Pulling Glowplug caps/lead off

[Fredrickson]

Diesel noob here, so I apologize if this is a common sense thing and I am just being a dunce.


I was attempting to change the glow plugs on my '94 7.3 E-350 yesterday.. and I was having a tough time getting the white (plastic?) cap off the tip of the glow plug.

It was cold, and my fingers were not working as well as usual, but is there a trick, tool or special dance that is needed to pop the cap/wire from the top of the GP?

I'm not talking about removing the GP itself.. I'm talking simply removing the the wire lead off the top so I can get the socket on it.

I don't know how brittle the connector is, so I didn't want too yank too heard for fear of breaking/stripping/snapping something, and turning was should have been a simple task into a major project.

Insight appreciated.

 

[quickster]

Welcome. Those plastic covers get brittle after 25 or so years. Underneath is the bullet connector. If the plastic falls apart don't sweat it. Mine have been gone since I replaced my gp's. Just pull off by the connector- not the wire. If it's hot, put on a glove.

 

[Selahdoor]

You wouldn't happen to also own a trooper, would you?

 

[Fredrickson]

Thanks Quickster.. I was thinking of just using some pliers to work them back and forth and up and off..

Selahdoor. Nope. Just the E350. (it's an old ambulance)

 

[chillman88]

If the plastic breaks off but the connector is ok just slide some heat shrink over them to prevent anything from shorting. If the connectors break off, you can use crimp on bullet connectors to replace bad ones.

 

[notenuftime]

Classic diesel design makes replacement GP harnesses.