Glow Plug Problems

[BellCityDubber]

Ok, so I decided to do my glow plugs on my own today.

I managed to get the ones on the tranny side out and replaced.
The ones behind the pump aren't that far along.

I think I may have messed up...

the one closest to the belt side isnt going in with ease, I think I may have messed the threads...  :cry: the DIY said hand tighten, but I cant get my paws in there.  

and the one right behind the pump is halfway in, halfway out and isnt going ANYWHERE... :shock:

I dunno what I'm going to do, does anyone have any advise they could give me? (please be reasonable)
thanks guys.

[Baxter]

Take the pump off to get a better view if you really do think you've f**ked something.
Ohterwise, bite the bullet and take it to a man that can.

[BellCityDubber]

Well, everythings in and back together
took it for a boot.. hammered the smoke button up till 15psi a number of times....
checked the one glow plug that I thought would be suspect.  

No leaks, nothing.

I would assume I'm okay.

[burn_your_money]

How'd you fix it? what was wrong?

[BellCityDubber]

How'd you fix it? what was wrong?

I dunno, it was just really hard to thread in, so I took it out, and tried threading it in again, and... well.. same result.. it was in straight like the rest of them, but required a bit more effort than the other three.

I went on a few sites after querying "glow plugs" in google and triend a recommendation used on a MB forum.  Use WD40 on the threads while threading in.

I also checked the threads and there was grey stuff (not metal shards) in the threads of the plug. [maybe anti-sieze?]

so I threaded it back in... took it for a run or two or three and I was good.

if I did manage to F it up, I think I'll just see how it goes for a while, if it leaks. oh well.. time for a new head... but I'm toying with the idea of getting a 1.9 head anyways..

well, we'll see

[burn_your_money]

Oh ok, so there was probably some oil residue making it tough to turn in (hopefully anyways)

[BellCityDubber]

Oh ok, so there was probably some oil residue making it tough to turn in (hopefully anyways)

yea, I would guess so.. but now I cant get the last 2 8mm nuts on the glow plugs behind the injection pump..
meh
but the car runs anyways

[addautomotive]

Try putting a little grease on the wrench to get the nut to stick to it.

I've started doing it this way:
-put grease on a flat head screwdriver
-stick the nut to the side of the screwdriver
-using the screwdriver, place the nut against the thread of the glowplug
-use a second flat screwdriver to "spin" the nut on, pushing against the flats on the nut
-once the nut's on, tighten with 8mm wrench

[addautomotive]

'nother trick:

Instead of the "bus" bar that connects all the glow plugs, run an individual wire to each GP. That way, if you start having trouble you can easily check each one individually.

[1slowvw]

'nother trick:

Instead of the "bus" bar that connects all the glow plugs, run an individual wire to each GP. That way, if you start having trouble you can easily check each one individually.

I have thought of doing this, would you mind letting me know what guage wire your using. My "bus" bar has seen better days and I would like this car to start when the cold weather sets In.
                                                      1SlowVW

[burn_your_money]

Another idea is to connect all the glow plugs to the bus bar when they are not installed. Keep the 8mms loose. You can still wrench on the injector, and then you just need to tighten the 8mms after. I've never done it this way before so I don't know how well it works. I've only changed plugs once and I had the pump off

[addautomotive]

Another idea is to connect all the glow plugs to the bus bar when they are not installed. Keep the 8mms loose. You can still wrench on the injector, and then you just need to tighten the 8mms after. I've never done it this way before so I don't know how well it works. I've only changed plugs once and I had the pump off

Yeah I read about that method too. I tried it once, but not successfully. As I tightened the glow plugs, the 8mm nuts would loosen against the bus bar. That's when I said "F this" and started running individual wires. Maybe others have done that succesfully though. Overall, I think it's a practice thing. I've done it 4-5 times now; first time I did glow plugs it took me over half a day, last time it took me 30-40 minutes.

I have thought of doing this, would you mind letting me know what guage wire your using. My "bus" bar has seen better days and I would like this car to start when the cold weather sets In.

Not sure, actually. I got a roll of really nice thick copper wire at a yard sale. I'd say it's 8 or 10ga. Used good quality stainless connections. Woulda used copper if it was available, but was in a pinch.

I wish the quote function was working better

[addautomotive]

whazzupwitdat?

Must be a glitch within the settings of this particular forum... It works fine on other php-based forums I use.

I'm going to call my MLA, my Pastor and the UN to complain.

[BellCityDubber]

whazzupwitdat?

Must be a glitch within the settings of this particular forum... It works fine on other php-based forums I use.

I'm going to call my MLA, my Pastor and the UN to complain.

I find if I click on "disable HTML in this post" that the quote function works great

[BellCityDubber]

whazzupwitdat?

Must be a glitch within the settings of this particular forum... It works fine on other php-based forums I use.

I'm going to call my MLA, my Pastor and the UN to complain.

I find if I click on "disable HTML in this post" that the quote function works great

Well, I'll be jiggered...

Actually you can set that as a default in your profile:

Always allow HTML: (check "no")

Andrew

yep
works like a charm