Failing Glow Plugs Plague Insignia, Help Needed!

Hey there, I had very similar issues with my 2012 Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi last winter. The symptoms you're describing match my experience exactly, the constant glow plug light, black smoke, and difficult cold starts were a real pain. Took it to my trusted mechanic, and it turned out two of my glow plugs were completely worn out, while another was on its way out. They needed to replace all four glow plugs since they recommended doing them as a set. The job also involved cleaning the glow plug chambers as there was some carbon buildup. It was definitely a serious issue that needed immediate attention, running with faulty glow plugs can cause further engine damage and horrible fuel consumption, just like you're experiencing. The DPF issues are likely connected because incomplete combustion from bad glow plugs leads to more soot production. After the fix, the car started like new, even in cold weather, and my fuel economy went back to normal. Worth noting that the mechanic also had to use diagnostics to reset the glow plug control module. Hope this helps with your decision. Don't put it off too long, these symptoms usually just get worse.

Thanks that sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with! The symptoms match up perfectly. My car's behaving just like yours did. Good to hear you got it sorted. Do you remember roughly how much the whole job set you back? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you had any other issues pop up? I'm thinking I should probably get it looked at sooner rather than later.

Hey again! Just wanted to update you, yeah, I got it all sorted out at my mechanic's. The total came to 560€, which covered replacing the defective glow plug that was worn out. Worth every penny if you ask me! Since getting it fixed, my Astra's been running like a dream, no more black smoke, starts up perfectly even on those chilly mornings, and the fuel consumption is back to normal. Honestly, it's like having a different car! The glow plug light issue hasn't come back either, which is a massive relief. You're definitely right about getting it checked out soon. Mine's been trouble-free for months now since the repair, but I remember how quickly things went downhill when I first noticed the symptoms. Better to sort it before it potentially causes any other problems. Trust me, once you get those glow plugs sorted, you'll notice the difference straight away. The peace of mind alone is worth it! Let me know how you get on with yours!

Thanks for all the info! Just wanted to update you on what happened with my Insignia. Finally took it to a mechanic last week, a place called AutoTech that my neighbor recommended. Turned out you were spot on! They found three faulty glow plugs and replaced all four as a set. The total came to 620€, which included cleaning out the chambers and resetting the control module. What a difference it's made! The car starts like a dream now, even on these cold mornings. No more black smoke, and my fuel consumption has dropped back to normal. The DPF's working properly again too. Can't believe I waited so long to get it fixed! The mechanic was great, really took the time to explain everything and show me the old plugs. Definitely keeping them for future repairs. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the decision to get it sorted. Best money I've spent on the car in ages!