Broken Glow Plug Tips - Diesel Forum

RugerNorth · 03-24-2005, 01:25 PM

I had posted earlier about a problem that sounded like a broken off vavle or stuck lifter (post title: Lot's of noise and a dead truck). It turns out that a glow had grenaded which left an opening into the cylinder. I figured it was a once in a lifetime problem but it happened two more time on the trip home.
This is going to come as a suprise to alot of you but <font color="red">they were all BERUs </font> I have since changed all of them with replacements from International (more BERUs). When I removed the old plugs I found three more missing the tips.

I have now driven about 100km since replacing the plugs and about 500km since the first failure.

Is it really nesscassray take the heads off to searce for broken peices.

I had a look at the pictures on Ziggy's site and I don't think I'm going sleep easily until I get some solution.

1988 F250
7.3lt IDI NA
3 speed auto tranny

pafixitman · 03-24-2005, 01:42 PM

You could try manually turning the engine until that cylinder is at TDC and then use a shop vac to suck it out. Since you have driven the truck, I would expect to find the pieces firmly planted in the top of the piston!

cdnsarguy · 03-24-2005, 02:28 PM

Have you had the timing checked yet, too advanced burns out GPs.

RugerNorth · 03-24-2005, 03:45 PM

Nope, I have'nt checked the timming.

I figure that should really be looked at.
I have no clue how to check or adjust the timing on a diesel.
Any tips or advice?

By the way a friend has access to a bore scope. Next week I'll pull the plugs and injectors and have a look. Any advice on the broken pieces? I'm trying hard to convince my self that they have departed the engine through the exhaust.

cdnsarguy · 03-24-2005, 07:34 PM

You may want to try retarding the timing 1/16" at a time and listen for less noise at idle.

The marks on the pump to housing are only accurate if it is the original pump from the factory. Turning the injection pump 1/16" to either side (measured at the pump to housing flange marks) that's about 4 deg. To pax side is advancing to drvrs side it retarding, engine off for all adjustments and tighten nuts on IP before start.

argve · 03-24-2005, 07:59 PM

Hat's off to Pete for calling me out.

Ok glow plug failure can be tracked back to timing (advanced too far) or a bad injector (pops off early - again advances timing). I would say have your timing checked and also get the injectors tested.

What happens is when the timing is too far advanced it creates undo pressure in the cylinder which just flat gives everything a butt whooping, first thing to die (historically) is the weakest link - glow plug tips. You can actually read about it on Beru's website if you want the deep techinical data - don't have the link handy but it used to be there in PDF format.

If you have run the engine already I would not worry about trying to get the pieces out whatever damage is do has already been done. If she's running good with no loud smacks or clangs I would say run 'er and enjoy. I suspect that at this point she's purring correct or do I need to freshen up on the other post? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif[/img]