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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
Leon I 1999-2006 5
  • 1.9 SDi Diesel (AQM)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AGR)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ARL)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (ASZ)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (AXR)
Leon II 2006-2013 13
  • 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYB)
  • 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYC)
  • 1.9 8V TDI (DPF) Diesel (BLS)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BKC)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BXE)
  • 1.9 TDI Diesel (BXF)
  • 2.0 8V TDI DPF Diesel (BMM)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CEGA)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CFHC)
  • 2.0 CR TDI Diesel (CFJA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (AZV)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (BKD)
  • 2.0 TDI DPF Diesel (BMN)
Leon III 2013-2020 20
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHA)
  • 1.6 TDI Diesel (CLHB)
  • 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 (CKFC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRBC)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRLD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CRMB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CUNA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (CUPA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DCYA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DFFA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DFGA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DJGA)
Leon IV 2020-2025 5
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSTB)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSUD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRD)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTA)
  • 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTC)

What is the role of Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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 Seat Leon 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).

4 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
Leon I 1999-2006 1999-2006 1.4 16V Petrol (AHW), 1.4 16V Petrol (AXP), 1.4 16V Petrol (BCA), 1.6 16V Petrol (AUS), 1.6 16V Petrol (AZD), 1.6 16V Petrol (BCB), 1.6 8V Petrol (BFQ), 1.6 Petrol (APF), 1.8 20V Petrol (APG), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (AJQ), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (APP), 1.8 20V Turbo Petrol (ARY), 1.… Diesel, Petrol
Leon II 2006-2013 2006-2013 1.2 TSI Petrol (CBZB), 1.4 Petrol (BXW), 1.4 Petrol (CGGB), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CAXC), 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYB), 1.6 CR TDI Diesel (CAYC), 1.6 LPG LPG,Petrol (CHGA), 1.6 MultiFuel Bioethanol (E85),Petrol (CMXA), 1.6 Petrol (BSE), 1.6 Petrol (CCSA), 1.8 TFSI Petrol (BZB), 1.8 TSI Pet… Bioethanol (E85), Diesel, LPG, Petrol
Leon III 2013-2020 2013-2020 1.0 TSI Petrol (CHZD), 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 TGI CNG CNG,Petrol (CPWA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CHPA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CMBA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CXSA), 1.4 TSI Petrol (CZ… CNG, Diesel, Petrol
Leon IV 2020-2025 2020-2025 1.0 TSI Petrol (DLAB), 1.0 TSI, -e Petrol (DLAA), 1.5 eTSI 48V (MHEV),Petrol (DFYA), 1.5 TSI Petrol (DPBA), 1.5 TSI Petrol (DPCA), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSTB), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DSUD), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTRD), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTA), 2.0 TDI Diesel (DTTC), 2.0 TFSI Petrol (DNFB), 2.0 TFSI … 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol