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Top Mechanics For Glow Plugs Replacement & Repairs

2 Reviews

Garage in Romsey, 40 years of experience

I’ve worked as a mechanic for 40 years at many independent and main dealer garages such as Fiat and Renault. Over the years I’ve collected all types of tools to make the work easier for me.

45 Reviews

Garage in Wincanton, 20 years of experience

Starting my love for cars watching my father repair cars since I was very young, then I went to a SENAI technical school of mechanics where I studied for 2 years and automotive electrical for another 2, afte...

30 Reviews

Garage in Telford , 6 years of experience

History working on every single category of vehicle. From cars, to vans, HGVs and heavy plant machinery.

146 Reviews

Garage in Manchester, 19 years of experience

At J Delaney Mobile Mechanic we have 19 years experience working on all makes and models we do everything from a diagnostics inspection to clutch jobs mobile.

212 Reviews

Garage in Liverpool, 10 years of experience

A1 Auto Repair Centre opened in 2013 and is owned and operated by owner Stephen Swift. The garage operate a 4 ramp workshop along with 1 pit. We have the ability to cater for all makes/models & repairs. We a...

16 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Luton, 6 years of experience

I have worked in the garage repairing cars for a trade car sales. I am specialised in diagnostic electrical trouble shooting faults, fixing mechanical problems, servicing cars, exhaust, brakes etc. I am frie...

6 Reviews

Garage in Tmworth, 20 years of experience

We are a traditional family run garage in the heart of polesworth with great reviews, we cater for all your needs no matter how big or small, feel free to pop in and see us anytime

246 Reviews

Garage in Wolverhampton, 22 years of experience

Hi, my name is Darren Branch. I have been working on cars most of my life, with 21 years worth of PROFESSIONAL experience. I have long realised that it is not the actual garage that you should be putting yo...

7 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Bristol , 5 years of experience

Why visit a garage? when you can opt for the convenience of a mechanic that comes to you, whether at home or at work. The range of work carried out includes (but is not limited to) servicing, brakes, batteri...

67 Reviews

Garage in Coulsdon, 7 years of experience

Services we offer include, Servicing and MOT, Mobile Mechanics and Services, Brake Repairs, Clutch Repairs, Electrical and Batteries, Diagnostics, Exhaust Repairs, Engine and Cooling, Steering and Suspension...

28 Reviews

Garage in Leighton Buzzard , 6 years of experience

6+ years working as a mechanic/ MOT Tester, specialised in diagnostics too. Manage a business in Leighton Buzzard. We offer all vehicle repairs, body repairs too. looking forward into helping to repair c...

176 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Doncaster, 15 years of experience

Having done my apprenticeship in an independent garage for 5 years then spending the Last year of the apprenticeship at Volkswagen and spent 7 years thereafter. Left VW for Peugeot then BMW for couple years....

2 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Southampton, 43 years of experience

I did my apprenticeship on agricultural vehicles, I wanted to learn about everything mechanical so then moved on to cars , after a few years on cars I switched to heavy goods vehicles , then on to a diesel s...

56 Reviews

Garage in St Leonards On Sea, 6 years of experience

I began my career by initially studying at Sussex Coast College and completed my apprenticeship thorough Voiture Ltd in Bexhill-on-Sea where I was for 3 years. I set-up my own called Carma Autocare in 2015....

1 Reviews

Garage in Romsey, 20 years of experience

20 years experience working on all makes and models of cars & vans of all ages Servicing, Repairs, Tyres, Brakes, MOTs. Motor Trade Business & Family Run Garage owner for the last 3 years. Please check out...

Frequently asked questions about glow plugs replacement & repairs

Read our answers to questions about glow plugs replacement costs, symptoms and more.

What do glow plugs do?

Glow plugs were originally used to assist with starting diesel engines in cold temperatures when the heavy oil used to coagulate. Now that diesel has many additives to prevent this, glow plugs have taken on the role of heating the incoming fuel / air mix to provide greater efficiency while the engine warms up. This also assists with decreasing the noise during cold running.

What does a glow plugs replacement involve?

  • The mechanic will pre-soak the glow plug threads with penetrating oil or similar and wait for it to take effect.
  • Mechanic will then ease the glow plugs undone and remove them one by one
  • New glow plugs will then be installed
  • Engine start up will be tested and error codes cleared down

Can I change glow plugs myself?

