TD4 - Snapped glowplug advice

While doing the MAF sensor I noticed one of the glowplug leads was just hanging there, on further inspection it looks as if the glowplug has snapped off at the base!

I can not see enough sticking out of the hole to remove it.....

Any advice/suggestions?

A google search showed that it's not uncommon, can I get away with ignoring it if the other 3 are working well?

not if the central conductor has fallen inside the combustion chamber. Suggest yu remove and replace.

The Mad Hat Man said:

not if the central conductor has fallen inside the combustion chamber. Suggest yu remove and replace.

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Engine is running ok, so I presume it hasn't dropped in???

I didn't disturb it, so presume it may have been like it for a while....

How can I remove it?

Mine is just the same - number 1 snapped off flush with block. Garage mate of mine tried welding to it but no luck welds snap off so we have left it. Freebie starts ok and it doesn't seem to have an effect - is there something I should know?

angeloc said:

Mine is just the same - number 1 snapped off flush with block. Garage mate of mine tried welding to it but no luck welds snap off so we have left it. Freebie starts ok and it doesn't seem to have an effect - is there something I should know?

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Its still starting ok in the cold, but its quite smoky........

Whack a flat blade screw driver in there and hope for the best, if that fails its a head off job

drill and tap the centre of it using a left hnd thread tap,screw in a left hand set screw bolt and it may unscrew on its original thread. Prob best to spray it with wd a few times and best if engine hot when you go for the unscrew. alternatively a similar approach would be a stud extractor.

After my neighbours experience with a Merc and a snapped glow plug, if its starting fine, leave it alone, he ended up needing a replacement head.

another way is to get a stud extractor and drill a hole to suit the stud extractor has a left handed thred so as you turn it anti clockwise the theng should come out hope this helps

Mantamad said:

After my neighbours experience with a Merc and a snapped glow plug, if its starting fine, leave it alone, he ended up needing a replacement head.

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Very good advice.

Problem with mine is it is the first one from left - no way can you get a drill to drill it - it's starts ok I will leave alone.

I saw recently a Td4 with 4 snapped glowplugs, which were successfully removed in situ by an automotive Engineering company.

Vissie said:

I saw recently a Td4 with 4 snapped glowplugs, which were successfully removed in situ by an automotive Engineering company.

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Hi Vissie - tell us more - how did they do it, who are they, how much did it cost?

Cheers

This happened to me today, what did the enginnring company do? At least I wont have to rush to get it removed.