Recommendations for glow plug removal kit

[Joeecodiesel]

Hello,
I’m looking for any recommendations on a glow plug remover/extractor that any of you may have had experience with. I’m looking for something More high end , geared more toward the eco diesel if that exists (or is even necessary). I’m working on plug #4. It looks like the kits on amazon that are similarly priced are basically the same thing and the reviews are mixed at best. Anyone had the same headache I’m currently having?

 

[Tremper126]

I took mine to a diesel shop and let the guy deal with it. 500$ later he removed plug, drilled, tapped, and installed new one I had brought.

 

[Joeecodiesel]

I took mine to a diesel shop and let the guy deal with it. 500$ later he removed plug, drilled, tapped, and installed new one I had brought.

Unfortunately I called about every shop in my area (Spokane, WA) and they all said they will not/can not remove one. I found that odd since It seems like this is a common occurrence for diesels in general. Dealer wanted 4,000$ to replace the head so I would rather at least attempt it myself first. There has to be tool for the job out there somewhere....

 

[Tremper126]

All you need is an 8mm deep well socket and an extension. The worst part is if and when it breaks off. Find a guy that works on heavy equipment diesels. These dealers and a few of my local shops call themselves diesel mechanics but few of them will actually do what it takes to fix something, not replace half of it cause it’s easier. They quoted me 8k for a head so your better than me lol. Did it actually break off? I believe that’s the one I had to replace on mine

 

[Joeecodiesel]

All you need is an 8mm deep well socket and an extension. The worst part is if and when it breaks off. Find a guy that works on heavy equipment diesels. These dealers and a few of my local shops call themselves diesel mechanics but few of them will actually do what it takes to fix something, not replace half of it cause it’s easier. They quoted me 8k for a head so your better than me lol. Did it actually break off? I believe that’s the one I had to replace on mine

Yeah it’s actually broken. Broke off right above the thread. The electrode won’t pull out. I figured if I could pull it out I could get the sleeve out with an easy out. The plug (sleeve) is almost out but not quite there. I have replaced 3 myself thus without any issues, and this one (#4) was going like all the others until it got soft and snapped. I have a 1/4” torque wrench with and 8mm socket and had it set to very low torque. Working it back and forth and it was just to stuck in there in the end. I might just have to try the one off amazon and see how it goes.

 

[67_Valiant]

I broke #2 on mine. I tried the Amazon kit and just could not get the angle right due to the drill interfering with the cowl, so the drill went in off-centerline (which pretty my sealed my fate). I ended up replacing the cylinder head myself which is a BIG job, but can be done if you have the time/patience. Cost me about $1k in parts and special tools, but working great now with no codes...

 

[Joeecodiesel]

I broke #2 on mine. I tried the Amazon kit and just could not get the angle right due to the drill interfering with the cowl, so the drill went in off-centerline (which pretty my sealed my fate). I ended up replacing the cylinder head myself which is a BIG job, but can be done if you have the time/patience. Cost me about $1k in parts and special tools, but working great now with no codes...

Wow good job taking that project on. I hope to not have to get to that point myself, but it’s good to know it’s possible with the right skills.

The main Question I have for you would be, how did the electrode puller work for you? I feel like where it’s at if I can just get that part Out I would be able to get an easy out type extractor inside the sleeve and unthread it.

I also have a little more room on plug 4 so may be able to get a better drilling angle if I need to go that route.

Thanks for the info and insight I greatly appreciate it, as there’s not alot of info out there from people with similar experiences.

 

[67_Valiant]

I actually think it would work better for your situation since you're not contending with the cowl. If had I gotten the hole drilled straight it could have worked for me. Because it was not, the extractor was partially threading into the side of the head, and would just pull out with a bunch of aluminum stuck on the threads (but no glow plug).

Once I had the head pulled, I tried to drive the glow plug out from the combustion chamber side just to see how close i was, and it would not budge. It finally broke off after a few more solid hits.

Hopefully, it will work better for you. If you end up deciding to replace the head, I can give you some tips and tricks to get it done with a minimally invasive approach as well as the supplier with the best pricing. AllDataDIY recommends removing the transmission, but I was able to it without.

 

[Joeecodiesel]

I actually think it would work better for your situation since you're not contending with the cowl. If had I gotten the hole drilled straight it could have worked for me. Because it was not, the extractor was partially threading into the side of the head, and would just pull out with a bunch of aluminum stuck on the threads (but no glow plug).

Once I had the head pulled, I tried to drive the glow plug out from the combustion chamber side just to see how close i was, and it would not budge. It finally broke off after a few more solid hits.

Hopefully, it will work better for you. If you end up deciding to replace the head, I can give you some tips and tricks to get it done with a minimally invasive approach as well as the supplier with the best pricing. AllDataDIY recommends removing the transmission, but I was able to it without.

Awesome thanks for the quick response. What glow plug kit did you purchase? The ones that seem to look the same (Not sure if quality differs) are all around 60$ from what I can see.

