Stuck Glow Plugs!!! Please Help!!!

[Diesel85]

Ok, I'm a new member to this site but I've been scouring everyones posts for a while now. I have recently purchased a neglected 97 F350 and a few of the glowplugs weren't operable so I decided to replace them, along with the relay, gaskets, etc. BTW the glow plugs have never been replaced and the motor has 265k, so thats the kind of neglect we're talking about. On the left side of the motor (driver's side), I have one glow plug body that seperated from the rod which is stuck in the head. On the right side (passenger) 3 of the glow plugs did the exact same thing. I've read countless posts about using vice-grips and PB blaster, Kroil and a Slide hammer attached to the vice-grips but they aren't budging. I've tried to tap them down and still nothing. Is there anything else I can try? And Yes, I've read about cranking the motor and shooting them out, but with 4 stuck I'm affraid of destroying something. I really don't want to pull the heads so I was wondering if there were ANY other options. Thanks.

[Turbostang500]

If you do decide to crank the engine, I would try laying something like a few blankets over the engine so those things dont become projectiles! Lol
sorry I dont have a better solution for you.

[Diesel85]

LOL! Thanks, thats kinda what I figured.

[csdwarf11]

Is heat a bad idea? what is around that heat could cause a problem? if you can heat it, eat around it and cool the actual glow plug with an icecube. to get expand/contracting helping you out.

[jeric]

Just finally did my 2 stuck ones I've been dreading for a year. What I did.is filed off the threads from a glow plug and used it as a punch. One tip fell in and was retrieved via magnet through injector hole. The other ended up getting stuck in the punch and I had pulled it right out with it. The middle is the one I pulled out the left is a normal plus and the one on the rights what came out initially.

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[backwoodsboy]

Before you try tapping them back into the hole to break them loose, make sure you have that cylinder at TDC. This will prevent the tip from falling in should it come loose.
Kroil or a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone are the two best solvents that I know of.
I wouldn't worry about a tip falling into the cylinder, as there will never be vacuum present. Heat cycles are going to be your best friend. Try bumping the engine over by hand, followed by the starter, followed by starting the engine and letting it get up to temp. If they haven't become dislodged at this point, shut the engine off and spray the tip with "Freeze-Off". The expansion of the block and contraction of the tip may be enough to work it loose. If not, my final resort is to run the engine up to temp again, spray with freeze off again, and then pull on the tip while a friend turns the engine over from BDC to TDC of the compression stroke. DO NOT sit with your face over the glow-plug, as it can potentially exit with some force.
If none of these work, you are going to be pulling the heads. It can seem like an overwhelming task, but isn't terrible once you get into it.

[jeric]

Forgot to add that TDC point appreciate it backwoodsboy

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[Diesel85]

Thanks for all your input. I'll be tinkering with it tonight/tomorrow. I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks Again!!!

[Diesel85]

So after a days work I got them out without removing the heads. I used brake cleaner, pb blaster, and a mini sledge to get them loose. I turned the motor by hand until tdc was reached each time for the stuck gp cylinder so they didn't fall too far. Then used a pocket magnet to bring them up to where i could get my needle nose vice grips on them. WHAT A RELIEF!!! Thanks Again for all your help and info!