's no doubt in my mind that a plug is not heating up right. This truck usually starts flawlessly, without so much as a hiccup. Hmmmm....guess I'll have to play around in the garage a little more.

Hexus · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 5:37 pm

I guess I could have put it more simply.

Switch out #1 GP with #2 (or any for that matter) GP. If the code moves to #2 (or wherever) you know it's a GP issue, if not, it's the harness.

flman · **Posted:** Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:48 pm

Hexus wrote:

I guess I could have put it more simply.

Switch out #1 GP with #2 (or any for that matter) GP. If the code moves to #2 (or wherever) you know it's a GP issue, if not, it's the harness.

Do the GP wires have enough slack to swap 1 & 2, that way he would not have to remove them. I check my GPs with an ohm meter, and the one that is off gets changed.

Hexus · **Posted:** Thu Mar 05, 2015 9:16 pm

flman wrote:

Hexus wrote:

I guess I could have put it more simply.

Switch out #1 GP with #2 (or any for that matter) GP. If the code moves to #2 (or wherever) you know it's a GP issue, if not, it's the harness.

Do the GP wires have enough slack to swap 1 & 2, that way he would not have to remove them. I check my GPs with an ohm meter, and the one that is off gets changed.

IIRC, no, they aren't long enough to interchange with each other.

Glow Plug #2 Removal - Update/Seeking Advice

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