So I've got my valve cover off and the #7 glow plug is stuck in the cylinder head. The actual threaded housing came out but the heating element came part and is either lodged or resting in the cylinder head.

So far I've tried using a magnet and needle nose pliers.

 

high power shop vac maybe?

 

A 24 to 48 hour soak with PB blaster, Kroil, Free-all, etc and then try again.

 

There's been stories of driving the broken piece down into the combustion chamber and then fishing it back out through the injector hole.

 

Thanks for sharing Kwik. The thing is definetely not coming out without pulling the cylinder head. I'm not chancing any broken pieces in the cylinder. I'm new to diesels still. Correct me if I'm wrong. The glow plug is needed to start the vehicle and doesn't affect the cylinder combustion after ignition right? I'm happy running 7 new glow plugs and not pulling my cylinder head if it's not that much trouble. I live in a warm place anyways. Thanks!!

 

fyi i would check the timer and coolant temp controler to make sure the glow plugs or not over loaded or on to long that melts the tips and flares them out. just so it dont happen again

 

Another way you could try to get it out would be to put that threaded piece back on the glow plug and flare the top of the plug so the threaded nut won't come off, than soak it like kwikkordead said than try to pry it out.

 

More info please. Has the bottom half broken off and now in the cylinder or has it simply snapped in two?

 

sounds like bottom half broke off! is y i said try shop vac!

 

Well, if you suspect it fell off in the cylinder. Show's over. Stop where you are and get it out or pay the rebuild price. Has nothing to do with what is needed to start the truck. It will tear it apart if not removed.

 

The glow plug has not broken apart or fallen into the cylinder. The glow plug came apart where the threaded shaft bonds to the heating element. It's hard to describe without a picture but the outter shell came off the rest of the plug. Understand? I put the outter shell back over the stuck glow plug and it threaded back in without problems. I've decided to reassemble everything and leave it with 7 operating glow plugs. The vehicle isn't under warranty and the 8 hours of labor would really hurt my pockets.

What effects over long periods of time will having 7/8 glow plugs have on my engine? Is it absolutely neccessary to pull my head at this point? I live near the coast and temps never go below freezing ever. Can someone spell it all out for me, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

i have heard of this working: like dan said soak it overnight (or longer) PB, Break Free, ect. than cover the GP with some thick towles and crank the engine...sometimes there is enough pressure to shoot the tip out or loosen it enough to get it out. like i said i have "heard" of that working but have never done it my self or seen it done

 

Pull the IDM relay before you try that. You dont want it firing off, that would send that tip through anything in its way.

 

I may try to get this thing out in the future. I drive my vehicle as a work truck on a regular basis and can't afford to have it down until friday afternoon comes around. I'm looking for some feedback on the effects that 7/8 glow plugs will have though please!

 

If it was in bad enough shape to come apart I would be afraid the tip could break off and end up scoring a cylinder wall.