XSeries-forum

I have a 2004 E53 X5 - 2 of the glow plugs are showing up as problematic on the scanner (starting is aloittle sluggish)

IS this an easy job for an amateur - I've done spark plugs before but never glow plugs

Only two are showing up on the sanner - how many are there and should they all be done - mileage is 115k and they've never been changed since I got the car at 72k

Thanks Smee

3-litre diesel in which case it's a straight six engine with one plug per cylinder. Isn't it always the way! First signs of cold weather and out come all the gremlins to play - Glowplugs, door locks, batteries.......

easy to do ? Expensive ?

Smee

Fiddly, and I think they're of the order of £50 a pop (i'm not 100% on that though, and that may be the OEM price). Never changed mine as I only got to 53k with the E53.

Have a look here: http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?1/04/94/95

Did this a while back and the glow plugs were £18.59 each before vat and there are 6 as X5Sport said. Not the easiest of jobs this one as the inlet manifold has to come of iirc.
Dont think i did a how to on this but may have some pics to help amongst my threads.

Here ya go viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1106&hilit=+glow+plugs

BTW worth replacing them all as it's quite labour intensive to get them done

yes just worked out that it was worth having all done if inlet manifold has to come off !!

thanks

Smee

Mine need doing too... Shopping list is getting longer

Jason's lot did mine, all six ( five were showing faulty via INPA ) when he did the injectors. It started fine before, but better after. Def worth doing.

You done yours yet Sanj?


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Had the same only after a week of buying the car, a warning about injectors came up on the dash. Took it back obviously, but I didn't fell anything different in throttle response and starting the car once the warning light came up. Made me wonder that if it was out of warranty, would I have changed them?

Quote from trusted local (non bmw) garage

£64 plus for glowplugs.
Labour five hours - £187.50 plus vat

Basically £250 plus vat

Anything else I should get done at same time ?

Smee

5 hours!!!!

All mine except no 4 are showing on BMW scanner along with the glow plug control unit.... Bugger

I'd get them independently checked first. I've seen other posts here suggesting they needed replaced when they didn't. I'm no expert but if you have five out of six not working plus the control unit then you would struggle at the very least to start it if not impossible. Are you having problems starting ?

Nope no problems at all but it hasn't really been that cold yet.