Technical EBay glow plugs or not?

[redmonds]

Hi All,
As previously stated I’ve inherited a 2012 1.3 multijet. It requires work but before I can start using it on a daily basis and I don’t want to put too much money into what could be a bag of nails.
The issue I have today is that when the van is started from cold it hunts and runs rough blowing out smelly blue smoke. Now, I do have a check glow plug message on the dash. So my question today is how do I check each individual glow plug for correct operation or do I just buy 4x plugs of eBay for £15 and replace the lot?
Diesels are a new thing for me so I’m unsure which is the best way forward.

 

[bugsymike]

Hi All,
As previously stated I’ve inherited a 2012 1.3 multijet. It requires work but before I can start using it on a daily basis and I don’t want to put too much money into what could be a bag of nails.
The issue I have today is that when the van is started from cold it hunts and runs rough blowing out smelly blue smoke. Now, I do have a check glow plug message on the dash. So my question today is how do I check each individual glow plug for correct operation or do I just buy 4x plugs of eBay for £15 and replace the lot?
Diesels are a new thing for me so I’m unsure which is the best way forward.

If you have MES diagnostics it may tell you which one is faulty.
However if the wire is disconnected at the heater plug and you have a basic multimeter, with the engine off you can measure the continuity using the ohms setting between the terminal and engine earth. If no continuity then it usually indicates a duff heater plug.
With a cold engine another test is clip the voltmeter to the heater plug terminal in it's normal connected position and if visible from the drivers seat you should see a voltage reading between the terminal and engine earth when you turn on key of cold engine, just ignition light is OK it doesn't have to be running. You need to clip them on to get a good reading and usually it will stay on for a few seconds and then go off. If you get no reading then the heater plug relay may be at fault. Test all four heater plugs.
Note in the old days the voltage reading would be around 12 volts , but often it can be as low as 4.4volts depending on the type of heater plug system.
If you are an electrician or have access to a clip on amp meter you can fit it on the cable and should get a reading of roughly 8 amps if heater plug is working.
If you get none of these tests working then you probably need to change that heater plug.
I have bought heater plugs from eBay with no problem , but I try to stay with a good company with good feedback, also I chose brands that I recognise like Bosch or NGK etc.
The other point is to have the correct deep socket to undo the old heater plug and be very careful as if they snap off you can have a big garage bill to fix it.

 

[redmonds]

Thanks again bugsy,
I don’t have my own diagnostic tool but I know of several at work I can borrow if needed to.
I do however have a voltage meter so will follow what you’ve laid out above over the weekend.

Again thank you for your support

 

[the green vanper]

Not every error codes reader will work with FIATs. However most of them should manage to connect to the engine ECU.

 

[Abarthmultijet]

I'm going to get an angry mob with pitchforks and torches if I say this but when we check glowplugs I pull all the glowplug cables off and get a nice wire from the battery positive and hit the upper part of the glow plug. If it sparks its ok, if it doesn't spark it is broken . Has always worked for me and continues to do so.

You can get ebay glowplugs as long as they are a good brand (Bosch, NGK)

 

[bugsymike]

I'm going to get an angry mob with pitchforks and torches if I say this but when we check glowplugs I pull all the glowplug cables off and get a nice wire from the battery positive and hit the upper part of the glow plug. If it sparks its ok, if it doesn't spark it is broken . Has always worked for me and continues to do so.

You can get ebay glowplugs as long as they are a good brand (Bosch, NGK)

In the old days yes!
I did that 20 years ago on an Isuzu engined Bedford Midi van and destroyed four heater plugs. They didn't operate at battery voltage.
Also incidentally the the Doblo 1.6 MJ uses 4.4 volt heater plugs , so they would be destroyed also.
Ebay advert.:-4X Glow Plugs 4.4V For Fiat 500 Punto Doblo Idea Panda 1.3 D Multijet 55210051 ; Type. Glow Plug ;

 

[the green vanper]

In the old days yes!
I did that 20 years ago on an Isuzu engined Bedford Midi van and destroyed four heater plugs. They didn't operate at battery voltage.
Also incidentally the the Doblo 1.6 MJ uses 4.4 volt heater plugs , so they would be destroyed also.
Ebay advert.:-4X Glow Plugs 4.4V For Fiat 500 Punto Doblo Idea Panda 1.3 D Multijet 55210051 ; Type. Glow Plug ;

Very good comment @bugsymike
I'd like to add that all the electronic modules in modern vehicles (ECU, BCM, airbag, etc) are very sensitive to voltage fluctuations. And repairs are very expensive.

 

[Abarthmultijet]

A little spark hasn't hurt anybody. Just a little touch. Understand it is not 100% right but test probally 2-3 cars in a month with this method and never broke a single glow plug.

 

[bugsymike]

A little spark hasn't hurt anybody. Just a little touch. Understand it is not 100% right but test probally 2-3 cars in a month with this method and never broke a single glow plug.

Speak as you find, but a cheap Multimeter will do your test on an OHM setting with no risk.