Glow Plug replacement blunder

talon64 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 02, 2016 1:27 am **Posts:** 9

Hey All,

up here in canada, things could be better. was replacing my glow plugs, and things were going great. good tunes, not freezing, and finally got that fcv valve out. then... hell breaks loose. after handling the glow plug like a baby holding nitroglycerin, this comes out.

.. what's the verdict guys? i cant really wait to get the tools for tearing off the head, seems like most the threads are still on the part remaining. is it driveable as is until the alignment tools come in? once the head is off, are they easy to get to to put some pliers on and get them out? thanks... panicking a tad here

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2017 3:07 am

Not so easy to get to, and pliers are not going to help you with this one.
The one stroke of luck is the heating element part internal to the threads has come out.
The bad news is the part of the outer shell that remains, is from the seal portion (just behind the tip) out to and including the threads. This means that what remains is still under the compression of installed torque.
If you're extremely lucky, some PB Blaster or other good penetrating fluid, followed by an ez-out might work. Just don't use cheap ones and snap it off.
If you have access to someone with a very fine torch and a very steady hand, one might be able to apply heat to the remaining steel portion (inside the tube) to relieve the compression and allow it to be threaded out. Extreme caution advised, though, so not to damage the aluminum head.
You MIGHT be able to drive it but you run the risk of a ceramic bullet shooting out, and I have no idea what damage it might do. I just really hope for your sake it comes out with the rest of the compressed tube. Otherwise you might be pulling a head or doing an extraction through the injector hole anyway.

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2017 3:13 am

Starting and driving it will only result in the tip being expelled through the center of the tube that remains. It won't hurt anything in the engine but it will create a massive compression leak.

You can't drive it like that, and you probably will end up digging out the head to take it to a machine shop. If you are ***VERY*** lucky, reverse drill bits / large easy-out will work to grab what remains and unthread it.

This is not going to be much fun. When you finally get it out - Put aluminum anti-seize all over the barrel of the plug and the threads. These stupid things jam and shear so easily.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:11 am

It is NOT driveable!!! The guts are gone out of the GP and you will have a massive compression leak!!!

Which GP was it; location is important for access without pulling the intake.
Use some real GOOD penetrating oil like PB Blaster or CRC Freeze-Off Super Penetrant
Plug in block heater for a few hours before trying to extract GP. (may help loosen the tension on the threads a little)
You can try an easyout extraction tool, but keep in mind most easyout tools put additional tension on the threads as they are rotated into the cavity!
Left hand drill bit may work if you can get perfectly STRAIGHT on it and it must be an exact size; big enough for the bit to grab it, but small enough not to touch or cut the aluminum head GP threads!

Final option: pull head and take it to a machine shop for extraction! (if you pull head; I would replace all the exhaust valves and install ARP head studs.)

They make a tool kit for removing broken GP's; but if the GP is not accessible you may have to pull the intake to get at it. :roll:

(if you have to pull intake, replace all head bolts with ARP head studs and inspect all rockers for wear and replace any that are worn)

There are also some YouTube videos you can watch on removing broken GP with the tool set.
Good luck and keep us posted... :wink:

Tool kit on Amazon:> https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Glow-Rem ... ug+removal

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2017 4:39 pm

You dont need the timing tools to take the head off, just to reinstall, so you could get started with a head pull, and even reinstall the head and rocker cover, but you will have to wait for the tools to arrive to correctly time the engine. and put it back on the road.

Glow Plug replacement blunder

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