glowplug nightmare

[djneils98]

So I have one glowplug faulty. local garage unsure if it's the connector or the glowplug itself as the glowplug and connector were rusty (!) (the others apparently not though)
They've cleaned it all up but think it needs a new connector before trying to remove and think it might have been that giving the fault it so i'm waiting until the early part of next week for that to arrive and be fitted.
Before they looked at it the glowplug light came on for 60 secs after starting when the car was warm but not when it was cold.
Now it comes on for 60 seconds whenever the car is started

The real issue is I am going on holiday in the car next weekend (600 mile round trip) and I am worried the faulty plug will cause the DPF to not regen and all that hassle.
Can anybody advise if the drive is going to be do-able ?
I've been in contact with a specialist who say they can get the plug out but not before I go away
car is 2010 W212 E350 CDi

 

[onefortheroad]

All a glow plug does is aid starting. It's best to spray the plug with plus gas or similar and let it soak in over night for a good few days before trying to remove the glow plug, also it should be attempted with a red hot engine and tighten the plug a slight way before trying to loosen the plug to break any rust seal.

 

[curious]

I had similar symptoms with my OM646 when one plug went down. I tried to change it and snapped the top off. I didn't bother doing anything further with it since it started ok with three.

Two years later and it wasn't interested in starting in the cold. Put it on Star to discover the three previously good ones had now also failed. In light of my experience of failure with the first and finding they snap off for a hobby, I found the same advice as onefortheroad has posted.
I waited until the hottest day in June this year and went for it. Plenty of Plus-Gas, red-hot, etc, etc, and they spun out without further problem.
Back to three good plugs for now which will start it just fine.
If I can find someone who can remove the snapped one without it costing me a fortune i.e. done in situ and not requiring head removal etc, then I'll get it done. (plug No.2, borderline access in the Vito)

The problem with the error message on the dash is, it doesn't change when further plugs go down.

 

[EmilysDad]

....
If I can find someone who can remove the snapped one without it costing me a fortune i.e. done in situ and not requiring head removal etc, then I'll get it done. (plug No.2, borderline access in the Vito)
.....

It cost me £100 about 5 yrs ago to have the remnants of the glow plug that I sheared removed.
I found that, though STAR pointed its finger at a specific plug, it was the relay that had failed.

 

[curious]

It cost me £100 anout 5 yrs ago to have the remnants of the glow plug that I sheared removed.
I found that, though STAR pointed its finger at a specific plug, it was the relay that had failed.

Lets hope it's just the plug (since I've brand new one in a box waiting).