Technical Worth replacing glow plugs ?

[BootyBandit]

Do glowplugs get replaced during a normal service ?

Decided on doing an oil/filter/air filter change myself, my bug starts up fine even in cold weather but I suspect the glow plugs are the same since day one 112000 miles ago, are they worth replacing - Will I see any benefit in performance or are there purely for start up only ?

 

[FIREsporting]

In cold weather diesel engines can be difficult to start, the cold cylinder block and cylinder head draw out the heat in the cylinder during the compression stroke, this prevents ignition. This is where a glow plug comes into play mate

Testing glow plugs is easy just disconnect the wire going to each glow plug connect a test light to the POSITIVE (+) battery terminal and touch the point of the test light to each glow plug terminal If the light lights it's good if it doesnt it's bad and needs to be replaced. My opinion is that if one went bad then the rest are not too far behind so I recommend replacing all of them at the same time.

 

[Zundapp]

If your Multi starts ok in cold weather, then don't worry about the glow plugs.

Only replace if you have starting difficulties.

 

[Davren]

Do glowplugs get replaced during a normal service ?

No.

Dave.

 

[the frog]

I've read that the inlet manifold needs to come off to remove them so it's a fairly long job.

There is usually a light which flashes on the dash when the plugs are on their way out - I know because mine has come on now. Just another job to add to the list!

 

[JTDman]

I changed the first 2 without removing much at all

 

[FIREsporting]

JTDman Nice work :slayer:

 

[kangocartman]

I replaced all four took me 3 hours as they were almost welded onto the block, didn't remove the manifold just the bracket that holds the fuel pipes on the rear left of the manifold and pushed them out of the way, not the easiest of jobs.
I then found it had only one faulty plug.:bang:
At least the jobs done

 

[JTDman]

I replaced all four took me 3 hours as they were almost welded onto the block, didn't remove the manifold just the bracket that holds the fuel pipes on the rear left of the manifold and pushed them out of the way, not the easiest of jobs.
I then found it had only one faulty plug.:bang:
At least the jobs done

Did it the same way but tested mine first

 

[bubblegum19]

I have just had my glow plugs replaced on my 2000 bug, with 138,000 miles on the clock. The light would go out as usual after starting and immediately come back on and flash for about a minute which lasted a week before I eventually decided enough was enough. My garage had a nightmare to get them out, 2 were knackered but got all four replaced just incase to save on more labour charges!

My problem now is that I have no power in the car, its feel like it is being held back especially when I put it into 3rd gear and the engine gets quite noisy during the gear change. I think the exhaust looks abit smokier than usual if that makes any sense. A couple of times this week I have also had trouble starting the car but no glow plug lights coming on so guess it isn't that. I do have an intermittant key code problem but it usually starts eventually, I really am not paying 180 quid for a new key!!!!! Only other thing is when it is really cold the fanbelt squeals a wee bit.

Can anyone advise if it sounds like this loss of power is to do with the glow plugs being changed? I can normally zoom along up hills absolutely no problem but there is no oumph and it is struggliing going up in a normally easy third gear! Its not much better than my man's 8 valve Punto which struggles up hills in 2nd, 1st at best.

I am imagining all sorts could be wrong, fuel filter needing replaced maybe? It feels like its being held back and really wants let loose...hope that makes sense! Help!!!

 

[Pandabloke]

Have a look at the posts on EGR valves that are on here and see if you think that is what may have happened to yours.

 

[bubblegum19]

Have a look at the posts on EGR valves that are on here and see if you think that is what may have happened to yours.

Hi pandabloke, Yeah I had a read through the stuff about erg valves last night and it does make me think its that. It sounds easy to do............I'm grudged to go back to my garage, I'm pretty skint at the mo. Can I just do it from the top of the engine, I don't have to go underneath to get to any of it? Will I get the cleaner stuff from Halfords or similar? I'd get my husband to try it but he is as useful as a chocolate teapot when it comes to fixing cars.

Any tips on the door seals staying on...thats driving me crackers as well, they are getting knackered cos they keep coming off.

My bug has had quite a bit done to it over the past few months, have had to resort to the garage going to the scrappy to get me another wiper motor, new radiator, it seems once something gets fixed another thing decides to go a month later. I don't think my bug was looked after very well by numerous previous owners!!

WIll maybe take a look under the bonnet tomorrow and see if I think I could do it or not... I hope so......cleaning it is better than a new part!

 

[Pandabloke]

Hi Bub. Panda will do, incidentally!

