glow plug tips missing ??

[h22_dan]

hi guys new to the forum but not new to bongos.
I've had mine a while now and it's an ongoing project , it's been fully resprayed and welded and now I'm onto the engine and interior but I've hit a snag.
had the cold start issues for a while so decided to take the plugs out , all came out very easy with little resistance but 3 of the plug tips were missing ?
they look as if they have sheared off ( perhaps when undoing or perhaps brittle over time ?)
prior to this I had driven the van and it was a bit sluggish and wouldn't go over 55mph and the revs were a bit rough over 2000 .
the question I have is , am I facing a head removal or should I try some new plugs and chance the engine ? has anyone had similar experience while removing glow plugs ?
the plugs are 102mm but the 3 broken ones measure around 93mm so around 10mm has broke off.
I do plan on overhauling the engine anyway in due course but ideally I'd like to hear it running again before I take it out and strip it down.
many thanks for any help

[Bob]

Hi, welcome to BF.

I'd see if you can look inside with an endescope type camera, and possibly get the bits out with a vacuum cleaner or something.

If the bits are in there and you run the engine I can only see damage coming.

[h22_dan]

thanks bob,
I have looked at the endoscope cameras that link up via wifi to your phone , there a cheap start to solving it , a friend did suggest using easy start with the plugs out in the hope it spits the tips out but its a risk.
i think the camera will be the best option to see if i have damaged the pistons , then i can get a rough idea on how much it will cost to fix
many thanks

[Bob]

If you need to suck the bits out it's worth finding a bung/cork which fits the end of your vacuum cleaner hose then make a hole through it to take a plastic tube, say 1/4" diameter, but small enough to enter the glow plug hole.

You may be able to catch said broken tips.

Wine making kit may help.

Good luck.

[Northern Bongolow]

If the tops are still there they will be mashed onto the piston top as there is no room for anything between the piston top and the top of the head.
When the heater plugs are removed you cannot get full access into the bore as there is a cup fitted into the head to protect the heater plug head, you can get in but it's not straight down onto the bore.
Get a magnet stick. You maybe lucky and the bits are sat in the cup more likely they have burnt away or been expelled.