Rorie

Active Member
anybody know the size of tap required to remove a snapped glow plug? Want to make sure I get the right kit!

141021D6-C41C-43F8-8541-E662AEC369B2.jpeg
 
Looks like the top of the plug has sheared from the lower part together with the central electrode.
Lower part is still in the head.
The laser tools removal kit supplies a 1/4" tap to cut a thread in the inside of the lower part before screwing the extractor in - also comes with all the bits if it's just the hex head that's sheared. Can't comment on suitability for LR but it certainly works on MB Sprinters.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6sfgIhfT4
Doesn't need the head off!
 
Put a cloth/bullet proof best over the hole and start the engine and it’ll blow it out the top.

Seriously tho are you sure it hasn’t dropped into the engine?
 
If you look at a 300TDi glowplug you will see that the end of the plug that sticks into the cylinder is narrower than the rest of the body.
Looking at the OP's remains that won't have happened.

Bullet proof vest & start it up might just work! Slackening off the retaining bolt & starting up works very well for removing 'black death' Sprinter injectors.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Yes, the glow plug sheared off below the threaded section. I saw kits online but i wasnt sure what size tap i'd need to tap the remaining section and use a puller to remove.

I did read of the bullet proof vest option.... @Ratae , what did you mean be 'slacken off the retaining bolt'? With the bit in my hand in the photo being out, i guess i'm ready to do?

I have heard that this can be bad as the engine may suck it in?
 
The 'slacken off the retaining bolt' is relevant to injectors that use a clamp to retain the injector. If you took the retaining bolt out completely then it could well fire the injector out as the compression on diesels is considerably higher than petrols.

Look at a pic of a new glowplug & you'll see how much is left in the hole & why it can't be sucked into the engine.
Look at the video in the link I posted & you'll see the procedure. As the head of yours has come away from the body you're at the 'tapping the thread into the remains' stage at 1:50 into the video.
TBH with the concerns you raise I'd suggest in your case that you put the threaded end back in & get the whole thing professionally removed. Would save you the worry.
 
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The 'slacken off the retaining bolt' is relevant to injectors that use a clamp to retain the injector. If you took the retaining bolt out completely then it could well fire the injector out as the compression on diesels is considerably higher than petrols.

Look at a pic of a new glowplug & you'll see how much is left in the hole & why it can't be sucked into the engine.
Look at the video in the link I posted & you'll see the procedure. As the head of yours has come away from the body you're at the 'tapping the thread into the remains' stage at 1:50 into the video.
TBH with the concerns you raise I'd suggest in your case that you put the threaded end back in & get the whole thing professionally removed. Would save you the worry.
Ah ok, i see the injector reference now that i read it properly!

I ordered up the injector removal kit. As you say, there is a lot of the injector body still in thre, so i'm hopefully in a lucky place where its not too far down the hole.
I dont see the need to put it to a shop yet, i'm going to try the removal kit first to see if that works, if not, then i think i'd rather a shop looked at it than trying to launch it out with compression!
 

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