They are behind the injection pump on my 89jetta 1.6
Lots of slow wrenching. That's the way I always did it. I'd run separate wires to them all when you put them back in. That way you can put the wire on the plug with the nut a tiny bit loose, and use the wire to guide the plug in the hole. Then tighten the plug, then the nut. That way you don't have to try to get the nut on the plug while it is back there.
carefully..
Seriously though, you need a end wrench and patience.
I would stuff a rag down there under them so when you drop stuff it doesn't disappear for good.
In the past I have loosened the nuts holding the strap to the plugs then using the correct sized wrench I twisted them out a little at a time with the strap still attached, turn one then the other so they come out at about the same time. then when they come out of the head they are attached to the strap still, reverse procedure to re install.
I'd just pull the inj. lines off, makes it simple.
I take off the injection lines, and take them out with common wrenches - and Ive never dropped a nut - takes a little patience and both your index fingers unscrewing the copper bus bar nut.
i use a couple of wrenches that have the closed end as a ratchet . they seem to work pretty well . ( ie ratchet wrenches ) .
you also need to remove the injector lines .
when putting the new glow plugs in , make sure you don't cross thread them , ( #1 on mine was cross threaded from a former owner ) .
when it comes to put the small screws for power bar , i don't bother with the washers , and use a piece of silver solder bent at 90 degree's , one end on the tip of the glow plug , the other gets the nut dropped onto it , then guide the nut to the tip of the glow plug , and carefully spin with a long pair of needle nose plyers till it catches the threads.
good luck , and by yourself a case of beer , and be prepared for it to take all day
.... and just be glad you don't have to change the heater core yet
I used a craftsman ratcheting box-end wrench and a extra long double box-end wrench for the plugs. A magnetic pick-up tool (most used tool on my VW) to hold the nuts while I started the threads with a long flat screwdriver. I didn't remove the injector lines, but next time my patience will probably force me too. :roll: Having separate wires is nicer than the copper bar too.
Flexible magnet.
Take out the lines, and then use the magnet as a finger to help spin the nuts back on (getting them off is easy).
I just did it the other day. Took about 40 min.