[veggigolf]

Okay, so I have the common problem that two glowplugs are stuck in the engine, driver's side frontmost and pass. side rearmost. I tried wd-40 and long-nosed vice grips on the driver's side and got everything but the element out of the hole. It is now too deep inside the hole to reach with the vice-grips.

Not wanting to mess with removing the heads, I've searched the forums, read Zigg's article, and talked to several people with different solutions.

One man said to plug in the block heater for an hour or so, disconnect the harnesses on the fuel filter housing, install some pillows over the subject GPs, and bump the starter a few times. Supposedly the GP will shoot out of the engine from the compression.

Another said to put the piston to TDC for the respective cylinder, then drill out the glow plug, then vacuum out the bits from the injector hole.

I did not attempt to vice-grip the GP on the pass. side. I would rather sell the truck as-is than remove the heads, etc.

I know there are no glow plug "tips" in the cylinder prechambers-I understand the danger of sucking these down into the cylinders.

Suggestions/advice are greatly appreciated!

 

[gnxtc2]

I heard that MerCruiser makes an awesome carbon cutter. I would find that stuff and soak the stuck GPs. Then disconnect the injector harness, place a pillow over the the GP and hopefully they shoot out.

BTW, what type/brand GPs are they?

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[bugman]

Here is a trick that Dale Isley of Tymar Performance uses:

If you get a plug stuck because of a carbon head on the end of it, you can fashion a puller from a small needle nose vise grips to get it out. Take a look here:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/35293777/1481147154031720211IzdVEU

I used a long bolt to replace the stock adjustment bolt on the vise grip. For a slide weight, I used a couple acorn nuts off a semi welded together, but you could use about anything that will slip over the diameter of the bolt. You end up with this:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/35293777/1481147561031720211SslSfn

Use the vise grip to grab the end securely, then use the slide to knock the plug back into the engine. A little carb cleaner and a good yank will usually get it out. If it wedges tight again, just repeat the process until you get enough carbon knocked off to remove the glow plug from the head.

Much easier and quicker than pulling the head. Torque spec for installing the plugs is 14lbs ft (168lbs inch).

 

[angst]

I had the problem once and someone here told me to squirt heaps of PB Blaster spray into the area and just fill up the entire hole with the PB Blaster and leave it overnight.
The PB Blaster did the trick. The next day I was able to pull and push on it with needle nose pliers without exerting too much force and get it out.
You can get the spray at any parts store.

I do remember many dire warnings about breaking part of a glow plug off inside, so take your time. Don't be in a hurry.
Give two soaking sessions if you have too rather than pulling on it too hard.

 

[edieedie]

go get the stuff from merc cruiser,and save yourself a lot of wok and grief

 

[drwoodchopper]

Years ago I had an Autolite plug tip come off in my 96'. I was having a hard start issue and changed the plugs back to motorcraft anyway when I pulled the plug the tip was gone. No sign of damage in the combustion chamber and no visable damage to the turbo. My theory is it just got pulvarized in the combustion chamber and exited the exhaust valve in very small pieces. I don't recommend this though I am just sure the pistons, valves and heads are much stronger than a ceramic tip.
Good luck