Also, Did you end up pulling the electrode? Or did you drill through it?

I appreciate the offer to guide me through the head removal as well. I will keep you posted on how the extraction goes. I will also order the kit this afternoon.

 

[67_Valiant]

I used this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0787Q7P48/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Using the guide, you are supposed to drill a pilot into the electrode and create threads with the small, long tap. Then you clear out the old head of the plug with the larger drill and tap it. The mandrel threads in where the old head was, and the extractor goes through the mandrel and threads into the electrode. Finally, the hammer piece attaches to the other end of the extractor, and basically acts like a slide hammer.

It actually seems like a good design, but you have to get the electrode tap perfectly centered, or it will break out of the electrode and create the problem I ran into

 

[Alaskan]

Unfortunately I called about every shop in my area (Spokane, WA) and they all said they will not/can not remove one. I found that odd since It seems like this is a common occurrence for diesels in general. Dealer wanted 4,000$ to replace the head so I would rather at least attempt it myself first. There has to be tool for the job out there somewhere....

Hey, I'm also in the area and just ran into the same glow plug issue as you had. I also haven't been able to find a shop that wants to work on this. By any chance, have you found anyone in the Spokane cda area that has experience with ecodiesels?

 

[Tremper126]

Look at your local heavy equip mechanic shops (dozers, loaders, ect) as most of the time they have a mechanic that can make it happen. The equippment industry is used to working on engines in place and should be able to help. If the shop won’t do it, a mechanic on the side will

 

[Alaskan]

Unfortunately I called about every shop in my area (Spokane, WA) and they all said they will not/can not remove one. I found that odd since It seems like this is a common occurrence for diesels in general. Dealer wanted 4,000$ to replace the head so I would rather at least attempt it myself first. There has to be tool for the job out there somewhere....

Hey, I'm also in the area and just ran into the same glow plug issue as you had. I also haven't been able to find a shop that wants to work on this. By any chance, have you found anyone in the Spokane cda area that has experience with ecodiesels?

Look at your local heavy equip mechanic shops (dozers, loaders, ect) as most of the time they have a mechanic that can make it happen. The equippment industry is used to working on engines in place and should be able to help. If the shop won’t do it, a mechanic on the side will

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[208hardrock]

Hey, I'm also in the area and just ran into the same glow plug issue as you had. I also haven't been able to find a shop that wants to work on this. By any chance, have you found anyone in the Spokane cda area that has experience with ecodiesels?

Not sure if they work on ecodiesels, but they are one of the best places to have diesels worked on: Weavers Diesel CDA Idaho (208) 772-5292. Never had my ecodiesel worked on, had them work on my 3500 Ram diesel. Good luck!

 

[Alaskan]

Not sure if they work on ecodiesels, but they are one of the best places to have diesels worked on: Weavers Diesel CDA Idaho (208) 772-5292. Never had my ecodiesel worked on, had them work on my 3500 Ram diesel. Good luck!

Thanks, I talked with them before and they didn't want to work on it.

 

[die08trying]

I just ran into the same issue and used the CTA glow plug kits to get my broken glow plugs out. I was only able to get 3 of the 6 out without breaking them. I am now selling the kits if you want to give them a try yourself.

 

[Alaskan]

I just ran into the same issue and used the CTA glow plug kits to get my broken glow plugs out. I was only able to get 3 of the 6 out without breaking them. I am now selling the kits if you want to give them a try yourself.

Hey, I'd give it a shot. Do you have an online product link or can you provide anymore info? Thanks

 

[die08trying]

Sure. I have them both listed on FB marketplace & eBay. You only need the thread repair kit if you mess up the drilling which I did on one of the ones that broke. https://www.facebook.com/share/vwfSsvAFCgNv8n8F/?mibextid=79PoIi
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/25621367977510863/?mibextid=6ojiHh

 

[Alaskan]

Sure. I have them both listed on FB marketplace & eBay. You only need the thread repair kit if you mess up the drilling which I did on one of the ones that broke. https://www.facebook.com/share/vwfSsvAFCgNv8n8F/?mibextid=79PoIi
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/25621367977510863/?mibextid=6ojiHh

Looks exactly like what I need . I'd buy the kit from you. The 3 that broke on mine are still stuck, the heads just spin and I haven't been able to pull the center element in order to drill. You mentioned I'd only need the thread repair kit, is that able to work if the elements aren't pulled yet?

 

[die08trying]

Sorry for the confusion. I used the puller kit first to remove the 3 of them that I broke that were spinning just like yours. Two of them came out like a breeze w/ no damage to the existing threads. The last one was further back and under the cab which reduced my available workspace (see picture) and I didn’t realize my drilling angle was off until I had already drilled into the head which damaged the existing threads. Only then did I have to buy the thread repair kit to drill/tap/insert new threads.
I hope that clears it up!