Glow plug tip stuck!!!

[steve johnson]

Good evening fellas,
Today I decided to change my glow plugs as this van I have not long owned has been really not looked after, I soaked the plug tops in wd40 over night  and warmed the engine up with a few miles drive...Did all the required work to get to the plugs with no issues as it had all been stripped off last week...the first plug (gearbox end) was very, very tight so It got another blast of wd 40 and I moved on to the rest..they were quite tight but came out without any undue force...back to the first plug...still very very tight so I gently increased the force till it started to move...more wd 40 left for a few mins...then gently screwed it out...only to find that the tip/rod had been left stuck inside....no amount of pulling with very tight mole grips would budge it no matter what way I tried...I was told to give it a few gentle taps to break whatever it was that was sealing it in...This I did and it moved down very slightly..but would not pull up at all...I tried for 4 hours to no avail...do any of you guys have any tips/ideas to sort this...or do I finaly need to take off the head...was only going to take the head off in spring...arghhh!!!!;Regards ,
Steve...

[geoff]

If it is in the head still then crank the engine to use compression to forcibly eject it - watch for it flying out !!!!!!!

[ron]

If it is in the head still then crank the engine to use compression to forcibly eject it - watch for it flying out !!!!!!!

Beat  me to it.

[steve johnson]

If it is in the head still then crank the engine to use compression to forcibly eject it - watch for it flying out !!!!!!!

Thanks Geoff..Ive tried that but to avail...I realy gave the engine some  boot..nothing...I put some rags over it to catch it if it flew out...as I was wanting it to..so was a bit miffed when it was still in there laughing at me...its had a few name changes today I can tell you..it may come out in the morning after an overnight soak...I may take it for a good run to heat up the head and see how it goes...I really can see the head coming off to be honest..Im sure its never been changed...the old plugs were champion brand...dont know if thats any indication of how long they have been in..I got Bosch to replace them,
Regards,
Steve..

[geoff]

Always a silver lining ..... ??? ...... well you haven't done the cam belt yet ...... at least you seem to take the disappointments well.

[steve johnson]

Always a silver lining  ..... ??? ...... well you haven't done the cam belt yet ...... at least you seem to take the disappointments well.

Ha Ha..Some silver lining eh!.....I wanted the weather to warm up a bit first...but there you go ...I look at it as its a good learning curve for me on these type of engines...plus Im getting to know this van inside out..literaly...I will probably do jobs that may not need doing just yet but at least I know they will be done properly...going by what Ive found of late it is evedent that its really been neglected...but without you chaps I would be lost...and the smokie old thing has grown on me.....I use it more than my Old Merc..ha ha.. ,
Steve...

[Tomcat3]

Ive always used Plus Gas on really stubborn seized fittings and give it a good soak and heat. I like Geoff and Ron's suggestion of starting motor but stand well clear. Reminds me when I was young and stupid and nearly took my head off getting a piston out of a bike caliper with an air line and I took a glancing blow as it went past lol.
If you want a laugh have a look on you tube at the mad violent ways lunatics use to remove injectors, some should come with health warnings.

[steve johnson]

Ive always used Plus Gas on really stubborn seized fittings and give it a good soak and heat. I like Geoff and Ron's suggestion of starting motor but stand well clear. Reminds me when I was young and stupid and nearly took my head off getting a piston out of a bike caliper with an air line and I took a glancing blow as it went past lol.
If you want a laugh have a look on you tube at the mad violent ways lunatics use to remove injectors, some should come with health warnings.

I will get some Plus Gas in the morning Tomcat3...WD seems to have done nothing..as for heat..I have no way of doing that other than get the engine hot...and would be afraid of setting the thing on fire with my luck at the moment...could always get the Mother-in-law to stare at it...sure that would do the trick..ha ha...glad she cant see this,
Steve..

[polar]

You have been very unlucky to be fair that could have happened to anyone.

How about starting the engine without that glow plug in and take it for a spin and get it hot it will chuff like a B*****d but its bound to come out at some point especially when it gets hot?

[steve johnson]

You have been very unlucky to be fair that could have happened to anyone.

How about starting the engine without that glow plug in and take it for a spin and get it hot it will chuff like a B*****d but its bound to come out at some point especially when it gets hot?

That thought occured to me this morning Polar....Im going to take the top of the plug out then tape up the connection tab then as you say go for spin...I may just get on the M6 and boot it as best I can..that may fire it out..I really hope so...dont fancy taking the head off this weather..but if needs must...I will have to do just that...thank you very much for your input..I appreciate it,
Regards,
Steve