[Clarky130]

How long do they last on average? Reason I ask, is that my 2.5 DSE runs like a bag of nails for the first few seconds after cold starting, accompanied by some (not much) unburnt diesel smoke (white) out the exhaust. After 5 secs or so all is fine. Service records say glow plugs were changed 35K ago.

 

[wammers]

I would say you almost certainly have a couple of failed plugs.

 

[Clarky130]

That's what I suspected, Wammers - just thought they'd last longer than 35k!

Any idea how to test them, or do you reckon just replace the lot?

 

[wammers]

That's what I suspected, Wammers - just thought they'd last longer than 35k!

Any idea how to test them, or do you reckon just replace the lot?

I would change the lot. Get some good ones not the cheapies. Don't know if you have a hot start fitted, but they last less time if you have, being used for every start.

 

[Datatek]

Cheapo's last no time at all, good ones up to 100K depending on the number of starts where they are needed.

 

[Davie F]

Mine was getting a little lumpy on cold mornings a couple of months back so I changed all of them and back to instant starting and smoothness. I took out NGK and put in Delphi, the ones I took out all worked but obviously had degraded a bit over time. As said don't use cheapies, this is a case of buy cheap and you will regret it as you will just have to do it all again.
Davie

 

[Clarky130]

Good advice, cheers. No hot start fitted on mine - starts ok hot anyways, after a second or two of full-speed cranking.

 

[jamesblake]

Delphi are good plugs then??
I got myself a set being fitted on Thursday also got the inlet manifold gaskets as recommend on here. fingers crossed!! 4/5 time to turn over can't be doing other bits any good!!

 

[Datatek]

Delphi are good plugs then??
I got myself a set being fitted on Thursday also got the inlet manifold gaskets as recommend on here. fingers crossed!! 4/5 time to turn over can't be doing other bits any good!!

As long as they are not Chinese fakes branded as Delphi

 

[Davie F]

I am happy with the Delphi plugs but any good make is fine, think I got mine from Island 4 x 4 for about £40, test them before fitting, never know when one could have been dropped in transport, you never know one may be duff, thats what I do anyway. I treat glow plugs like spark plugs, change every 2 years regardless, better than going out on a wet freezing windy morning and the bugger playing up.
Davie

 

[roddy4]

Cheapo's last no time at all, good ones up to 100K depending on the number of starts where they are needed.

didn't know they could last so long

 

[Clarky130]

How difficult are they to do? RAVE is telling me I need to remove the injector pipery! Don't fancy that - and the inlet manifold!

Is this necessary, or is there another way?

 

[discomark10]

cant be to bad, seen plenty of guys removing the plugs when they flood the engine in water at 4x4 play sites

 

[jerrytlr]

How difficult are they to do? RAVE is telling me I need to remove the injector pipery! Don't fancy that - and the inlet manifold!

Is this necessary, or is there another way?

You need to remove the inlet manifold, so remember to get 6 new inlet manifold gaskets, but I removed all 6 glowplugs without removing the injector pipework. I would reckon on a couple of hours start to finish assuming you can also do the work without removing injector pipes. This could be one of those EGR/Non-EGR things I suppose, mine is an early non-EGR model.

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[Chrisfrain2007]

Thinking of doing mine soon, does anybody have the part number for the gaskets?

 

[wammers]

You need to remove the inlet manifold, so remember to get 6 new inlet manifold gaskets, but I removed all 6 glowplugs without removing the injector pipework. I would reckon on a couple of hours start to finish assuming you can also do the work without removing injector pipes. This could be one of those EGR/Non-EGR things I suppose, mine is an early non-EGR model.

Cheers,

Jerry

No need to remove injector pipes just manifold.

 

[Datatek]

didn't know they could last so long

Never been changed on mine and it has 106K on the clock. Starts instantly hot or cold

 

[Speedex750]

It is (just) possible to change number 3 behind the injection pump and 5 & 6 at the back without removing anything at all. Getting the cable back on and tightening the terminal nut is very tricky but just possible if you don't want to strip down further. And three good ones will get you started until you can tackle the rest. All 6 can be done easily (ex-Mini owners know about inaccessible parts!) once you've got the inlet manifold off, you don't have to take the pipe rack off.

Did mine last weekend. You need a deep 12mm or 1/2" AF socket for the plugs and a 8mm for the terminal. Jam the new plug / terminal nut in the socket with a bit of cardboard when you're refitting.