Broken glow plug. How to fix it?

The removal of the glow plugs only occurs on the diesel engine, because that is where they are installed. They are used to create heat that is designed to ignite the system. So a broken glow plug is a really big problem. Luckily, you can fix this easily and cheaply. Buying a new item usually only costs a few zł. You don't know what the correct removal of broken glow plugs looks like? You don't have to be a pro to do it yourself, and tinkering with your own car is pure pleasure. Read our guide to fixing a broken glow plug filament!

Removing broken glow plugs. What is it about?

The easiest way to replace a glow plug is to call a specialist. Unscrewing is a very fast process. You will pay about 300-50 euros for a replacement, but you can try to do everything yourself. How to remove a broken glow plug? Start by collecting the necessary tools. They should be dedicated to this task only. First of all, you will need to have with you:

• tips screwed into candle cartridges;
• various types of drills;
• at least two different cranes;
• studs and nuts. 

Replacing a spark plug is simple but requires a lot of calmness and patience.

Broken spark plug. How to replace it?

How to get started? Here are the next steps:

• at the very beginning, select the guide according to the size of the candle, and then screw it into the cartridge;
• then insert the drill through the hole in the guide and carefully drill out a piece of the candle. Be careful! You cannot drill through a broken thread;
• then you will need to pull out the guide and clear the channel, and when you do, be sure to put it back in place. 

Then you can start refueling. Perform them according to the principle: “two forward, one back”, not forgetting to use lubricant in the process. Keep a depth of at least 1 cm. Insert a pin with a nut instead of a faucet. This way you can safely remove the spark plug. 

Can you drive with a broken glow plug?

It is theoretically possible to drive with a broken glow plug, but in practice it is risky. This element serves to heat the air in the engine compartment. A broken spark plug can lead to many problems:

• you will have trouble starting a cold car;
• such a ride can have a very negative effect on the condition of the engine and lead to its replacement much earlier. 

Then you will quickly notice that the vehicle is losing its power. A previously dynamic car has a basic acceleration problem, and overtaking other cars on the road is a miracle. A car with a faulty spark plug will also have particulate filtration problems.

Crooked glow plugs are the biggest problem in winter

A broken glow plug will be your biggest problem in winter. This is when heating the air in the engine bay is most needed to start the car. Keep in mind that some car models just sometimes have problems with it. Then pulling out the glow plugs can become a common practice. When choosing a car with a diesel engine, make sure that the specific model is tested in this regard. In this way, you will save time and money on replacing regularly failed glow plugs. Broken spark plugs are a common problem in Mercedes and Toyota engines. 

Unscrewing glow plugs. Sometimes the price is very high

For some car models, a broken glow plug can be a big problem. There are situations that in order to fix it, you have to do it from the side of the engine. This will require the dismantling of the equipment or even its removal. This, in turn, can be very risky and time-consuming. Removing the cylinder head can result in high costs, but is sometimes unavoidable. In a high-end car, you can count on a cost of up to 5-6 thousand. zloty. 

Removing the glow plugs is often the best and definitely cheaper option and worth using if possible for your car model. However, keep in mind that no matter which method you choose, the whole procedure requires accuracy and care. If you are not sure that you will put our advice into practice, it is better to visit a mechanic.

Image credit: Frank C. Muller from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.