I've not cleaned one myself although I had one cleaned by the dealer and it lasted about 8 miles...... £56 to prove that cleaning doesn't work! Not sure what the opinion is amongst others but I would go for a new one if I intended to keep the car.

Fiat main dealer Feb. 2007 supply and fit EGR valve £170.18 (EGR valve and seal to purchase £94.83 if you just bought the part.)

Now you could buy one from your local motor factor or look on ebay etc and have a go yourself. (I used mine for chauffeuring so always had work done by garage.)

Alternatively, you could use a little independent garage with cheaper labour rates and a non genuine part and probably nearly halve the costs. Use someone you trust, I've got a smashing little garage not far from me who have saved my bank account loads of times.

My uglybug cost me nearly £4000 pound in servicing and repairs in the three I owned it, above and beyond the £6995 purchase price! So I know what you mean about one thing after another keep breaking. All I can say is persevere and keep dipping into the purse because once they are sorted they are wonderful.

I loved it so much I've just been out and sold my soul for a 2008 registered facelift ('nosejob' as the facelifts have been christened on another forum...) and I'm pleased as punch!

Good luck and moral support is all I can offer!

 

[bubblegum19]

Hi Panda,
I now use a wee garage instead of going to Fiat as they wanted way over a grand and a half to fix it all at its last service, not including welding to get it past its MOT, so I went elsewhere. I just can't afford dealers labour charges which are now about 70 quid an hour. I'll go and see my garage on Monday and see what they say, they have been pretty good so far, using genuine parts and non-genuine ones depending on what has to be replaced. Its a 2000 reg Multipla which has done alot of miles but I can't afford to replace it and buy a newer one....

Not happy about using it on long journeys til I get it fixed especially with a pile of kids in the back! Suppose I'll have to bite the bullet and get it fixed,...sob! Hope they don't find anything else wrong, its only just had the plugs done.

 

[Pandabloke]

Hi again Bub

Definitely get the work done to get it running right this time. If they find anything else wrong then make a note of it and if it ain't desperate, get it done when you can, that's what I used to do.

If the kids are slowing the car up, can't you shut them in a cupboard or something? Do you have to take them around with you?

Alternatively, can't you sell one of them to pay for the EGR valve?

I'm not very good with children.......... Lol.

 

[Zundapp]

Hi Bubblegum,
On my last Multi the door seals kept coming off, especially when the weather was warm, so I stuck them on with 'Hard as Nails' from a poundshop. Worked perfectly.

My newer Multi doesn't suffer from falling off door seals, so that must be one of the very few things FIAT actually improved!

 

[bubblegum19]

Hi again Bub

Definitely get the work done to get it running right this time. If they find anything else wrong then make a note of it and if it ain't desperate, get it done when you can, that's what I used to do.

If the kids are slowing the car up, can't you shut them in a cupboard or something? Do you have to take them around with you?

Alternatively, can't you sell one of them to pay for the EGR valve?

I'm not very good with children.......... Lol.

Hi Panda,
Finally actually looked under the bonnet today and think its not the egr valve , I think it stems back to when I got my glow plugs replaced and the mechanic has dislodged a hose! The large hose coming out of the engine is only just covering the bit of pipe sticking out and has obviously had a clip securing it on which isn't there anymore!
Taking it over to the garage this afternoon to get them to double check it all. Grrr, hopefully it will be back with some oomph after that.

I've only got a Multi cos of the kids....have thought about locking them away in a cupboard frequently for some peace and quiet!! I love it for being higher up so you can see ahead and so easy to park with the decent mirrors, shame they have so many flippin faults.

 

[Pandabloke]

Ooh dear, Bub. Well good luck with it. Keep us informed. Kick ass, so to speak!

Don't fret, I've got an '08 registered 'nosejob' Multipla. Bought her 10 days ago for ten grand and she's been back for warranty work twice since! She's the one in the picture below.

She is gorgeous, I'm sure you'll agree but I guarantee she'll still be a pain in the bum!

She's called Myrtle, and she loves me.......

 

[alfypalfy]

Our warning light has been on for weeks - since before Christmas, I think. The indy garage quoted over £240 to do all 4 (did not think testing and replacing a single was worth it).

Decided to hang fire and see if it dies. Survived minus 8 degrees celsius and still starts OK.

As and when it deteriorates we'll get it sorted - just spent £265 getting rear brakes done for MOT (new shoes plus h/brake cables).

Seriously thinking of trading her...

 

[jmcd]

I don't believe it is necessary to change plugs that are not gone. Just because one is gone doesn't mean that the others are going to go soon. They might but i think you'd need to look at the statistics!

John