Glow plugs

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

I have searched this forum and can't find anything much about glow plugs.

Can anyone please enlighten me about them?

When buying glow plugs is there anything special I need to ask for? (KZJ120R-GKPETQ motor)

What brand are the best?

I expect it takes four plugs?

Where are they positioned?

Are they a DIY replacement?

Can anyone please explain the procedure to change them?

Thanks in advance. 8)

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Glow plugs

When buying glow plugs is there anything special I need to ask for? (KZJ120R-GKPETQ motor)

No, just tell them it's a 1kz-te. If going to a Toyota dealer you'll need your VIN number.. the goons there can't seem to find anything without it

What brand are the best?

I've heard nothing bad about the aftermarket ones. They come up occasionlly on Ebay. Toyota ones are good but I assume more expensive. However call around, sometimes Toyota surprise me on price

I expect it takes four plugs?

Yes

Where are they positioned?

Passenger side of engine in the head, above the intake manifold. They are all joined together electrically by a insulated "buzz bar"

Are they a DIY replacement?

Yes, with some basic mechanical knowledge

Can anyone please explain the procedure to change them?

What makes you think they need changing? Have you got starting issues? I can write something up tomorrow with a pic or two if you really need it

Mick

[Prado04 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado04]

Re: Glow plugs

I had what i though was a dead glow plug, hard to start in cold weather and rough idle on cold start like a really lumpy cam. Took it into Toyota and they said it most likely that it is not the glow plugs as they never die so they replaced the air and fuel filter and it never had a problem again.

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: Glow plugs

Seeing the car had 55,000k on it when I bought it, I thought I would just be sure and replace the plugs, filters and grease a few nipples.

I feel more comfortable knowing that, if I replace everything I should not have any problems.

I believe I have the ability to do it, it's just a matter of knowing how?

I welcome your help with the instructions a picture or two. 8)

EDIT: I found a manual on the web http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/manuals/1KZ-TE/

It's helpful, however, it tells me to see page EM - 44 to remove the air intake pipe. I can't find page EM-44 seems it's missing?

How do I get access to the two rear plugs please?

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Glow plugs

No need to change the glow plugs at 55,000 k !! they'll last well over 150,000k+. They are not a service item, you only need to change tham if there are starting issues or a fault.

Mick

[Duff Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duff]

Re: Glow plugs

No need to change the glow plugs at 55,000 k !! they'll last well over 150,000k+. They are not a service item, you only need to change tham if there are starting issues or a fault.

Mick

Thats it Mick, they used to fail a bit more on the older oilers but these days its pretty rare, maybe in colder climates.

My brother has a 1kz in his hilux, blew a fuse for something else while on holiday and swapped it for the glow fuse then drove the car every day like that for about 6 months, just took a few seconds more to fire.

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: Glow plugs

OK, i won't bother changing them. The wife asked me about the car blowing black smoke and I had read that it could be the glow plugs.

Anyway, I just asked the wife why she mentioned it, she said a friend told her that Prado's blow black smoke, bloody women!

I asked the local Toyota dealer for a quote to change the plugs'

Is a quote of $555.00 the norm for this?

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: Glow plugs

Giving this some thought, I think I will buy a set of glow plugs just in case I need them.

I have tried the local Repco shop and they don't sell plugs for the Prado.

If I ever have a problem with the plugs already in the vehicle, at least I will NOT have to pay $555.00 to the local dealer.

Living in Rural SA does have it's disadvantages when trying to buy parts.

Anyone know where to buy these online? Please!

[Duff Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duff]

Re: Glow plugs

I have brought stuff from this guy before, pretty helpful.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TOYOTA-SURF-GLOW ... dZViewItem

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: Glow plugs

I have brought stuff from this guy before, pretty helpful.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TOYOTA-SURF-GLOW ... dZViewItem

Thanks, I have sent him an email.

Now, all I need to know is when/if the time comes, how to install them?

[droggy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close droggy]

Re: Glow plugs

hey oldsalt you are wasting your time and money. The glow plugs are only to heat the engine when cold,we get 400K plus kms before they fail.They will not stop black smoke, that is a different story

[Duff Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duff]

Re: Glow plugs

I had them out of my brothers surf after a failed river crossing and had to remove the engine crossover pipe/throttle body from memory, I got them out with only a hadfull of cheap tools. The rear one was a pig to get to with the tools I had. The prados have a intercooler up top too so it will be a little more involved but not too serious.

Id say you will probally never need to use them anyway, just peace of mind.

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: Glow plugs

Id say you will probably never need to use them anyway, just peace of mind.

Yea, dead right, I can afford to pay the asking price of $555.00, however, I dislike the bloke who owns the dealership and he is very well known as being over the top with his prices. :evil:

His attitude is, if you don't like it go to Adelaide. :evil:

My attitude is, he is not going to rip me off. :wink:

He once told me that if I bought a Toyota from Adelaide, he would not service it, that's why I bought it in Adelaide.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Glow plugs

This picture shows the glow plug for no1


You can see the insulated buzz bar (flat strip of steel with black plastic coating). The plastic cap on top of the glow plug is to insulate the nut.

To get to all four glow plugs you need to remove the intercooler.

Remove the insulators, nuts and buzz bar. The glow plugs simply screw into the head.

Glow plugs are just a heater element, they either work or go open circuit and fail. No need to change them unless you have a starting issue and even then only change the ones showing a fault.
Don't confuse them with spark plugs on petrol engines.

Save your money for something else.

Mick

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Glow plugs

It's helpful, however, it tells me to see page EM - 44 to remove the air intake pipe. I can't find page EM-44 seems it's missing?

This manual is for a Hilux which has no intercooler. The air intake pipe is the pipe that run from the turbo to the throttle body/intake manifold.

On the Prado 1kz-te you have to remove the intercooler.

Mick