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Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 0h30–1h30 ~50–150£
Estimated time 0h30–1h30
Estimated labour cost ~50–150£
Difficulty Intermediate
Vehicles
Astra K 2016-2022 8
  • 1.5 Turbo Diesel (F15DVC (LXD+PL5))
  • 1.6 CDTi Diesel (B16DTE (LWQ))
  • 1.6 CDTi Diesel (B16DTH (LVL))
  • 1.6 CDTi Diesel (B16DTR (LVK))
  • 1.6 CDTi Diesel (B16DTU (LWV))
  • 1.6 CDTi Diesel (D16DTI (LXO))
  • 1.6 CDTi Diesel (D16DTR (LVK))
  • 1.6 Turbo Diesel (D16DTH (LVL))
Astra Mk III (F) 1992-2001 3
  • 1.7 D Diesel (17D)
  • 1.7 D Diesel (17DR)
  • 1.7 TD Diesel (TC4EE1 (17DT))
Astra Mk IV (G) 1998-2007 7
  • 1.7 CDTi 16V Diesel (Z17DTL)
  • 1.7 DTi 16V Diesel (Y17DT)
  • 1.7 DTi Diesel (X17DTL)
  • 2.0 Di 16V Diesel (X20DTL)
  • 2.0 Di 16V Diesel (Y20DTL)
  • 2.0 DTi 16V Diesel (Y20DTH)
  • 2.2 DTi 16V Diesel (Y22DTR)
Astra Mk V (H) 2004-2012 11
  • 1.3 CDTi 16V (DPF) Diesel (Z13DTH)
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTJ (LPV))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTR)
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (Z17DTH)
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (Z17DTJ)
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (Z17DTL)
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (Z17DTR)
  • 1.9 CDTi 16V Diesel (Z19DTH)
  • 1.9 CDTi 16V Diesel (Z19DTJ)
  • 1.9 CDTi 8V Diesel (Z19DT)
  • 1.9 CDTi 8V Diesel (Z19DTL)
Astra Mk VI (J) 2010-2018 11
  • 1.3 CDTi Diesel (A13DTE (LSF))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTC (LUE))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTE (LKR))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTF (LKR+PL1))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTJ (LPV))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTN (LUE))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTR (LPL))
  • 1.7 CDTi Diesel (A17DTS (LUD))
  • 2.0 CDTi (GTC) Diesel (A20DTH (LBS))
  • 2.0 CDTi Diesel (A20DTH (LBS))
  • 2.0 CDTi Diesel (A20DTR (LBY))

What is the role of Vauxhall Astra 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 Vauxhall Astra 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 Vauxhall Astra 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 Vauxhall Astra 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).

5 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
Astra K 2016-2022 2016-2022 1.0 12V Petrol (B10XFL (LE1)), 1.0 12V Petrol (D10XFL (LE1)), 1.2 Turbo Petrol (F12SHL (LIH)), 1.2 Turbo Petrol (F12SHR (LIH)), 1.2 Turbo Petrol (F12SHT (LIH)), 1.4 16V Petrol (B14XE (LV7)), 1.4 Turbo Petrol (B14XFL (LE2+PL5)), 1.4 Turbo Petrol (B14XFT (LE2)), 1.4 Turbo Petrol (… Diesel, Petrol
Astra Mk III (F) 1992-2001 1992-2001 1.4i 16V Petrol (X14XE), 1.4i Petrol (14SE), 1.4i Petrol (C14NZ), 1.4i Petrol (X14NZ), 1.4S Petrol (14NV), 1.4Si Petrol (C14SE), 1.6i 16V Petrol (X16XEL), 1.6i Petrol (16LZ2), 1.6i Petrol (16NZR), 1.6i Petrol (C16NZ), 1.6i Petrol (X16SZ), 1.6i Petrol (X16SZR), 1.6S Petrol (16SV)… Diesel, Petrol
Astra Mk IV (G) 1998-2007 1998-2007 1.2 16V Petrol (X12XE), 1.2 16V Petrol (Z12XE), 1.4 16V Petrol (X14XE), 1.4 16V Petrol (Z14XE), 1.4 16V Petrol (Z14XEP), 1.6 16V CNG CNG,Petrol (Z16YNG), 1.6 16V Petrol (X16SZR), 1.6 16V Petrol (X16XEL), 1.6 16V Petrol (Z16XEP), 1.6 16V, -LPG LPG,Petrol (Z16XE), 1.6, -LPG LPG,Pe… CNG, Diesel, LPG, Petrol
Astra Mk V (H) 2004-2012 2004-2012 1.2 16V Petrol (Z12XEP), 1.3 CDTi 16V (DPF) Diesel (Z13DTH), 1.4 16V Petrol (Z14XEL), 1.4 16V, -LPG LPG,Petrol (Z14XEP), 1.6 16V Petrol (A16LET (LLU)), 1.6 16V Petrol (A16XER (LDE)), 1.6 16V Petrol (Z16LET), 1.6 16V Petrol (Z16XE1), 1.6 16V Petrol (Z16XEP), 1.6 16V, -LPG LPG,Pet… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
Astra Mk VI (J) 2010-2018 2010-2018 1.3 CDTi Diesel (A13DTE (LSF)), 1.4 16V Turbo Petrol (A14NEI (LUV)), 1.4 16V Turbo Petrol (A14NEL (LUJ)), 1.4 16V Turbo Petrol (B14XER (LDD)), 1.4 16V Turbo, -LPG LPG,Petrol (A14NET (LUJ)), 1.4 16V Turbo, -LPG LPG,Petrol (B14NEL (LUJ)), 1.4 16V Turbo, -LPG LPG,Petrol (B14NET (LU… Diesel, LPG, Petrol