Glow Plug Removal and Extraction Tools for Diesel Engines

Glow Plug Removal and Extraction Tools for Diesel Engines

Working with tightly seated glow plugs requires careful handling, as a damaged or broken glow plug can result in significant additional repair costs. The key factors are using the correct wrench size, applying the permissible loosening force, and using a tool that transmits rotational and pulling forces to the glow plug as precisely as possible.

• What are glow plug removal and extraction tools used for?

  GAN tools are designed for glow plugs that cannot be easily removed from the glow plug well.
  
  They are particularly suitable for glow plugs that have already been loosened or unscrewed but remain stuck, for example, due to carbon buildup or problems in the well.

• Why can glow plugs get stuck in the cylinder head?

  Possible causes may include, among other things, deposits and carbon buildup in the area of the glow plug or its housing.
  
  Damage or problems with the thread, as well as severe thermal and mechanical stress over the course of its service life, can also make removal more difficult.

• What makes GAN 01 special?

  GAN 01 not only allows the glow plug to be unscrewed.

  If the glow plug remains stuck, the following can be applied simultaneously:

  • controlled loosening force,
  • tensile force, and
  • impulses via an impact weight

  This is intended to loosen the glow plug from the socket in a controlled manner.

• What sizes are available?

  Currently, three individual tools are available:

  • GAN 01_SW8_LR – SW 8
  • GAN 01_SW9_LR – SW 9
  • GAN 01_SW10_LR – SW 10

  In addition, there is the GAN Set 01_LR, which includes all three sizes.

• What do SW 8, SW 9, and SW 10 mean?

  SW stands for wrench size.

  It describes the size of the glow plug's drive hex, for which the respective GAN tool is designed.

  SW 8, SW 9, and SW 10 should therefore not be confused with the glow plug's thread.

• Is the wrench size the same as the glow plug thread?

  No.

  The socket size refers to the hexagon used to turn the glow plug.

  The thread, on the other hand, refers to the threaded connection in the cylinder head.

  The appropriate socket size of the glow plug is crucial for selecting the GAN tool.

• Which GAN tool do I need?

  The tool must match the socket size of the installed glow plug.

  Therefore, the glow plug or engine assignment should be checked before use.

  At a multi-brand repair shop, the GAN Set 01_LR with socket sizes 8, 9, and 10 may be a better choice than a single tool.

• What's included in GAN Set 01_LR?

  The complete set includes:

  GAN 01_SW8, GAN 01_SW9, GAN 01_SW10, the GS 01 impact weight, and the AF 01 screw-on guide.

• When is the complete set a good choice?

  This set is particularly useful for repair shops that service a variety of diesel engines or vehicle makes.
  
  Instead of covering just one wrench size, it includes three commonly needed sizes: SW 8, SW 9, and SW 10.

• What does the GS 01 impact weight do?

  The striking weight enables additional axial pulling forces.
  
  These can help move a glow plug that has already been loosened but is still stuck in the well outward.
  
  The striking weight is included in the GAN complete set and is listed as an accessory for individual tools.

• What is the AF 01 screw-on guide used for?

  AF 01 is part of the GAN complete set and is also available as an accessory for individual tools.
  
  It is a component of the tool assembly designed for the controlled use of the boring and extraction tool.

• Does the glow plug need to be loosened before removing it?

  The GAN tools support both unscrewing and the subsequent removal or tapping out.
  
  However, the system is particularly useful for glow plugs that have already been turned or loosened but cannot be removed due to deposits in the well.

• Can GAN 01 loosen a glow plug that's completely seized?

  This tool can assist in the controlled removal of severely seized glow plugs.
  
  However, there is no guarantee that every damaged, heavily corroded, or mechanically seized glow plug can be removed without causing damage.
  
  The condition of the glow plug, the thread, and the cylinder head must be taken into account during the procedure.

• How is the lifting force applied?

  GAN tools feature a SW 19 hex shank, which allows the permissible loosening force to be applied.

  At the same time, the impact weight can be used to generate extraction pulses.

• Can any amount of torque be applied?

  No.

  The Leitenberger product description explicitly refers to the maximum permissible pulling force.

  The permissible load for the specific glow plug and the manufacturer's specifications must be taken into account.

  Excessive forces can damage the glow plug or cause it to break off.

• Why is controlled torque particularly important for glow plugs?

  Glow plugs are relatively slender components and can be damaged or snapped off if subjected to excessive force.
  
  A broken piece left in the cylinder head can significantly increase the cost of repairs.
  
