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Changed the glow plug controller and plugs today

Discuss anything to do with the (E83) BMW X3 here
(Older F25 discussion within will ideally to be moved to F25 Sub section below)
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XK8
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Location: Garden of England

Changed the glow plug controller and plugs today

Post by XK8 » Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:57 pm

Is anyone is thinking of carrying this out now the cold mornings are showing up any glow plug problems?
I had five glow plug errors and a controller error on one plug, so I bit the bullet and changed everything! It's a totally doable diy job, but very fiddly, there are lots of layers to take off before you reach the glow plugs. Both air boxes, air intake manifold etc. I also had to disconnect the coolant hose from the cylinder head to get the controller out. Lots of generic videos on you tube for E60 cars to give the general gist. There are tales of this taking two hours, I would pay good money to watch someone take two hours on the 3.0sd like mine, more like four-five, but I'm methodical. All faults cleared and run for 20mls to checkout any issues, thankfully there were none. I'm happy to offer any advise if anyone need some help or encouragement. Cheers.Image
Current Garage
2007 BMW X3 3.0sd M-Sport
2004 Jaguar XK8
2010 BMW 330i coupe
1978 Yamaha XT500

jagr
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Location: Cheshire

Re: Changed the glow plug controller and plugs today

Post by jagr » Fri Nov 04, 2016 12:32 am

It's very pleasing when you know it's been done. I much prefer to do things on my cars as you say may take longer but at least you know it has actually been completed.

Did you check/remove swirl flaps while you had the inlet manifold off?
2011 BMW X3 30d M Sport

XK8
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Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2016 3:57 pm
Location: Garden of England

Re: Changed the glow plug controller and plugs today

Post by XK8 » Fri Nov 04, 2016 5:08 pm

Hey, yes all done along with the two thermostats around May/June of this year. No fault codes on the glow plugs or I could have done the whole caboodle in one go, oh well. Idle hands and all that. Next job will be fitting the winter wheels and putting the XK8 to bed for its winter hibernation.
Current Garage
2007 BMW X3 3.0sd M-Sport
2004 Jaguar XK8
2010 BMW 330i coupe
1978 Yamaha XT500

jagr
Member
Member
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:08 am
Location: Cheshire

Re: Changed the glow plug controller and plugs today

Post by jagr » Fri Nov 04, 2016 9:40 pm

[quote="XK8"]
Next job will be fitting the winter wheels and putting the XK8 to bed for its winter hibernation.
[/quote]

Same here, just taken my Corvette out for probably the last time until Spring.
Will be checking my winters over the weekend but not fitting them quite yet.
2011 BMW X3 30d M Sport

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