Technical 1.9 Mulitjet 105 Glow Plugs

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Technical 1.9 Mulitjet 105 Glow Plugs

fletcher7751

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Them again......glow plugs

I'm usually OK with spanners, patient enough to take off what's needed to make a job possible with minimal risk - don't want them snapping or stripping threads, BUT

Having seen the sparse advice on changing them on this engine (usually the videos are with the plugs sitting nicely up in clear sight on a 1.3), l set to and took off the fuel return box, EGR and injector cables, and then came to a stop - Visibility is still poor, let alone trying to "feel" them from behind

Concerned at the possible/probable consequences of carrying on, back it all went

They do need changing, l now go through three phases of warming them before turning the engine over whereby it starts reasonably well, one phase and it's smoke time

Can anybody joint me in the direction of a video showing how to change them, or what if any special tools are available to the dealers l have asked local Fiat for a labour only cost, hard hat at the ready

Terrified that some less than careful mechanic might end up damaging the head and the costs that will follow l have been reluctant to get anybody to change them, but have asked for quotes from a local well reviewed workshop - just not a Fiat specialist or with this engine.

Any advice on a trusted specialist, (much better than a garage trying on this engine for the first time) or anywhere l can get better advice on how to change them would be great appreciated.
 
Stilo section should have reasonable info

I did my marea 105.. dropped one.. couldnt find it.. then shop had no stock.. so had to find it ..wedged down the back of block

By the time my 110 needed plugs.. my back wouldnt let me : I could get to 2 of the 4 enough to slacken and remake cable connection.. but after 20 mins I too realised it was in vain :(
 
I empathise with that

I was almost looking forwards to doing it today, soon changed when l couldn't feel them let alone see them with a powerful torch, hidden away in their little cosy cave

Why on earth any manufacturer would locate any service item in such a place is beyond me. Bit like putting your house fuse board under the foundations!
Being cynical it could only be driven by expecting to get the service work, but it's close to the point where one mishap and it's an uneconomic scrapper ie damaged cylinder head, which is criminal cos it's a sweet runner and has been well looked after. I got it two years old with 15,000 miles and it's served us all well

I got an "estimate" of two hours and £152 with the caveat "...if one breaks it's an expensive outcome"

As that was labour only I was rather hoping that l was buying some knowledge and expertise to prevent it breaking
 
I empathise with that

I was almost looking forwards to doing it today, soon changed when l couldn't feel them let alone see them with a powerful torch, hidden away in their little cosy cave

Why on earth any manufacturer would locate any service item in such a place is beyond me. Bit like putting your house fuse board under the foundations!
Being cynical it could only be driven by expecting to get the service work, but it's close to the point where one mishap and it's an uneconomic scrapper ie damaged cylinder head, which is criminal cos it's a sweet runner and has been well looked after. I got it two years old with 15,000 miles and it's served us all well

I got an "estimate" of two hours and £152 with the caveat "...if one breaks it's an expensive outcome"

As that was labour only I was rather hoping that l was buying some knowledge and expertise to prevent it breaking

What year is your car?
Is the glow plug light flashing after engine starts?
When fuel filter last changed ?
How many miles since changed?
Total miles on car?
Do you know if in tank electric pump works for a few seconds when you switch ignition on ?
Jack
 
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Hi Jackwhoo, thanks for your reply

Its a 2008 car
The glow plug light usually goes off after starting, but it can flash randomly at other times, l think it's more EGR associated, a dose of Forte and or a clearing run sorts that out
Doesn't use oil between changes
I change fuel filter every year (9000 miles ish)- it's been spoiled, most recent under 200 miles ago
The smokey delayed starts have been happening for around three months
Just started it, yes the fuel pump does whirr away for a couple of seconds before trying to start

It turns over well, battery is managing, but have to keep turning on the key
It'll try to start a couple of times, before it runs, along with the smoke

Does seem classic glow plugs, but open to advice

I read somewhere that one chap said he took off the exhaust manifold to give access to the plugs?

I would rather have good access than risk snapping them in place with joints in a quarter drive socket and struggling TBH

Thanks again
 
Have you tried 'double warming?

Let the plugs have their 5 seconds of power..
But then do it again before cranking..

If it makes a difference.. its poor plug heat ;)

If no difference it COULD be a different issue..
however a cloud of unburnt fuel should mean injection is fine.. its just ignition takes some work :eek:
 
Hi Jackwhoo, thanks for your reply

Its a 2008 car
The glow plug light usually goes off after starting, but it can flash randomly at other times, l think it's more EGR associated, a dose of Forte and or a clearing run sorts that out
Doesn't use oil between changes
I change fuel filter every year (9000 miles ish)- it's been spoiled, most recent under 200 miles ago
The smokey delayed starts have been happening for around three months
Just started it, yes the fuel pump does whirr away for a couple of seconds before trying to start

It turns over well, battery is managing, but have to keep turning on the key
It'll try to start a couple of times, before it runs, along with the smoke

Does seem classic glow plugs, but open to advice

I read somewhere that one chap said he took off the exhaust manifold to give access to the plugs?

I would rather have good access than risk snapping them in place with joints in a quarter drive socket and struggling TBH

Thanks again

If glow plug controller detects a faulty glow plug the glow plug light flashes for a while after start.
Don't know why flashes at other times.

You can check the resistance of each glow plug at glow plug controller wiring.

Look at that first.

Your problem may not be glow plugs.
 
