Glow plug connector boots perished and broken.

[palwing]

Hi. The list goes on with my 2005 D5 XC70 auto, but as it’s only done 114,000 miles and is in excellent condition so worth persevering with for now.

However, it has been reluctant to start recently. I managed to check the glow plug resistances yesterday and they are all U/S. 4 were reading kilohms resistance and the last one was open cct. So, I have 5 new ones on order from flea bay, as you do. Plus an 8mm special socket of course. Will have a go at replacing them when rxd and health allows.

However, to check them, it required the pulling off of the rubber boot connector to expose the pin to check the resistances. Everyone of the rubber boots was perished and hard, resulting in them coming apart half way up. Must be due to heat and age over time. They are invariably in 2 pieces now.

This must be a common problem. Question is, is it worth trying to bodge a repair with some sort of tape or similar? Guessing heat might be an issue with tape too. Or is it a case of smearing some heat resistant grease on them to try and stop corrosion in the future? Or of course, just leave them as they are in 2 pieces?

[Willow place]

Mine have mostly disappeared ! Never noticed any corrosion .

[palwing]

Thanks Willow place, that’s reassuring. I won’t worry too much if they are left exposed. Regards.

[palwing]

5 cheap glow plugs arrived today. Only £15.99 inc p&p off flea bay. All 11v and measured less than 1 ohm resistance each. A lot better than the old ones, which were kilohms and one was open cct. Sprayed the old ones with WD40 and they came out Ok, but I was very gentle when first trying to undo them in case they were seized.

Job took less than 30 minutes, but has knackered me out for the day due to my state of health. At least I now have a car that starts, to get me to hospital in an emergency if needed. With no garages open to do the job, I have had to bite the bullet and do it myself.