Hiya, Had the dreaded 'glow-plugs' warning light and the graphic on the dash saying 'Glow-plugs need checking', showing for a few months. Car has always started fine, so after a conversation with my Ex Fiat, Fiat Expert, we decided to leave well alone. These apparently either come out ok, or more likely are seized in place and will/could snap off, causing major problems. Not wishing to put my great mechanic in this position, I decided to cast a wider net. A (nameless) Fiat Dealer was very reluctantly prepared to have a look, but so sure as they wouldn't turn with a very very light touch would go no further, as they were not prepared to face the consequences. I then contacted by phone a (nameless) Fiat Main dealer, explained what I needed doing, was passed around their departments, asked to wait while they looked into the request.....I waited for about 10 mins, until the phone went dead............not impressed, I then followed this up with a email to their service department, I received a confirmation they had got my email, and would be in contact within 24 hours. Three months later I'm still waiting for the promised response.........So to me I read the people who know, do not want to get involved with replacing these Glow-plugs.
Back to my Expert, talked about it, and the problems with these being stuck with carbon around them, and agreed a plan of action.
I stuck a load of the good old 'Red X', in the fuel tank, about 6 times more than recommended, mixing both petrol and diesel 'Red X', ran the car through a tankful then refilled and recharged. Theory being it will either remove or loosen the carbon.....
Car went in yesterday, was moved to a corner of the yard and left to 'tick over' for half a day, when the bonnet was opened the heat blasted out. Air box was removed, at danger of burning fingers..........and all 4 Glow-plugs came out easy-peasy......much to everyone's surprise and delight.
4 new Glow-plugs screwed in, airbox refitted, job done.......£90, inc VAT. So thats the starting sorted for the winter when it gets here.........Happy Fella. Cheers Qube O.

Yep..

Got my horribly corroded plugs out with just engine heat.

2ok.. but needed back and forth 'thread cutting' action.

2 others needed the engine re.heated but then freed off ok.

So H O T is the secret.

Will have to do my older punto before winter..

Charlie

Hi All
my glow plugs had done around 90k and came out really easy
The trick is to get the engine hot fill around the glow plug hole with WD40,crack the seal and leave for a few hours
Three came out without any issues but one although was out would not pull out like the others as the glow plug had carbon build up and it was just a matter of pulling and turning to scrap the carbon off
I have been told that factory fitted plugs will come out without any problems the issue with plugs that wont shift or strip the threads are due to poor installation of plugs in the past where the fitter has done them to tight and not used a torque wrench
These only need nipping up really like spark plugs

HI, any chance you can show us some pictures where the glow plugs situated, mine is at 86000miles, will need all infos as to how to DIY, many thanks.

Hi
This a picture I found on google and I have marked the glow plugs
You can only see them with the air box removed
LUIGI

Zron said:

HI, any chance you can show us some pictures where the glow plugs situated, mine is at 86000miles, will need all infos as to how to DIY, many thanks.

Click to expand...

Much less then spark plugs often as low as 8nm torque for glow plugs

Hi all,

Is it more or less the same method of replacing spark plugs in a petrol car? As some members here had the problems of stuck plugs by carbon, any chance give us a guide how to diy, many thanks.

Hi
First off it's going to be easier if they have never been replaced before as they would have been NOT over tightened
Warm the Engine first to operating temperature
Remove airbox
spray glow plugs with WD40 and leave for a while
Using a deep socket crack the seal on the plugs
Spray more WD40 on the plugs and leave for a while
Remove each plug gently and if the plug starts to get tight back off and give it a bit more WD40 and try again keep doing this if it keeps getting tight
NEVER force out a really tight plug!!!!!!!!
If for some reason the plug IS out but wont pull out its because there is a lot of carbon build up on the electrode all you have to do is whilst pulling on the plug alternate left and right basically scraping the carbon off as it pulls out
Screw in new plugs to 8NM or just nip them up That's all !!!
refit plug wires and airbox and test operation and leaks
LUIGI

When I replaced the glow plugs on a Vauxhall Combo with the 1.3 Fiat engine I used a product called “freeze and release”. I gave the plugs a good spray every day for a week and the just again before removing. They came out easily but I used very gentle pressure on the ratchet to minimise the chance of them snapping.

Yes your right i think a lot of mechanics are heavy handed, and when the plug starts to get tight they keep going and that's when your looking a head off job because of striped threads or snapped plugs.
I could not get any independent garage to change mine all i got was the striped thread head off story....so i did it my self!
LUIGI