Sheared Glowplug

[BongoBish]

Hi all.
After reading the various entries about changing GPs, I decided that mine could do with a new set (since the cold weather, lumpy, difficult starting cloud of smoke on startup etc). They are a little awkward to get at but managed ok with the two rear and front one. Second one in was even stiffer than the others, couple of sprays of dismantling fluid and a 1/2 hour wait went to try again and.......s*d it! the threaded body of the glowplug sheared. so now the main body and the first few threads just revolves around, I can't get a decent grip on the body to pull the heater out through the threaded bit. Any ideas?
(please don't say remove the head, please don't say remove the head.....)

[Vanmanerik]

Just a thought, I have never done this.
You may be able to drill down the center of the glow plug left in the hole and then insert a remover, which is like a left hand tapered tap, to screw it out fully.
Perhaps someone can verify this as I am not sure if by drilling down the center of the glow plug it will cause anything to fall into the cylinder.
Hope this helps

[white van man]

if you try to drill you will find the glow plug is harder than the drill bit,if you snap the drill bit you will have to remove the head and if unlucky even a specialist wont be able to do the job,seek a specialist now who can remove and fit insert but if all else fails head may have to be removed to do this,were you using a spanner rather than a socket to do this?it seems more common for people to snap using a spanner as you dont get an even pull if tight,where on the south coast so people might be able to recomend a person in your area capable of doing the job!!!!

[ChrisEm]

whereabouts are you? I may be able to help!

[BongoBish]

Hi again,
I was using a socket, in fact I was using a small, 1/4" drive socket with a 4" long ratchet, so it wasn't huge amounts of torque that did it.
There was some strange, carbon like residue around the GP that sheared before I started that wasn't around the others (although they all felt like they had been fitted by Godzilla!).
I have whipped the centre out and I am trying with a 'easyout' in the morning. Although if I am only using a hand tap with it I think I am going to be out of luck. (anything bigger tends to shear the 'Easyout' then its even more work!)
I think I have now accepted my fate of head removal (b*gger) all that work for one GP!
By the way, I am one of the Bongoes that lives in Portsmouth (Cosham) but I am regularly spotted in W Sussex and up the A3.
PS what is the Torque setting supposed to be for the GPs? anyone?

[ChrisEm]

Always worth copper slipping the threads on glowplugs before fitting! Have you had any luck extracting it yet?

[etihsbog]

Hi. According to the manual they are supposed to be 15-19Nm. Would get somebody else to verify though before ripping the head off the new one. Good luck with it!

[antique]

hi i no its too late now but in future start van up let it get hot and then try removing gp where on south coast are you ?