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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: BellCityDubber on November 22, 2006, 12:51:30 pm

Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 22, 2006, 12:51:30 pm
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.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: Baxter on November 22, 2006, 12:57:49 pm
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.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 22, 2006, 07:13:17 pm
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.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: burn_your_money on November 22, 2006, 08:43:10 pm
How'd you fix it? what was wrong?
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 23, 2006, 12:12:26 am
Quote from: "burn_your_money"
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
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: burn_your_money on November 23, 2006, 06:11:32 am
Oh ok, so there was probably some oil residue making it tough to turn in (hopefully anyways)
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 23, 2006, 11:08:24 am
Quote from: "burn_your_money"
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 :D
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: addautomotive on November 23, 2006, 11:33:52 am
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
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: addautomotive on November 23, 2006, 11:37:30 am
'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.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: 1slowvw on November 23, 2006, 11:44:02 am
Quote from: 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.


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
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: burn_your_money on November 23, 2006, 05:53:51 pm
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
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: addautomotive on November 24, 2006, 05:46:12 am
Quote from: 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


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.


Quote from: 1SlowVW
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
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: addautomotive on November 24, 2006, 08:25:58 am
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.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 24, 2006, 12:00:55 pm
Quote from: "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.


I find if I click on "disable HTML in this post" that the quote function works great
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 25, 2006, 12:36:19 am
Quote from: "libbybapa"
Quote from: "BellCityDubber"
Quote from: "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.


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 :D
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: addautomotive on November 25, 2006, 07:07:28 am
Hot Damn!

Quote from: "BellCityDubber"
Quote from: "libbybapa"
Quote from: "BellCityDubber"
Quote from: "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.


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 :D
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: BellCityDubber on November 26, 2006, 02:02:31 pm
Just to follow up (becasue everyone likes a conclusion to a story)

I went out and got a few 8mm nuts and a 8mm gear wrench. I managed to use a few tips from people to get the last few 8mm nuts on the busbar..

8mm gear wrench with the nut inside with a dab of grease to hold the nut while a screwdriver pushed on for tension seemed to work just nicely.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: burn_your_money on November 26, 2006, 02:47:48 pm
Thanks for the follow up. It's always nice to know what works
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: be12clicks on January 23, 2007, 12:21:11 pm
Just wanted to say this thread was a huge help for my job of changing my glow plugs out on a 1990 Turbo Diesel Jetta I have.  Screwdriver and grease saved the day.  Thanks!

BTW, new member here, glad to have come across this site, I've had my car for close to 6 months now and am loving driving diesel.
Title: Glow Plug Problems
Post by: theocrytus on February 02, 2007, 05:09:49 pm
if you wanna use individual wires between the glow plugs use a 14 or maybee even a 12 gauge wire. attach one of those round connectors to both ends of the wire so you can tighten it to the post of glow plug. So it look like something below. This is what I have done after I F'd my bus bar up. The VW dealership wanted $50 for a new one so this is what i did and i have had no problems at all.

0=---------=0=---------=0=--------=0