Glow Plugs replacement & repair made easy

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Top Mechanics For Glow Plugs Replacement & Repairs

21 Reviews

Garage in High Wycombe , 18 years of experience

At Wycombe Mots we offer many services which range from: Vehicle Mots (pick up and drop off available at extra cost) Servicing Repairs Diagnostics Tyres We are a local trusted garage with great revi...

34 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Peebles, 20 years of experience

JCS Mobile Mechanics offer a wide range of car repair and maintenance services, from oil changes and brake repairs to engine diagnostics and tire replacements, all conveniently delivered to your location.

20 Reviews

Garage in Wellington, 25 years of experience

I have extensive work experience in MB, VW/Audi group and all small passenger vehicles. I specialise in diagnostics and repairs and carry out brake, ABS and normal servicing

9 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Dundee, 15 years of experience

Volkswagen apprenticeship completed. Level 2 attained. Level 3 accreditation attained. Current mot tester. Dealership and private garage experience.

63 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Preston, 8 years of experience

Over the past four years, I have successfully owned and operated my own garage, where I have gained valuable hands-on experience in all aspects of automotive repair and maintenance. From diagnosing and troub...

43 Reviews

Garage in Portsmouth, 21 years of experience

Over the years I have worked in various garages, carrying out mechanical repairs, including, servicing, general repairs, mot repair, cambelts/timing chains, clutches, head gaskets, engine replacements etc I ...

455 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Wakefield, 20 years of experience

15 years experience as a mechanic, 9 years spent as a commercial vehicle technician at ford. competent in all aspects of vehicle maintenance and repair including diagnostics.

1235 Reviews

Garage in Darwen, 14 years of experience

I started my apprenticeship when I left school at the age of 15. I’ve been fully qualified for 11+ years with NVQ level 1, 2 and 3. I’ve been an MOT tester for 10 years. Here at Jamie’s mobile mechanic w...

120 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Kingsheath , 22 years of experience

Welcome to FCG MOTORS, your local, friendly and independent mobile mechanic. We are based in Birmingham. We cover the Birmingham area and surrounding areas on a mobile basis, so we come to you at your ho...

33 Reviews

Garage in Worcestershire, 10 years of experience

Listers Volkswagen and Audi service technician trained 3 years German independent specialists 3 years Porsche independent specialist 1 year Other independent garages 3 years

20 Reviews

Garage in Harlow, 12 years of experience

We are mobile car mechanics and expert in servicing and repair in all car makes and models. We guarantee the quality of all our car service.

35 Reviews

Garage in Birmingham , 10 years of experience

we have a team of 20 years+ qualified and experienced motor mechanics, Body shop denters, panel beaters, denters etc

15 Reviews

Garage in Eastleigh , 9 years of experience

Worked as a mechanic from school now have over 9 years of experience working with independent garages working on all makes and model of cars and completing a wide variety of different vehicle repairs

7 Reviews

Garage in Bucks , 12 years of experience

We are a small family run business and understand how important it is for you to have a safe vehicle for you to travel to work, school and for personal reasons. We can come to you at home or work at a time ...

989 Reviews

Garage in Enfield, 30 years of experience

We provide MOT tests, servicing and car repairs on all makes and models in Enfield and surrounding areas. Catering for customers in Enfield, Cheshunt, Barnet and Southgate, we offer quality car servicing and...

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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