Glow plug tip broken - Can I run the engine?

[gos]

Hello,

The tip of the foremost glow plug on the left side broke off when trying to remove the glow plug. The tip is stuck in the hole and can't be moved by tapping gently on it.

I have a 1995 Ford E-350 Econoline Van with a 7.3 Liter Turbo Engine.

I have been adviced by the mechanic that did the job, that I can safely drive the car. However, I am afraid that the tip (3 cm / 1.2 inch) will fall down into the prechamber and then into the cylinder and ruin the engine.

I have read a tip that someone was able to remove the Tip of the GP through the injector inlet using a magnet / compressed air & suction.
See "Glow plug removal article"

I am hestitant to remove the head to get the GP tip out: The space is cramped on the Econoline, and if a bolt is stuck I can end up having to take the engine out (!!!).

Questions:

1) The car starts fine with 7 OK glow plugs: Should I leave the broken GP tip in the hole? Is this safe ?

2) Is it really possible to get the GP tip out the injector inlet hole?

Please apologize if I am using akward terms, as I am not native american!


regards

Geir Ove
Norway

[melmount]

what ever you do dont put your face over it while trying to remove it with any pressure. Could be like a bullit!

[gos]

Originally Posted by melmount

what ever you do dont put your face over it while trying to remove it with any pressure. Could be like a bullit!

Yeah, I heard.

My question though is wether it is safe to drive the car with the tip stuck in the glow plug hole:

Most likely it will blow out. However, the following scenario is plausible:

When engine cools, the tip shrinks faster than the surrounding hole and thus falls into the prechamber, possible into the engine if the tip can make through the hole in the prechamber cup.

Hopefully, driving it locally around the workshop I may blow the tip out of the hole and may fit a new GP...

Anyone have any thougts on this?

[Gruss]

The tech article you referenced to is for an IDI, NOT a PSD. There are no pre-chambers in a PSD. Are you working on an IDI or a PSD?

[gos]

Originally Posted by Gruss

The tech article you referenced to is for an IDI, NOT a PSD. There are no pre-chambers in a PSD. Are you working on an IDI or a PSD?

Thanks for your answer

I am new to the 3 letter acronyms here, so I do not know what IDI means, please fill me in! I have a PowerStroke Diesel, so I assume that's what PSD stands for.

Still the questions originally asked remains: What is the likelihood of the GP Tip falling into the cylinder if I drive with it in place?

Putting the piston on TDC, and tapping on the tip till it falls down, is it possible (with injector removed) to get the tip out through the injector hole?

Greatful for all help I can get !

[dieselkane]

It's a 95, so you have a Powerstroke DI (Direct Inject) Turbo Diesel engine.

[IMQDZLA]

Still the questions originally asked remains: What is the likelihood of the GP Tip falling into the cylinder if I drive with it in place?

Putting the piston on TDC, and tapping on the tip till it falls down, is it possible (with injector removed) to get the tip out through the injector hole?

I've heard that is the correct way to do it. When the same thing happened to me years ago, I couldn't make it budge when tapping on it, so I put the valve cover back on and started the truck, hoping the compression would push the tip out of the hole. (The risk, of course, was that it also might have gotten sucked into the cylinder.) I got lucky and it was pushed out. I don't recommend that procedure, it's risky.

[gos]

Originally Posted by IMQDZLA

I've heard that is the correct way to do it. When the same thing happened to me years ago, I couldn't make it budge when tapping on it, so I put the valve cover back on and started the truck, hoping the compression would push the tip out of the hole. (The risk, of course, was that it also might have gotten sucked into the cylinder.) I got lucky and it was pushed out. I don't recommend that procedure, it's risky.

Thanks for your comments!

Regarding removing the tip: It's the correct way to do it on a non powerstroke engine: However, as I have learned here, the PSD has NO prechamber, but a recess in the Piston where the air compresses:

Tapping the tip out of the hole will make it fall into the Piston recess: Is it really possible to get it out through the Injector Hole from that position ??

Geir Ove

[IMQDZLA]

Tapping the tip out of the hole will make it fall into the Piston recess: Is it really possible to get it out through the Injector Hole from that position ??

From what I hear, it's possible, though tedious. I never got the chance to find out, since I couldn't get the tip to budge.

[gos]

Hello,

Is there anyone out there that has / know some one that has removed a GP tip through the Injector hole on a Powerstroke Diesel (1995 model if that matters) ??

Geir Ove