Mini Glow plugs tightening on removal
Discussion
Anyone have experience of this, 2013 Mini throwing up glow plug DTC's, new set of plugs ready to swap over but when loosening
them after 2 turns they get tighter and tighter to the extent I just know they are going to break, tried slightly loosening then leaving them
steeped in WD40, tried the constant tighten then loosen trick, tried them hot and cold, nothing makes any difference and all 4 are the exact
same. Any ideas folks?
them after 2 turns they get tighter and tighter to the extent I just know they are going to break, tried slightly loosening then leaving them
steeped in WD40, tried the constant tighten then loosen trick, tried them hot and cold, nothing makes any difference and all 4 are the exact
same. Any ideas folks?
Prefer to use Plusgas.
Quick ebay suggests your gp's are long & thin & look pretty much the same as those on Sprinter vans (like mine) which also have a bit of a rep for shearing. Bloody silly design.
Touch wood I've not had a problem with mine using hot engine, plenty of plusgas & patience working them back & forth in 1/4 turns until they freed. They did move then stick & it was just a case of perseverance & the perspiration of worry but they did all free off.
All as suggested on various forums & youtubes - cold engine is a no no & I had it up to normal full working temp.
I have seen it recommended to use a torque wrench on stubborn ones to prevent putting too much torque on them & shearing the top off.
I did use 3/8 drive stuff & a T-bar to try & keep things straight.
Good luck!
Quick ebay suggests your gp's are long & thin & look pretty much the same as those on Sprinter vans (like mine) which also have a bit of a rep for shearing. Bloody silly design.
Touch wood I've not had a problem with mine using hot engine, plenty of plusgas & patience working them back & forth in 1/4 turns until they freed. They did move then stick & it was just a case of perseverance & the perspiration of worry but they did all free off.
All as suggested on various forums & youtubes - cold engine is a no no & I had it up to normal full working temp.
I have seen it recommended to use a torque wrench on stubborn ones to prevent putting too much torque on them & shearing the top off.
I did use 3/8 drive stuff & a T-bar to try & keep things straight.
Good luck!
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 3rd November 11:43
like mentioned above patience and feel if things dont improve and you manage to shear them off your in for a rough ride As above, good advice, you just need to persevere, they will move a touch more each turn but be extremely careful not to over torque/round them off or you will be in a whole world of pain.
A light oil is much better than WD40.
Diesel is good, a 50/50 mix of ATF/Acetone is an excellent penetrating fluid.
A light oil is much better than WD40.
Diesel is good, a 50/50 mix of ATF/Acetone is an excellent penetrating fluid.
Find a garage that has an induction heater, they can use the smallest ring attachment to heat it right where it goes in the head, which is as close as you can get. Cherry red then quench with water. Will screw out easy as after this. Not worth risking at home, if they snap you are in a world of pain.
markcoznottz said:
Find a garage that has an induction heater, they can use the smallest ring attachment to heat it right where it goes in the head, which is as close as you can get. Cherry red then quench with water. Will screw out easy as after this. Not worth risking at home, if they snap you are in a world of pain.
Oil is far better then water less chance of cracks or metal fatigueUpdate on how this was resolved.... I loosened the glow plugs to the point where there was least friction, (about 1 full turn from fully tightened), I then poured ATF into the ports and left it overnight, next day I started by tightening them back up first and then removal, the difference was profound, they all came out with only minimal force required, this was with the engine and glow plugs stone cold.
No carbon build up on the tips.
Happy days and a potential nightmare averted.
No carbon build up on the tips.
Happy days and a potential nightmare averted.
Edited by Pastor Of Muppets on Thursday 18th November 20:20
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