OK... Here goes...
I have been having trouble getting my 87 F250 to start in the mornings when it's cold (sub 45) outside. Yes, I realize that's not really "cold", but that is the temperature at which Mable begins to groan about getting going in the morning. In any event, in speaking with the folks at the Baltimore Diesel Services, they suggested that I test my glow plugs using a light tester and replace any that don't test out. Well that was all of them. I began the task of removing all eight glow plugs and when I was finished I had two that were busted off in the combustion chamber. The pieces were between 1/8" and 3/8" in length (basically the tips of the glow plugs), and are cylinders one and five. I contacted the folks at Baltimore Diesel Services. Buddy is a great guy who's been around a long time and I trust his judgement. He advised that because the pieces are 1) hollow, 2)soft, and 3)small, that most likely they wouldn't pose a problem but would eventually be jettisoned out with the exhaust. He stated that they only way it would pose an issue would be if one of the pieces got stuck in a valve. He advised that I remove the injectors in those two cylinders and turn the engine over in the hopes that the compression would force the pieces up and out. I tried it. It did not work. So... I am forced to make a decision and I am here to put the decision to you in the hopes that you will weigh in with your thoughts. There are a lot of very smart and experienced folks on this forum and I value your input. As I see it, I can do one of two things:
1) Install the new glow plugs (along with a 6amp resistor so I don't burn them out again), and go about my daily business hoping that said pieces of debris will get flattened and eventually make their way out the tail pipe.
or
2) Remove the head, retrieve the debris, and put it all back together again.
If you advise that I do choice number 2, I'd be most grateful if you could point me in the direction of any useful posts or other resources that can step me through that process. I know it's rather involved, and though I'd rather not have to do it, I am excited for the learning opportunity that it presents. Additionally, if you could give me a heads up about any pitfalls I should look out for while doing the job, that'd be super neato.
OK... I'll look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks a bunch!
Lewis
I have been having trouble getting my 87 F250 to start in the mornings when it's cold (sub 45) outside. Yes, I realize that's not really "cold", but that is the temperature at which Mable begins to groan about getting going in the morning. In any event, in speaking with the folks at the Baltimore Diesel Services, they suggested that I test my glow plugs using a light tester and replace any that don't test out. Well that was all of them. I began the task of removing all eight glow plugs and when I was finished I had two that were busted off in the combustion chamber. The pieces were between 1/8" and 3/8" in length (basically the tips of the glow plugs), and are cylinders one and five. I contacted the folks at Baltimore Diesel Services. Buddy is a great guy who's been around a long time and I trust his judgement. He advised that because the pieces are 1) hollow, 2)soft, and 3)small, that most likely they wouldn't pose a problem but would eventually be jettisoned out with the exhaust. He stated that they only way it would pose an issue would be if one of the pieces got stuck in a valve. He advised that I remove the injectors in those two cylinders and turn the engine over in the hopes that the compression would force the pieces up and out. I tried it. It did not work. So... I am forced to make a decision and I am here to put the decision to you in the hopes that you will weigh in with your thoughts. There are a lot of very smart and experienced folks on this forum and I value your input. As I see it, I can do one of two things:
1) Install the new glow plugs (along with a 6amp resistor so I don't burn them out again), and go about my daily business hoping that said pieces of debris will get flattened and eventually make their way out the tail pipe.
or
2) Remove the head, retrieve the debris, and put it all back together again.
If you advise that I do choice number 2, I'd be most grateful if you could point me in the direction of any useful posts or other resources that can step me through that process. I know it's rather involved, and though I'd rather not have to do it, I am excited for the learning opportunity that it presents. Additionally, if you could give me a heads up about any pitfalls I should look out for while doing the job, that'd be super neato.
OK... I'll look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks a bunch!
Lewis