Glow Plug Pullers 83 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nrgetik · #1 03-22-2009, 06:59 PM

I've got some stuck glow plugs that I've tried every method suggested on these boards to get out (short of using special tools), and I'm now at the point where I'm going to buy some pullers. I found these and was just wondering if they look like they're going to work to you guys or if anyone has any better recommendation(s) -

http://www.autobarn.net/xxxw-otc6005.html

Thanks, and I'll probably be posting a little more often now that I can continue work on the car again, hopefully I'll be able to post some vids of it running some day

fruitcakesa · #2 03-22-2009, 07:10 PM

Says its for Ford and GM diesels

kerry · #3 03-22-2009, 07:16 PM

Can you describe how they are stuck? Will they not turn at all, or is the pencil end stuck in the build up of carbon?

oldsinner111 · #4 03-22-2009, 07:34 PM

Make sure glow plug wire won't ground on engine block.Loosen glowplugs.Turn engine over to blow glowplug out.Ream the glow plug hole and install new ones.

nrgetik · #5 03-22-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

...or is the pencil end stuck in the build up of carbon?

Sounds like my scenario except the way it was explained to me was that the pencil end had expanded...someone had installed some cheap Autolite/Champions

And, I don't have a reamer.

Diesel911 · #6 03-22-2009, 11:23 PM

After 3 months 2 of my Autolites started to swell too but the came out without too much difficulty.
But this shouds much worse. I think I would pull out and Injector on the one that seems stuck the hardest and look inside at the Tip of the Glow Plug to see if it is swollen or not.
After that I would spray some of the PB Blaster on the Glow Plug where the tip sticks into the Prechamber and let is soak in a day or so. I would be hoping that the PB Blaster will soften up some of the Carbon build up as well as help lube the tip when I try to pull it.
If the GPs have come out past the threads I would PB Blaster that end also.

Diesel911 · #7 03-22-2009, 11:29 PM

I looked at the tool too expensive; and if you remove the Fuel Injector Hard lines there shold be enough room for you to get a Vice Vrips on the end of the GPS and a long sturdy screwdriver to pry against the Vice Grips

Diesel911 · #8 03-22-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

I looked at the tool too expensive; and if you remove the Fuel Injector Hard lines there shold be enough room for you to get a Vice Vrips on the end of the GPS and a long sturdy screwdriver to pry against the Vice Grips

(That tool may be your only hope on a V8 Diesel due to no space to work in.)
Grip the plug like this and pry between the head and the Vice Grips.

nrgetik · #9 03-22-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

I looked at the tool too expensive; and if you remove the Fuel Injector Hard lines there shold be enough room for you to get a Vice Vrips on the end of the GPS and a long sturdy screwdriver to pry against the Vice Grips

I run the risk of snapping the glow plugs at this point yes?

Diesel911 · #10 03-23-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrgetik

I run the risk of snapping the glow plugs at this point yes?

Unlucky yes, but it is leave them in the Engine or try to get them out.

You can try to get them out while they are on the Engine or you can; take it to a shop and let them do the whole job, remove the Cylinder head and send it to a shop, or do it yourself with the head removed now that you have better access to it.
If it is backed out so that all of the threads on the Glow Plug are visable the only thing that is stuck is the tip of the glow plug. If you pry on it as I have suggested (after soaking it in PB Blaster) either it will come out or the tip will brake off/pull out of the Glow Plug.If the tip brakes off a drill slightly larger than the tip could be used to drill it out (put grease in the grooves to help trap the chips and the drill at a low speed). (The bit on a Glow Plug Reamer is 7mm so a 7mm drill should not contact the Head.)

Remove the Injectors so that you can remove the piece of tip that may wall into the Prechamber. The tip is too big to fall through the 5 holes that are in the tip of the Precombustion chamber.

An extreme measure is I have read of people forgetting to remove the Glow Plug when they remove the Prechamber from the Cylinder head. A tool and a slide Hammer are used. When the Prechamber cam out it cut off the tip of the Glow Plug. I do not recall if this damaged the Prechamber or the Cylinder Head.

The tip of the Glow Plug is a tube with resistance wire and and some sort of powder in it.

kerry · #11 03-23-2009, 10:25 AM

A few months ago there was a thread which discussed a solvent that dissolved carbon. I believe it was suggested that in a situation like yours it might be possible to remove the injector and put in enough solvent to dissolve the carbon and free up the plug if that what is holding it. If you can find that thread, it might be helpful.

Diesel911 · #12 03-23-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

A few months ago there was a thread which discussed a solvent that dissolved carbon. I believe it was suggested that in a situation like yours it might be possible to remove the injector and put in enough solvent to dissolve the carbon and free up the plug if that what is holding it. If you can find that thread, it might be helpful.

Since the 617 type Engines seldom have a problem with Glow Plug siezed into the head I believe as the other member said the tips could have swollen due to the brand of Glow Plugs. Because of this is suggested that a Injector pulled so the tip of the plug could be looked at an the nature of the problem understood.
That being said this is from one of the threads on stuff to dissolve carbon; there is also other threads but this is the text I saved:
Spray that Eats Up Carbon
Rather than use PB, you might want to try using GM Rust Penetrant and Inhibitor, Heat Valve Lubricant. An old GM diesel mechanic turned me on to it, and it actually softens carbon deposits. It also eats paint, so be careful using it! Just spray it on and let it soak, just like any other penetrant. You can only buy it at a GM dealer- part # 1052627 for a 10.8 oz. can. It costs around $9.00 for a can- expensive, but it works. It also works for lubricating the wastegate shaft on a turbo.

JohnS · #13 03-23-2009, 01:00 PM

Hi,
I had this problem a couple of months ago. All four plugs were stuck, I could completely disengage the threads, but they would not come out. I think the cause was they were either coming back on or were remaining on longer than intended. However, after hooking up a test light so I could watch, it never happened again. I was able to get them out by prying; get yourself an assortment of large screwdrivers or prybars, a small vise grip pliers and a few small blocks of hardwood. Unscrew the plug until the threads are free, clamp the vise grips on the nut flats and slowly pry against the vise grips. Use the wood to pry against. The suggestions above to use various penetrating oils will help.

When you get them out you will see that the end of the plug is ballooned out. What you will be doing is crushing the balloned section back to original shape as you pull them out.

nrgetik · #14 03-23-2009, 02:03 PM

Excellent, thanks a lot guys I'm going to weigh my options and give it a whirl pretty soon here. I really want to get these suckers out.