CLS glow plugs - nightmare!

[zedmeister]

Hi,

Just gave my CLS in for servicing at an indie - the glow plug light used to stay on for about 1 min after starting so he said I needed to change the plugs - he said best to change all 6. Well, he changed 3 and broke the other 3. What should I do? Any diesel specialists nearby or someone that can get the broken plugs out?

Help!

 

[jberks]

Why can't the garage get them out? It's a fairly normal problem. If a garage agreed to do a job, got a perfectly normal expected problem and then tried to hand the broken car back I'd be very unhappy.
I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a more reputable local workshop to put it right.

 

[panason1c]

Its imperative that the engine is at working temp before attempting removal of the g/plugs to minimise the risk of them shearing.......did your indie try to remove them from a cold engine?

 

[Silver_Star]

Hi,

he changed 3 and broke the other 3. What should I do?

Find a decent mechanic that knows what they are doing. This is one of the risks when changing CDI plugs in particular. Your "mechanic" should have advised you of the risk and that it may be more if they run into problems. Any decent mechanic will be able to drill them out or knowe a mobile engineering guy come round and sort it.

I would get a recommendation from here of someone local.

 

[zedmeister]

Its imperative that the engine is at working temp before attempting removal of the g/plugs to minimise the risk of them shearing.......did your indie try to remove them from a cold engine?

No, he assures me the engine was up to temp.

 

[zedmeister]

Find a decent mechanic that knows what they are doing. This is one of the risks when changing CDI plugs in particular. Your "mechanic" should have advised you of the risk and that it may be more if they run into problems. Any decent mechanic will be able to drill them out or knowe a mobile engineering guy come round and sort it.

I would get a recommendation from here of someone local.

He never mentioned it could go wrong - now I'm in a worse position than before and with unexpected bills. I wish I had taken it to Merc. Any local recommendations?

 

[Frontstep]

They simply need drilling out, tools are available to facilitate this and as said some areas have mobile people who will come and remove them.
I struggle to understand how you could be handed back the car as is.
The last person I know had the problem was charged £50 callout including first plug and £25 additional plugs this was in the Lancashire area and the man left within the hour.

 

[zedmeister]

The guy says his specialist is in Leicester and wants £300 and diesel to take it there - I would rather get it done locally - you can imagine I am not happy. If I can get the 3 done for £100 it would be great. The long weekend is here and I don't want to be without a car. How should I find someone?

 

[Silver_Star]

The guy says his specialist is in Leicester and wants £300 and diesel to take it there - I would rather get it done locally - you can imagine I am not happy. If I can get the 3 done for £100 it would be great. The long weekend is here and I don't want to be without a car. How should I find someone?

£300 + diesel, he is having a laugh and is obviously trying to wash his hands of it. I would get your car back and never take it to him again. Have a word with some local garages around you they have contact details of any mobile engineering guys...they will be able to do it at your house.

Failing that I think there is an indy on this forum Herts mercs that may be able to sort it for you. Or somebody may be along to recommend another indy near you.

 

[zedmeister]

I've taken it somewhere local - lets see what he says.

BTW, does anyone know where the dip stick is on one of these? I can't see it under the bonnet and there does not appear to be a menu option to check the oil.

 

[orb the Impaler]

He never mentioned it could go wrong - now I'm in a worse position than before and with unexpected bills. I wish I had taken it to Merc. Any local recommendations?

This is exactly why I only take my car to Merc.
I'm quite frankly stunned that they have the gall to hand it back in such a state.

 

[gary272]

I would threaten them with Trading Standards. Disgraceful customer service.

 

[star]

This is exactly why I only take my car to Merc.
I'm quite frankly stunned that they have the gall to hand it back in such a state.

Then again mb might not change your plugs on a 600 for fear of breaking a coil. We have had glow plugs sieze (not on a v6cdi......yet) and will not move no matter how hard/method we try. We then inform the customer of the problem and estimated cost.

The op's car will still be drivable until a suitable time for repair can be arranged.

 

[zedmeister]

Well, the diesel specialist got 1 of the 3 out - he says the other 2 will not budge. He said that the head would need to come out so they could be drilled (he advised its not worth drilling them with the head on as the risk is too great in getting bits in the engine) and that if it were his car he would not bother as it should start fine on 4 plugs. He spent several hours on it but charged me £60 in labour as he only did one. What should I do?

 

[Frontstep]

You could buy him one of these for his birthday,

http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/ca...engine-service-tools/showitem-14057-9541.aspx

Better still ask some local garages to see if theres a local removal service.

 

[zedmeister]

You could buy him one of these for his birthday,

http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/ca...engine-service-tools/showitem-14057-9541.aspx

Better still ask some local garages to see if theres a local removal service.

That's what I had thought I had done. I asked him if he had plug removal tools and he said yes. I'm just spending money with no results. I need someone that can definitely do the job and at a fixed cost.

Star said that he's never seen them seize on a V6 yet. Guess I'm just unlucky.

 

[st4]

I've never heard of this on the V6CDi. I'm sadly expecting the head to come off if you want to change all the plugs. It may well start on four, but the car really wasn't designed for that.

 

[zedmeister]

Looking at the other plugs that have come out, they are all clean and not corroded. That led the specialist to think that it would be an easy job. Its all very strange.

 

[zedmeister]

And to top all that, I have a warranty and they won't pay more than the book hours to change the plugs which is 13 mins!

 

[st4]

Looking at the other plugs that have come out, they are all clean and not corroded. That led the specialist to think that it would be an easy job. Its all very strange.

Agreed. Some just stick more than others, and as much as I slate the 642 engine, I've never heard this one before.

I wonder if your original garage has actually messed it up, and has got them stuck in?

And to top all that, I have a warranty and they won't pay more than the book hours to change the plugs which is 13 mins!

I may be funny here, but I'd want all of the plugs out, and to put in new ones....