[mtrevelino]

I am starting to get frustrated! I only have one glow plug to change. They have approximately 25k miles since the last time all six were replaced. I have the glow plug turning freely in the cylinder but I cannot pull it out. Could carbon be holding it in? I tightened in back into the cylinder and loosened it again to make sure it just was not spinning. Any assistance is appreciated!
2006 e320 cdi
Thank you,
Mike T.

 

[aeubank]

So can you remove it by hand?? When I changed my plugs I had to use a 10mm 1/4 inch socket because the 3/8 inch socket was a little too tall and the plug could not be easily removed.
If you can turn it by hand easily and it does not come out, it could be broken.. There is a youtube video on how to remove the broken plug but if this happens you might do better going to the stealer to remove it..

Good luck!!

 

[Noodles]

It could also have swollen up and those are tough. Easy to break if forced out.
The best penetrating oil to try is Kroil. Not easy to find, but some hardware stores carry it.
Let it soak at least 12 hours after applying. If it is still not wanting to come out it should
go to a shop for removal. If it breaks it is going to end up at a shop anyway and should
not be driven to avoid piston damage.

 

[mtrevelino]

Thanks everyone. I think I will take it to my indie. Instead of totally screwing it up, my indie may be able to use his magic and pull it out with no problems. I did read somewhere that sometimes they do swell up when they go bad. This person also said that Beru was the worst, for whatever that is worth!
Mike T.

 

[Noodles]

However the Beru is the correct voltage. Trying to find a Bosch at the correct voltage in the US seems almost impossible.

 

[mtrevelino]

I dropped my car off to my indie Sunday night. At approximately 4pm on Monday, the shop called me and told me the car was ready. When I picked it up I spoke to the mechanic that worked on it. He said that it took him a couple of hours to get the plug out. It did come out in one piece. He said that it looked like an original glow plug in which I told him that I saw my Northern VA indie change them out 20k miles ago. Anyway, $135 later and all is fixed.
Also, it was a good thing that I provided the Beru glow plug. I told the mechanic that the 05/06 cdi's use the 5v glow plug, he was not aware of this. I am sure he would have installed a 12v Bosch glow plug if he ordered the part.
Mike T.

 

[Noodles]

Glad it is resolved with no real issues to the head with a stuck/broken one.