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a glow plugs replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

What are the symptoms of bad glow plugs?

You may experience some of the following symptoms

  • Glow plug warning light flashing when the ignition is switched on
  • Engine management warning light (EML) lit
  • Struggling to start from cold
  • Excessive fuel consumption while the engine warms up

How long will a glow plugs replacement take?

On average, glow plugs replacement times can range from 1 to 2 hours with an average of just over 1 hours. The time that the job takes will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

How often should glow plugs be replaced?

The majority of diesel vehicles will go through their life without requiring them to be changed, however like all electrical units, they can fail. If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, ideally would have the glow plugs changed as soon as possible. If the engine is starting OK, though and there is no EML lit, then get the glow plugs changed when you are able to.

Can you drive with a broken glow plug?

If you suspect there is any issue with the glow plug or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic with immediate effect. If the glow plug is physically broken or snapped do not drive the vehicle as this will lead to severe engine damage.

What is the Glow Plug Warning Light?

The glow plug warning light provides information on whether the glow plug has warmed up, and whether there is a problem with it. When the ignition is switched on the glow plug warning will come on as the glow plugs through it's pre-heat cycle, the light will go off again once the glow plugs have heated up.

If the glow plug warning light does not go off it means that the engine is not getting the right amount of heat from the plugs, which can affect starting and performance. If the glow plug warning light is flashing it means that the glow plugs are not getting hot enough to start the car and that there is a problem. This can be caused by a number of things.

Is it safe to drive with the Glow Plug Warning light on?

Generally it is ok to continue to drive at slower speeds with a flashing glow plug warning light, however, it does entirely depend on the scale of the glow plug issue. Often the engine also goes into 'limp mode' and power will be limited. It is highly recommended to get it checked by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible as it could lead to further problems and engine damage.

In rare cases the engine warning light may also flash simultaneously with the glow plug warning light, which can indicate an overheating engine. When this happens, the best thing to do is stop as soon as it is safe to do so and seek help from a breakdown service or a qualified vehicle technician

Will my car fail the MOT test if the Glow Plug Warning light is on?

Yes, it is possible that a flashing glow plug warning light may lead to an MOT fail. The underlying issue may lead to inefficient running of the engine and an emissions issue, on which a vehicle may be failed.

Is a faulty glow plug an MOT failure?

Yes, a faulty glow plug may result in an MOT failure - if the glow plug warning light on the dashboard goes off after a few seconds then it will normally pass the MOT (this is a sign the plugs have heated up correctly). If the warning light continues to flash or illuminate on the dashboard, it could result in an MOT failure as your vehicle may experience emissions issues.

How long do glow plugs last?

You can expect glow plugs to last at least 100,000 miles but they can become faulty at an earlier stage so may need replacing accordingly.

Are glow plugs easy to replace?

Glow plugs can be very hard to replace, especially if they are located in hard to reach location or in the case they are seized or stuck. The job best left to a certified mechanic as it needs the right parts and equipment to ensure the replacement is done properly. If a glow plug breaks on removal, an bits drop into the inside of the engine this will lead to the engine having to be opened up. Under no circumstances should the vehicle then be started as it can lead to catastrophic engine damage.

How many glow plugs do I need?

You need one glow plug for each cylinder in your engine so a 4 cylinder diesel engine will need 4 glow plugs.

How do you know if your glow plugs need changing?

Some tell-tale signs that your glow plugs may need changing include:

  • Engine misfiring
  • Rough idling
  • Decrease in fuel efficiency
  • Difficulty starting the car (especially in cold weather)
  • Dark or black-coloured exhaust smoke

How much does it cost to replace the glow plugs?

A glow plugs replacement generally costs between £125 and £250 with an average price of £170. Ultimately, the cost of replacing glow plugs depends on your car, what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement, and how many are needed. Find out what you could save by having your glow plugs replaced by ClickMechanic by selecting your car at the top of this page!

Check out the ClickMechanic price for a glow plugs replacement. See the averages for different makes below. We consolidate industry standard data with millions of data points to give you the most accurate price. These estimates may include Glow plug.

Estimates on average repair costs, such as the above results for a glow plugs replacement, are based on ClickMechanic's quote data which combines multiple third-party sources. Actual costs may vary. We provide estimates on average repair costs for information only and accept no liability for any inaccuracies or errors. If you think an estimate is incorrect, please contact us to let us know.

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