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Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 0h45–1h30 ~75–150£
Estimated time 0h45–1h30
Estimated labour cost ~75–150£
Difficulty Intermediate
Vehicles
Corolla 1987-1994 1
  • 1.8 D Diesel (1C)
Corolla 1997-2003 2
  • 1.9 D Diesel (1WZ)
  • 2.0 D4-D Diesel (1CD-FTV)
Corolla 2001-2007 4
  • 1.4 D4-D Diesel (1ND-TV)
  • 2.0 D4-D 110 Diesel (1CD-FTV)
  • 2.0 D4-D 116 Diesel (1CD-FTV)
  • 2.0 D4-D 90 Diesel (1CD-FTV)
Corolla 2007-2014 2
  • 1.4 D-4D Diesel (1ND-TV)
  • 2.0 D Diesel (1AD-FTV)

What is the role of Toyota Corolla glow plugs?

Glow plugs are used in diesel engines to preheat the combustion chamber before starting, particularly in cold weather. Unlike petrol engines that use spark plugs to ignite the fuel, diesel engines rely on compression ignition. Modern glow plugs also remain active after starting to reduce emissions and noise during the warm-up phase.

When should you change your Toyota Corolla glow plugs?

Generally, glow plugs last between 80,000 and 160,000 km. Symptoms of failing glow plugs include: difficulty starting in cold weather, white or grey exhaust smoke on start-up, rough idle during warm-up, the glow plug warning light remaining illuminated, and increased fuel consumption.

How do I know if the Toyota Corolla glow plugs need changing?

Via the EOBD diagnostic system, faulty glow plugs will trigger fault codes (typically P0380–P0384 for glow plug circuit faults). Individual glow plug resistance can be measured with a multimeter (typically 0.5–2 ohms for a good plug).

Is it difficult to change Toyota Corolla glow plugs?

Difficulty level 3/5: intermediate. Glow plugs can seize in the cylinder head over time due to heat and corrosion, making removal difficult and risking breakage. Key steps: warm the engine first, apply penetrating oil, use the correct glow plug socket, unscrew carefully (do not force — a broken glow plug requires specialist extraction).

10 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
Corolla 1974-1981 1974-1981 1.2 Petrol (3K) Petrol
Corolla 1979-1985 1979-1985 1.3 Petrol (4K-C), 1.6 Petrol (2T), 1.6 Petrol (2T-B), 1.6 Petrol (2T-G) Petrol
Corolla 1983-1989 1983-1989 1.3 Electric Carb. Petrol (2E-LU), 1.6 16V Petrol (4A-GE), 1.6 Petrol (4A-L) Petrol
Corolla 1987-1994 1987-1994 1.3 Petrol (2E), 1.3i 12V Petrol (2E-E), 1.6 EFi Petrol (4A-GE), 1.6 EFi Petrol (4A-GE), 1.6 Petrol (4A-F), 1.6 Petrol (4A-F), 1.6i 16V Petrol (4A-FE), 1.8 D Diesel (1C) Diesel, Petrol
Corolla 1991-1999 1991-1999 1.3 16V Petrol (4E-FE), 1.3 16V Petrol (4E-FE), 1.6 16V DOHC Petrol (4A-FE), 1.6 DOHC 16V Petrol (4A-FE), 1.8 16V DOHC Petrol (7A-FE) Petrol
Corolla 1997-2003 1997-2003 1.3 16V Petrol (4E-FE), 1.4 VVT-i Petrol (4ZZ-FE), 1.6 16V Petrol (4A-FE), 1.6 VVT-i Petrol (3ZZ-FE), 1.8 16V Petrol (7A-FE), 1.9 D Diesel (1WZ), 2.0 D4-D Diesel (1CD-FTV) Diesel, Petrol
Corolla 2001-2007 2001-2007 1.4 D4-D Diesel (1ND-TV), 1.4 VVT-i Petrol (4ZZ-FE), 1.6 VVT-i Petrol (3ZZ-FE), 1.8 VVT-i Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (1ZZ-FE), 1.8 VVTL-i Compressor Petrol (2ZZ-GE), 1.8 VVTL-i Compressor Petrol (2ZZ-GE), 1.8 VVTL-i Petrol (2ZZ-GE), 2.0 D4-D 110 Diesel (1CD-FTV), 2.0 D4-D 116 Diese… Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, Petrol
Corolla 2007-2014 2007-2014 1.4 D-4D Diesel (1ND-TV), 1.4 Petrol (4ZZ-FE), 1.6 Petrol (1ZR-FAE), 1.8 Petrol (2ZR-FE), 2.0 D Diesel (1AD-FTV) Diesel, Petrol
Corolla 2013-2019 2013-2019 1.6 Petrol (1ZR-FAE), 1.8 16V VVT-i Petrol (2ZR-FE) Petrol
Corolla 2019-2025 2019-2025 1.2 Turbo Petrol (8NR-FTS), 1.6 Petrol (1ZR-FAE), 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid Electricity,Petrol (2ZR-FXE), 2.0 VVT-i Hybrid Electricity,Petrol (M20A-FXS), 2.0 VVT-i Petrol (M20A-FKS), Hybrid 200 (2.0 VVT-i) Electricity,Petrol (M20A-FXS) Electricity, Petrol