Thanks guys

Glow plug warning light - The car is used for a lot of short distance town driving and sometimes the glow plug has randomly come on. Done just over 80,000 miles now
It flashes more than stays on, when that has happened I've given it a bit of harder driving and it stays off. Coincidental?

I'll check the fuse, module connections and earths first

I've looked for the guide to checking the plugs from the controller wiring, is it on here?


If l can remedy it without changing the GP's l won't be unhappy!

I do double warm before starting but it takes quite a few constant turns to get going, and a fair bit of smoke when it starts, other than that running is very good.
I'll stay off the accelerator pedal from now too

When l started to try to access them l took off the ERG, the thin washer between the flexible pipe and the ERG fell and is probably trapped within the undertray somewhere, so that's got to come off now and refit it

Thanks both for your advice
 
Those thin washers are a swine to find if they drop off, grrrrrr
Could be lodged on top of gearbox
 
The mating surfaces appear good and tight, l have seen it called a swirl gasket, it did have a curve with the flow on one side. That's probably more f its function that a sealing gasket


I'll have a hunt this afternoon, along with the electrical connections etc above
 
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-guides/151734-dealing-preheat-fault-message-stilo-jtd.html

Sounds like you are indeed looking to change at least 2 plugs..

Maybe read the GUIDE info..
Then attempt the middle 2..they are easiest

But..

I would persevere with the electrics 1st

Wriggle of the power supply wire on end of glowplug

Check the voltage being supplied at the warming phase.. compare the 2 ;)

I suspect they should be 12 volts..
If you get teliable power to these 2 the basics are probably fine :)

( my sons 1.3 got like yours to start.. changed all 4 plugs.. no better.. got buggerall voltage at cables :eek:

Checked relay.. luckily had my 1.3 to swap parts.. ;)

Turned out 1 plug had shorted as it blew.. taking out the special 50A fuse at battery terminal

Starts quite well now :) )
 
https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-guides/151734-dealing-preheat-fault-message-stilo-jtd.html

Sounds like you are indeed looking to change at least 2 plugs..

Maybe read the GUIDE info..
Then attempt the middle 2..they are easiest

But..

I would persevere with the electrics 1st

Wriggle of the power supply wire on end of glowplug

Check the voltage being supplied at the warming phase.. compare the 2 ;)

I suspect they should be 12 volts..
If you get teliable power to these 2 the basics are probably fine :)

( my sons 1.3 got like yours to start.. changed all 4 plugs.. no better.. got buggerall voltage at cables :eek:

Checked relay.. luckily had my 1.3 to swap parts.. ;)

Turned out 1 plug had shorted as it blew.. taking out the special 50A fuse at battery terminal

Starts quite well now :) )

I'm still not so sure,

My 1.9jtd 2003 115hp has only ever had one working glow plug and always starts ok even in winter.

Get battery properly checked ? How old battery?
 
Apologies for the late reply, life and covid got in the way, all good now

Starting got progressively worse, so changed the battery as it did seem to slow down on the first turnover of the day. After that it usually starts were nearly on the button - strange to me
New battery not any improvement, another Varta 65A silver four year warranty jobbie

Checked the resistance of all four glow plugs, two a full 1 Ohm, other two between 0.5 and 0.6, luckily the more accessible of the four, being 2 and 3. Changed those - nice job - why not stick them at the front of the engine????
Found a length of sleeved electrical cable looped around the plug elect supply from above proved very effective on removing them in the absence of foot long pliers

It starts better, but still takes two or more phases to start, with the accompanying smoke

Any suggestions on what else l can look for to diagnose the cause rather than do a Johnnie Cash and replace the car one piece at a time

Would be good to get it sorted

Thanks to all for your time and advice
 
Hi,
Do you tool to read fuel rail pressure while cranking?
That would be my next step.
If fuel rail pressure low or slow to build up that would cause symptoms your car has.
 
Thanks for your reply
How can l test the pressure and what tool will l need?

I searched online and it showed how to test the fuel rail pressure sensor on a 1.3 MJ Doblo, but couldn't find one for the 1.9 MJ

The glow plug warning symbol flashes after starting for around five seconds then goes off if it helps


Cheers
 
Thanks for your reply
How can l test the pressure and what tool will l need?

I searched online and it showed how to test the fuel rail pressure sensor on a 1.3 MJ Doblo, but couldn't find one for the 1.9 MJ

The glow plug warning symbol flashes after starting for around five seconds then goes off if it helps


Cheers

Plug into the OBD port.. ;)

To see the glow system fault.. and live rail pressures

https://www.fiatforum.com/multiecuscan-members-register/
 
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I bit the bullet and changed the remaining two glow plugs, as l had bought fur anyway

She starts much better now, so it looks like all the plugs needed changing.

I am a bit fingers crossed, wondering if it was underperforming plugs and a n other fault, so i'll get on with getting a Multiecuscan as you suggested.

Thanks for all replies and help
 
Update on the above

The car does start better than before the glow plugs were changed, but it still has a problem with the first start of the day

The engine cranking speed is noticeably slower first thing, worse in the cold and troublesome in the warmer mornings. It turns slow then nearly stops, continuing that sequence anti it finally starts, bit like a petrol engine when the ignition timing is off if that helps

It dos have a new battery, but the issue of slow cranking is about the same, so the old battery was serviceable

Once the first start is done, during the day it'll start great, the cranking speed is probably twice as fast and sounds "free" although l can't measure it. It runs good too, no issues there.

Any suggestions what the cause might be or what l can do to chck it. I have an Maxiscan 309 which isn't showing any fault codes

Thanks as usual for your time and assistance
 
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