A few things - Dodgy Passenger Seat and Changing Glow Plugs (JTD)

[Stu]

Hi all,

Need to start fixing some bits and bobs on the car.

First of all the passeneger seat is annoying me. It is sliding forward ok and reclining ok etc etc but sometimes it doesn't 'click' into place properly. Then when i am driving wth someone in the passenger seat it clicks when you accelerate and the person is 'pushed' into their seat. This keeps on happening whilst driving, its not lke once it has 'clicked', it stops until the next time the seat is moved.

Hopefully someone will know what im going on about! Is there an easy fix?

Secondly, i think the glow plugs need changing on the jtd (100). Is this easy enough to do without specialist tools? any guidance would be appreciated!

Many thanks

Stu

 

[Joske]

Not sure about your seat problem but i would remove the seat and turn it upside down and take a look. It'll probably be pretty obvious.

The glow plugs on the other hand are a right pig of a job, I changed all mine a few weeks ago. What makes you think they are going? Do you have a flashing glow plug light which lasts for approx 30secs? I would test each glow plug with a multimeter (getting the connectors off the tops of the glow plugs can be tricky), the buzzer setting is perfect to test them. No need to check resistance. Touch one end of the multimeter to the top of the glow plug, the other end to earth (any metal part on the engine). If it beeps its ok, if not its dead. If they are all working then its the glow plug relay. This is found near the fuel filter.

The JTD engine will start on 1 Glow plug all year round here in the UK so I wouldn't worry too much about it as its only to start the car anyway then after that the glow plugs aint used. So if you can live with it, do. If not then spray WD40 over each glow plug the night before and allow to soak. You'll need a very long reach 10mm socket T-Bar or similar, as the fuel rails going to the injectors cross the paths of all glow plugs making a deep 10mm socket impossible to get past. If a long reach 10mm socket with an extractor (rubber insert) like a spark plug socket was available then it would be a fairly straight forward. You'll need to remove a few bits on the engine too, to gain access, you'll see what i mean when you take a look. Don't expect this to be anywhere remotely as easy as changing a glow plug. Most Fiat Specialist are aware of the following problem mentioned below.

However you do risk striping the threads on the head as the plugs and head are aluminium. As they get hot and cold x number of times they can eventually stick together. I've seen this happen (not on my car thankgod) but it is a risk. If you strip the threads it'll be a head off job to repair as the space to work in is made for extremely thin and long fingers.

You dont need to replace all 4 glow plugs really so if a knackered glow plug is easy to get to then just replace that one.

However unless your a really competent DIY mechani, with all the tools and knowledge then i advise you take it to a garage (approx £60 labour + £12ea Glow Plug). Peace of mind.

:
Fiat Marea Chrome Front Grille. Fiat Bravo MK2 Front Grille.
ePER V4.0 2008 DVD, Bravo & Marea Workshop Manuals, Fiat Bravo Haynes Manual &, Fiat Bravo Owners Manual on CD etc...

 

[Stu]

Thanks Joske,

I was hoping it would be similar to changing a spark plug but i guess not. Nothing is ever simple on a JTD. Ever.

Thanks again.

PS - Know of any JTD's breaking anywhere?

STu

 

[Joske]

What parts do you need? I could keep an eye out for you.

:
Fiat Marea Chrome Front Grille. Fiat Bravo MK2 Front Grille.
ePER V4.0 2008 DVD, Bravo & Marea Workshop Manuals, Fiat Bravo Haynes Manual &, Fiat Bravo Owners Manual on CD etc...