I have had my croma 1.9jtd 8v Eleganza for about 4 weeks now. I like it, its original haven't seen another on the road yet... The only issue I have at the moment is the "check glow plugs" warning on the dash. I took it to a garage owned by a friend of the family to have the glow plugs checked. He called me later in the day and told me it would be about 4 hours work as the glow plugs are not on top of the engine and didn't wanna stiff me with 4 hours labour charge only to find nothing wrong with glow plugs as no problem with starting car.
My question is this (sorry to ramble) is there an easy way to get to the glow plugs to change them ? Surely they can't be that hard to get too? any help would be much appreciated.

very easy to check the glow plugs, but you need a good multimeter - at least 12A one, don't use a cheepo one because it will blow straight away

as i don't own a 8v i don't know where the glow plugs are on it, but if you find them then take the wires off and connect red cable from multimeter to positive terminal on the battery and VERY carefully touch the tip of the glow plug with black cable - the amp meter should read around 10A - if it isn't then this glow plug is faulty

if you don't have a good multimeter then use a piece of thick copper wire - it must be well insulated (doh!) - just connect one end to battery and touch the tip of the plug with the other end - it should spark slightly on contact if it doesn't the plug is faulty

you can replace only one plug at a time (unlike on petrol engine) - no need to change them all, only the faulty one

on my 16v i tested all plugs and changed the faulty one in under 10min

Thanks for the above info but my real problem is getting to the glow plugs surely it can't be a 4 hour job to do this ? Can anyone tell me where they are and how to get to them?

arti_abarth said:

... on my 16v i tested all plugs and changed the faulty one in under 10min

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The [check glow plugs] signal has been showing on my Prestigio for some time – I’d say around 7m & 7K miles. During that period I think the car has been into my indie three times – MoT, service, & front brakes. (Although not absolutely sure the signal was there at MoT). The car starts fine & whenever I’ve mentioned it they seem unconcerned. My concern is, if they’re so easy to replace – then surely they’d take-up the opportunity. But they’re an honest outfit & don’t do operations until necessary. My fear is perhaps based on the horror stories of leaving it too long before getting them changed.

Edited: Pic
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t146/saxmaniac5/engine-3.jpg

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55 1.9/16v150 Prestigio (75.9Kmls)
120726

I don't think you'll notice whether they're working when the weather's warm. If you don't bother waiting for the light to go out (glow plugs warming up), then it will usually start fine in this kind of weather.

The test will be in the winter, when they're actually needed.

clivegreen8 said:

Thanks for the above info but my real problem is getting to the glow plugs surely it can't be a 4 hour job to do this ? Can anyone tell me where they are and how to get to them?

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Recently had mine done, at back on top of engine, need to remove covers to get at ( they are buried) and need broken fingers , good eyes and various "wobbly" ratchet extensions to get at, is an awkward job but took around an hour. Had same fault as you, light on but no probs starting, changed glow plugs fault cured. No way a four hour job.

regards

Just checked, Fiat time for doing job 0.50, half an hour, although is waranty time, if you allow a bit extra for bolt seizure etc, will take around an hour which is what mine roughly took to do.

Thanks for all the reply's guys. Mal did you have yours done by fiat or did you do them yourself ?

clivegreen8 said:

Thanks for all the reply's guys. Mal did you have yours done by fiat or did you do them yourself ?

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By a friends garage, although could have done myself but too old to get my hands dirty now, used to do that sort of thing lol.

Just been quoted 176 quid to replace by local fiat garage is that good ?

Do it yourself, this is a quick job trust me, just buy some plugs from Shop4Parts and have a go!

https://www.fiatforum.com/bravo-guides/303831-changing-glow-plugs.html

Will take a look thanks for the link freebo

Had a look today the glow plugs are majorly buried at the back of the engine. There is no way I can get to them without taking great lumps of the engine off ! Obviously not the same as the bravo engine. Makes me wonder how fiat say they can do the job in an hour ???

Practice....
Ta

Has anyone actually managed to change the glow plugs on a croma 1.9 jtd 8 valve themselves. If so how did you get to the plugs I can't even get me fingers on em ? ?

I changed the glow plugs three years ago when I had just bought my Croma.
It is not difficult, easier then on the Stilo.

Don't let tools fall at the backside of the engine as I always do.

the glow plugs are on the top of engine under engine cover which just pulls off you need a long socket to remove them you should be able to change them your self

I had the same message on the dash on my 8v a few months back. Glow plugs on the 8v are difficult to get at. The Control Unit, manufactured by Centralina Electronica, is on the Bulk Head held by a 10mm, socket size, washered nut directly behind the engine. Supply is direct from the battery plus two plugs, one the control connection from the ECU the other is the connector to the Glow Plugs. The plug nearest the 12v supply is the connecter supplying the Glow Plugs, each Glow plug is supplied separately by the four separate connectors of the plug. Remove the plug and check each connector resistance to ground, should be about one ohm to ground. However the fault on mine was the 12volt supply from the battery which is protected by a 60amp fuse which had blown. It's a special flat fuse a little fidily to change and marked 60 on top. There are three fuses at the back of the battery off of the distribution panel, check each with a volt meter. You may be lucky like me and find the one blown which feeds the Glow Plug controller and not have to change the Glow Plugs. Good luck.
Kadee.