[MarvinVR]

I see an occasional post about changing glow plugs but wonder if one lives in a warmarea where they never turn on anyway, why do we need them? How do you know if they go bad? If bad and the temp is warm wont the engine start anyway? How would you ever know unless it was under freezing and you couldnt get it started? Wouldnt ALL have to be bad---it seems like even 1 or 2 being good would get things goinmg, right?

 

[ryandye]

I've got an 6.0 PSD but at around 6k miles, which was the winter of 04, my glow plug relay died. The truck still started fine but our winters rarely get below freezing anyway. My glow plug light always activates for a second or two but I have forgotten to wait and just turned the key - starts just fine.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

Well my father has a 1957 Ford tractor / backhoe with a 3 cylinder diesel engine that has no glowplugs. You just crank it over until the cylinders get hot enough to fire. However below around 45* you better have the block heater plugged in or have ether.

However our smaller diesels really aren't made for starting without GP's. You will get increased cold emissions, and long cranking.

 

[rmcgraw351]

[ QUOTE ]
... and long cranking.

[/ QUOTE ]

equals $$$$$$$$ starters

(experience talking) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[clamgulch]

The older diesels without glow plugs typically run about 22:1 compression ratio.
The Powerstroke is 17.5:1 and is designed to utilize heating (glow plugs, air intake heater) to assist in starting.
Lower compression takes less of a wear and tear toll on the engine, and that is one reason why the compression was lowered, in addition to NOx emissions, etc.

 

[MarvinVR]

Those heads/gaskets must be pretty strong.

 

[caryt]

My '95 has one bad gp and even with a updated starter won't start without plugging in when its below 45* /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Could have something to do with leaky o-rings /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

cary

 

[wlihntr]

[ QUOTE ]

The Powerstroke is 17.5:1 and is designed to utilize heating (glow plugs, air intake heater) to assist in starting.
.

[/ QUOTE ]

the intake air heater is not used in the starting cycle, only the GP,s

i had 2 GP,s go bad this winter (it does get cold here) and i could tell right away. it bellowed white smoke and ran real rough until it warmed up a little.

 

[NCHornet]

[ QUOTE ]
I see an occasional post about changing glow plugs but wonder if one lives in a warmarea where they never turn on anyway,

[/ QUOTE ]

From what I understand your GP's turn on just as if it were 20 below zereo. They come on when you cycle the key and the WTS light comes on they can stay on for up to 2 min.

 

[JimTJr]

They come on, but are not really needed under 50* I believe I read somewhere. The trucks will start under 50 without them,, (I had a bad relay this winter,, longer crank and TONS of white smoke on start) But it DID start....
In the low 30s or less I dont imagine they would start very easily...

 

[HenryJ]

I often wonder about messing something electronic or other up by not waiting for the wts light to go off in the summer. sometimes I get in and forget and just crank it and it starts just as well or better than waiting /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

 

[JimTJr]

During warmer weather it does not hurt ANYTHING to just crank and go...
Like mentioned above above 50* they are not really required.

 

[GrampyJim]

The wait to start light (how I wish people wouldn't call it the glow plug light) works independently of the glow plugs.... It is a "WAIT TO START" light... that's all... If you figure you're ahead of the game to crank that mother up before the light goes out, it is your cylinders that get treated to wash-down from unburned fuel and means little to me (other than the extra chances at engine repairs to flesh out my income).

If the engine oil temp is above (memory thing coming) 86 degrees celsius ( http://www.convert-me.com/en/ for the metrically challenged), the wait to start light will come on long enough to enure that base fuel pressure is up to snuff with no glow plug operation. FWIW, 86C is a tad warmer than what any of us see for ambient...

I love it when people try to rethink the engineers.... it's called "comic relief"...

 

[cat235d]

[ QUOTE ]


I love it when people try to rethink the engineers.... it's called "comic relief"...

[/ QUOTE ] And we all know the genuis engineers at ford know it all who was the genuis that decided to use ball joints that arent greaseable? or front bearings that are not serviceable? Grampy jim all your replys are wise cracks? i pity the people who bring there trucks to you to wrench on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

 

[Fastcolts]

[ QUOTE ]
Grampy jim all your replys are wise cracks? i pity the people who bring there trucks to you to wrench on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I sure get a lot of knowledge and time-saving shortcuts out of his replies! The man has a good sense of humor. Keep 'em coming Grampy Jim. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JimTJr]

I stand corrected Grampy,, never thought about "washing the cylinders" with raw fuel. Just remembered reading on here back when,,that you could do that. Maybe it was refering to after the truck has been running a bit and was warmed up some? Not a COLD start?
Yes,,sometimes your answers sound a bit tart, but You are one to listen to on here I know!

 

[rlalford]

This is something I've actually been wondering about. So if we are to do what is BEST for our engines what is the proper way to use the wait to start light? Grampy Jim seems to think we should pay attention to the WTS light regardless of ambient temp. if I understood him right. I read on here somewhere a week or so ago, and thought I understood that post to say we shouldn't wait in warm weather, shortens life of GP relay or GP's or something.

 

[444turbodiesel]

When the engine is warm the GP's don't operate so waiting does nothing and my fuel pressure hits 65# almost instantly.

 

[clamgulch]

I can hear my fuel pump running up the pressure and I wait for that to stop at a minimum. I figure if I want instant start I can drive the lexus. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif Trust me on the Lexus /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif

 

[ryaneverk2]

Quite a few guys have used a switch to disable their glow plug relays (and hence their glow plugs as well) when they don't feel they're necessary for starting.

I usually wait for the light all the time... it's not too long to wait. Sometimes if it's warm and I've already been running around for a while I'll only wait a second or two.