HELP!! I need to get ZD-9 glow plugs!! - Diesel Forum

DanMans5.9CTD · 01-22-2008, 11:33 PM

The the Napa(Autolite?) glow plugs went out in our '91 SuperDuty tow truck last week and I refuse to pay any more for them than I have to!(Been using ether to start it the last couple days-cold here-and yes the block heater is always plugged in) I was doing a lot of searching on here about what the best type of glow plugs are and it's obvious the Motocraft ZD-9s are. However, we don't have an Autozone around here and Oreily's has them for $8.99 which ain't bad but still isn't $2.99! If someone here can still get them locally for $2.99 each then I will gladly reimburse you for the cost of a set+shipping.
Thank you, Daniel

91diesel · 01-22-2008, 11:43 PM

Sadly, Havent seen 2.99 claims for a while. It was a limited euphoric experience.

cdnsarguy · 01-22-2008, 11:45 PM

The $2.99 days are gone sorry to say........ $8.99 is still a good price, you can try an.........

IH Internation dealer for: IH 1819649C1

Beru/Motorcraft # ZD-9..... Ford part # F2TZ-12A342-A

DanMans5.9CTD · 01-22-2008, 11:50 PM

Alright, well thanks for the bad news.... lol

I'll just digging around or settle for 8 bux apiece...... that's better than 12 bux we paid for the last ones that lasted about 3 years.

A mechanic told my buddy that if we put a pan heater on it that it combined with the block heater would heat the block up enough that we wouldn't hardly need the glow plugs, is there any truth to this?

asauer · 01-23-2008, 03:02 AM

I highly doubt it. In Texas, maybe. Definitely not in Minot, ND. It is waaayy too cold up there for that.
No matter how hot you get the coolant AND oil, you still won't reach anywhere close to the same temperature in the combustion chamber as a glowplug.

Snotzalot · 01-23-2008, 06:09 AM

Those $8.99 Beru's will last for years.

cdnsarguy · 01-23-2008, 06:48 AM

If you use the Beru's, the block heater for 3 hours prior to starting and 10-30 oil it will start down to-40F every time. That is provided the starter, batteries and fuel system are up to scratch and you use the CORRECT starting sequence.

To start turn key on press fuel pedal to the floor, then if above 30*F hold at 1/2 throttle, if below 30*F hold at 3/4-full throttle start engine. Once started release the fuel pedal to the fast idle setting or feather pedal to keep running.

DanMans5.9CTD · 01-23-2008, 08:18 AM

I wasn't aware that there is a CORRECT starting procedure for these things.
It's been hovering between -5/-10 to 10 above at night for the last week around here. As for testing the glow plugs to find the failed ones, some quick searching the other night brought up the continuity light tester method. Removing the wires from the gps, hooking the the test light to the battery and touching the top of each injector and see if the light lights up. Is this a fairly accurate method?

Any other opinions/facts on the pan heater theory? I do understand that a pan heater is gonna get the oil warm along with the block but I'm doubting it's ability to get the combustion chamber hot enough to fire without the gps.

dakotajeep · 01-23-2008, 09:43 AM

Are you from the AF base? Or a native?

GoodLuck
THad

DanMans5.9CTD · 01-23-2008, 06:53 PM

Nope, not a baser. Native. Born and raised on a farm and been married for close to 4 years with an awesome 1 year old boy. We live on the edge of town and I work at Northern Bottling full-time. I'm co-owner of D & D Towing & Recovery and do my part when I can.