[Vwdiesel] Glow plugs

[Sandy Cameron]

I don't take out the injectors, or remove the lines (if it aint broke, don't
disturb it).
I have a long 8mm wrench that I tie a string to (to retrieve when dropped). 
I use a bit of coathanger wire with the end bent 90o to catch the nut as it
comes off, and to hold it when fiddling it back on with a screwdriver. This
agony is only required on 1 and 2. 3 and 4 can be removed with a 1/4" drive
socket set and extensions.
I think even with the fiddling on 1 and 2, I can do it quicker than if I
removed the lines, bled them after reinstallation, new heat shields, etc.

Likewise, 3 and 4 can be removed with a deep 12 mm socket.

When the bus bar is removed, and before the plugs are removed, each can be
checked to se if it will draw the requisite 12 amps. Change the ones that don't.

I have an old 60 amp delco ammeter that I have equipped with heavy wires and
clips so I can check the whole bunch before disconnecting. a full set will
draw a full 60 amps plus at first, dropping to about 58 when warm. The same
meter will tell if individual plugs are open after the bus bar is removed.

On both my cars, I have deleted the bus bar, and run a #12 solid wire from
each plug, up to a point just above the injection lines, and joined them all
together with a bolt and nut, along with the feed wire from the fuse, taped
the joint, and tied them to the injection lines with a nylon cable tie. This
lets me easily check the plugs in future without excessive gymnastics
removing that #@$^% bus bar. This is also a neat place to connect the lamp
on the dash that "proves" the glow plugs are getting power, and how long.

If Volkswagen ever listened to their owner base, many of these things might
have been incorporated into the cars. On the other hand, there's the
conspiracy theory that Volks guarantees lots of service income to it's
dealers. (one finger salute here) :-)

Sandy