Hard to get at glow plugs

[David Sailing]

Whats the best way to change the back two glow plugs on the passenger side of a 1993 7.3. The turbo is in the way as well as other things. Thanks

 

[sootman73]

remove turbo.... yea it sucks. i was able to get the number five plug out but it wasn't easy and if you have big hands you wont be able to do it..... i had the injector line clamps off and had to move the lines around to get to it but it is possible without removing turbo. i elected to not replace the number 8 plug....

 

[sassyrel]

1/4 ratchet,1/4 universal,10m/m short and deep sockets, 8 inch extension--taint easy--butttttt-----------remove turbo--i think not--

 

[GasFree]

Use the 1/4" socket w/ universal as sassyrel says to break them loose then put a piece of tubing on them to spin them off by hand. Speeds it up some. Just think of those two as an opportunity to exercise patience.

 

[Agnem]

A crows foot can help also.

 

[Sycostang67]

That last plug is a royal pain, think I spent 1.5 hours(remove and install) on that plug alone. I used needle nose pliers to unplug it and then got it somewhat loose with an open end wrench. I got a hose on the end but had to put a clamp on the hose so it would spin the plug instead of just spinning on the plug.

 

[forcefed]

I used a 1/4" ratchet and swivels. Its a pain but its able to be done.

 

[65sixbanger]

If you dont have them already, get you a set of Wobble extensions. They sell them at tractor supply and work wonders. You would really be surprised at how much you might need that extra angle or something.

 

[J D Recovery]

Tourch. Cut the turbo off, then the lines, then the glow plug. Then reinstall backwards.

Don't forget to weld it all back together when done

 

[Diesel JD]

What turbo do you have? Ford/ATS factory turbo I'm guessing since you don't say. I was able to get #7 out with my old 088 style ATS turbo. It wasn't real easy but I used some extensions, a universal joint and the usual socket to get it started. Only time I think you'd have a real problem is if heaven forbid one of them gets stuck or breaks off.

 

[sootman73]

wow i would never find one plug worth 1.5 hrs worth of work. i just didn't replace it and i have no problem starting my truck at any temp.... and i dont plug it in. itd been two years and no proof that that one plug matters enough to worry about it....

 

[GasFree]

Tourch. Cut the turbo off, then the lines, then the glow plug. Then reinstall backwards.

 

[Black dawg]

I built myself a socket out of a 1/4 drive 3/8 by shortening it as much as possible and still get a good bite on the hex, and then cut the square end off of a 1/4 drive universal and shortened that en of the universal as much as possible and then welded the two together. with this socket its so easy I bet jsnap could do it.