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Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 0h45–2h00 ~75–200£
Estimated time 0h45–2h00
Estimated labour cost ~75–200£
Difficulty Intermediate
Vehicles
Golf Mk5 2003-2010 14
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BJB)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BKC)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BRU)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BXE)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BXF)
  • 1.9 TDI DPF Diesel (BLS)
  • 1.9 TDI DPF Diesel (BXJ)
  • 2.0 16V TDI Diesel (AZV)
  • 2.0 16V TDI Diesel (BKD)
  • 2.0 16V TDI DPF Diesel (BMN)
  • 2.0 8V SDi Diesel (BDK)
  • 2.0 8V TDI DPF Diesel (BMM)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CBDA)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CBDB)
Golf Mk6 2009-2013 14
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CAYC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBAA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBAB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBDA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBDB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CBDC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFFA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFFB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFHB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CFHC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CJAA)
  • GTD (2.0 TDI) Diesel (CBBB)
  • GTD (2.0 TDI) Diesel (CFGB)
Golf Mk7 2013-2021 27
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CRKA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CRKB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CXXA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CXXB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DBKA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DDYA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DDYB)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (DGTE)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRGA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRVA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRVC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CYKB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DCYA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DCYB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DEJA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DEJB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DFGA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DFGB)
  • GTD (2.0 TDI) Diesel (CUNA)
  • GTD (2.0 TDI) Diesel (DGCA)
  • GTD (2.0 TDI) Diesel (DJGA)
Golf Mk8 2020-2025 8
  • 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Diesel (DSRB)
  • 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Diesel (DSUD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTSA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTSB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTC)
  • 2.0 TDI, -GTD Diesel (DTUA)
Golf MkIII 1991-1998 7
  • 1.9 D Diesel (1Y)
  • 1.9 SDi Diesel (AEY)
  • 1.9 TD Diesel (AAZ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (1Z)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AFN)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AHU)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ALE)
Golf MkIV 1997-2007 12
  • 1.9 SDi Diesel (AGP)
  • 1.9 SDi Diesel (AQM)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AGR)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AHF)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AJM)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ALH)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ARL)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASV)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASZ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ATD)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AUY)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AXR)
Renew all the glow plugs With diesel particulate filter 2h00
Renew all the glow plugs Without diesel particulate filter 1h30

What is the role of Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf 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 Volkswagen Golf 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).

8 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
Golf Mk5 2003-2010 2003-2010 1.4 FSi Petrol (BKG), 1.4 FSi Petrol (BLN), 1.4 Petrol (BCA), 1.4 Petrol (BUD), 1.4 TSI GT Petrol (BLG), 1.4 TSI Petrol (BMY), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CAVD), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CAXA), 1.6 16V FSi Petrol (BAG), 1.6 16V FSi Petrol (BLF), 1.6 16V FSi Petrol (BLP), 1.6 8V Multifuel Bioethanol … Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, Petrol
Golf Mk6 2009-2013 2009-2013 1.2 TSI Petrol (CBZA), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CBZB), 1.4 Petrol (CGGA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CAVD), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CAXA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CTHD), 1.6 Bi-Fuel (LPG) LPG,Petrol (CHGA), 1.6 MPi Petrol (BSE), 1.6 MultiFuel Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (CMXA), 1.6 MultiFuel Petrol (CCSA), 1.6 TDI Die… Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, LPG, Petrol
Golf Mk7 2013-2021 2013-2021 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZC), 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZD), 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZK), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKLB), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DKRF), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CJZA), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CJZB), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CYVA), 1.2 TSI Petrol (CYVB), 1.4 TSI ACT Petrol (CPTA), 1.4 TSI ACT Petrol (CZEA), 1.4 TSI CNG CNG,Pe… Bioethanol (E85), CNG, Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
Golf Mk8 2020-2025 2020-2025 1.0 eTSI Petrol (DLAA), 1.0 TSI Petrol (DLAB), 1.5 eTSI Petrol (DFYA), 1.5 TGI CNG,Petrol (DHFA), 1.5 TSI Petrol (DPBA), 1.5 TSI Petrol (DPCA), 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Diesel (DSRB), 2.0 TDi BlueMotion Diesel (DSUD), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRB), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRD), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTSA)… CNG, Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
Golf MkI 1974-1984 1974-1984 1.1 Petrol (FA), 1.1 Petrol (FJ), 1.1 Petrol (GG), 1.3 Petrol (GF), 1.5 D Diesel (CK), 1.5 Petrol (FH), 1.5 Petrol (JB), 1.6 D Diesel (CR), 1.6 D Diesel (JK), 1.6 GTi 8V Petrol (EG), 1.6 Petrol (EM), 1.6 Petrol (EW), 1.6 Petrol (FP), 1.6 TD Diesel (CY), 1.8 Petrol (DX), 1.8 Petr… Diesel, Petrol
Golf MkII 1983-1993 1983-1993 1.0 Petrol (GN), 1.0 Petrol (HZ), 1.3 Petrol (2G), 1.3 Petrol (GT), 1.3 Petrol (HK), 1.3 Petrol (HW), 1.3 Petrol (MH), 1.3 Petrol (NU), 1.3 Petrol (NZ), 1.6 D Diesel (ME), 1.6 Kat. Petrol (EZA), 1.6 Kat. Petrol (RF), 1.6 Petrol (ABN), 1.6 Petrol (EZ), 1.6 Petrol (HM), 1.6 Petrol… Diesel, Petrol
Golf MkIII 1991-1998 1991-1998 1.4 (40/44 kW) Petrol (ABD), 1.4 (40/44 kW) Petrol (AEX), 1.4 (40/44 kW) Petrol (APQ), 1.6 Petrol (ABU), 1.6 Petrol (AEA), 1.6 Petrol (AEE), 1.6 Petrol (AEK), 1.6 Petrol (AFT), 1.6 Petrol (AKS), 1.8 Petrol (AAM), 1.8 Petrol (ABS), 1.8 Petrol (ACC), 1.8 Petrol (ADZ), 1.8 Petrol (… Diesel, Petrol
Golf MkIV 1997-2007 1997-2007 1.4 Petrol (AHW), 1.4 Petrol (AKQ), 1.4 Petrol (APE), 1.4 Petrol (AXP), 1.4 Petrol (BCA), 1.6 16V Petrol (ATN), 1.6 16V Petrol (AUS), 1.6 16V Petrol (AZD), 1.6 16V Petrol (BAD), 1.6 16V Petrol (BCB), 1.6 8V Petrol (AEH), 1.6 8V Petrol (AKL), 1.6 8V Petrol (APF), 1.6 8V Petrol (A… CNG, Diesel, Petrol