Replacing glow plugs

[Richard P]

I need to get my glow plugs replaced, but don't live near any of the Bongo friendly garages in the list on the webite. Is it a job that a reasonable ordinary garage could cope with OK (perhaps with a print off of the guide on the website)? Does anyone have any recommendations - I live in Kenilworth, near Coventry?

[Diplomat]

It's not at all difficult as long as nobody has previously damaged the threads or done up the current plugs so tight that they will shear off.

I did mine for the second time recently in under half an hour. I did not even have to move some of the obstructions listed in the file which I did the first time.

Having the right tools to hand is half the battle won, for instance box spanners or sockets deep enough to reach down to the hexagonal part of the plugs. Also use blue tack or a magnetic tool to prevent dropping the small nuts down into the engine tray.


Frank

[Northern Bongolow]

easy job but also very easy to mess up.
there are several lengths of plugs.and the risk of breaking them is real. it all depends on you.

im sure there was a bongo specialist around coventry wasnt there.

[M 80NGO]

You'd be suprised just how easy they are to do, as pointed out above it's fairly basic tools and a nice methodical approach

[Diplomat]

easy job but also very easy to mess up.
.

I would be interested to know what received wisdom is on the advisability of using copper grease on the threads. In a recent pub coversation a friend warned that grease could explode under head pressure and damage the threads.

Frank

[al & chris]

Yes I must be clumbsey, managed to sheer two of them when I did them a few years ago. Someone since told me best to tighten a bit then loosen them, don't know if that's right. Warm or cold engine? Mine was cold weather similar to now. If they come out ok then it is easy enough to do.

[Northern Bongolow]

i dont think your clumsy, just unlucky.
there is a specific torque setting to tighten them,BUT they still feel squeeky tight when you come to do them again, ive done loads and it is still a nerve racking ordeal.
if you leave them very slightly loose they will leak combustion gasses and sometimes oily gunge/fuel.
as to franks to lube or not to lube , i just use a light oil. i used to advocate removing them only when cold but i did mine again the other week and could not loosen them, in the end i ran the engine for 2 mins then they did come with a lot of praying.

[al & chris]

It was the first time they had been changed over here. I did use copper grease on replacing and recently on changing again they came out no probs.