  Therefore, you should not simply apply more and more force when removing them.

• How does the GAN tool affect the glow plug?

  According to the manufacturer, the design transfers torque and tensile force to the hexagonal drive of the glow plug.

  This means the tool takes a different approach than methods in which forces would be applied to more delicate parts of the glow plug.

• Is there tension on the center electrode?

  The product description explicitly states that the design is intended to prevent the center electrode from breaking off and that torque or tensile force acts on the drive hex.

• Why is the center electrode critical?

  The center electrode—or the internal structure—of a glow plug is not designed to withstand arbitrarily high mechanical pull-out forces.
  
  Therefore, it is advisable to apply forces to stable areas of the component that are suitable for this purpose.

• Can you turn and remove a glow plug at the same time?

  That is exactly what the GAN system is designed for.
  
  While controlled torque is applied via the SW-19 drive, an axial pulling motion or an impulse can be generated simultaneously via the impact weight.

• Why does an additional pulling motion help?

  Even if the thread is loose, a loose glow plug may still be stuck in the well due to deposits on the shaft.
  
  A controlled axial pulling motion can help clear this blockage.

• Why can coking prevent extraction?

  Deposits can form between the glow plug and the socket.
  
  In that case, the thread may already be completely loose, but the glow plug shank is still held in place mechanically by the deposits.

• Should the engine be warm or cold?

  The recommended procedure may vary depending on the engine, cylinder head material, and manufacturer's specifications.
  
  The relevant repair information provided by the vehicle or engine manufacturer is decisive.

• Should rust remover or another product be used?

  It's not a one-size-fits-all situation.
  
  Whether a specific additive can be used—and which one—depends on the engine, glow plug, cylinder head, and the manufacturer's specifications.
  
  In addition, unsuitable fluids can end up in areas where they are not intended to be.

• What happens if a glow plug breaks off while being removed?

  In that case, parts of the glow plug may remain in the cylinder head.
  
  If this happens, a different repair method or a special drilling-out or extraction tool is required.
  
  The GAN system is primarily designed to assist in the controlled removal of a glow plug that can still be grasped.

• Is GAN 01 a tool for removing broken glow plugs?

  No.

  The GAN series is a tool for turning out and extracting stuck glow plugs.

  It should not be described as a universal repair system for glow plugs that have already been completely torn off.

• Can GAN 01 repair a damaged glow plug thread?

  No.
  
  The tool is used for removal.
  
  A damaged thread in the cylinder head will then require a separate assessment or repair.

• Can GAN 01 be used in all diesel engines?

  No.
  
  The key factors are, in particular, the socket size of the glow plug, as well as accessibility and the engine's design.
  
  The individual tools are designed for SW 8, SW 9, and SW 10, respectively.

• Is the GAN 01 also a glow plug tester?

  No.

  GAN 01 is a mechanical removal tool.

  A glow plug tester, on the other hand, is used to check the electrical or functional properties of a glow plug.

  These are two completely different procedures.

• Should a glow plug be tested for electrical function before removal?

  If the reason for the removal is a malfunction in the preheating system, an electrical diagnosis may be helpful.

  This allows you to check, if necessary, whether the glow plug or another part of the preheating system is actually faulty.

  Glow plug testers are available for this task.

• Can an error code definitively prove that a glow plug is defective?

  Not necessarily.

  Depending on the vehicle, a fault in the preheating system may also be related to:

  • wiring,
  • a connector,
  • the control module or preheating timer,
  • or the power supply.

  A targeted electrical inspection may therefore be advisable.

  A targeted electrical inspection may therefore be advisable.

• What should be checked after removing a stuck spark plug?

  Depending on the findings, the glow plug, housing, and threads, among other components, should be inspected for:

  • deposits,
  • damage,
  • thread issues,
  • and other abnormalities

  The next steps should follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• Can a new glow plug be installed using any torque setting?

  No.
  
  During installation, the tightening torque specified by the glow plug or vehicle manufacturer must be observed.
  
  Excessive or insufficient tightening torque can lead to problems.

• What kind of equipment is recommended for a multi-brand auto repair shop?

  If you regularly service diesel vehicles from different manufacturers, we would recommend the GAN-Set 01_LR.

  This set includes SW 8, SW 9, and SW 10, as well as an impact weight and a screw-on guide.

  For electrical diagnostics, a glow plug tester is a useful addition to the mechanical equipment.

  You can find additional testing and service equipment under Testing, Diagnostic, and Service Equipment for Internal Combustion Engines.