Glow plug testing after advanced timing damage

[Kevin 007]

Had someone stop by yesterday with a 1988 that I did glow plugs in last year. (Beru) He has since replaced the IP and the timing was MUCH too advanced, was not done with a meter and after a few thousand miles, it started to get harder to start as if a few GPs were toast. So I retarded the timing (I also did it by ear and did this just to prevent any further damage until its timed properly). Now can burnt glow plugs from advanced timing still be tested using the test light method or the ohm meter method?

Just curious

 

[icanfixall]

Sure. A failed glow plug will tell you by testing. Its either good or bad.. no in between good and bad.

 

[Kevin 007]

Good call Gary. Duely noted.

 

[HammerDown]

"and the timing was MUCH too advanced"
So, how far advanced was it?

"So I retarded the timing (I also did it by ear and did this just to prevent any further damage until its timed properly)"
With all due respects, but without having the proper equipment/meter to know where the timing 'was' or where it 'is' now = could be just as bad being too retarded.

EDIT...with my timing set at a 'safe' 9.50 my Beru GP's still show significant erosion of the tips and have started to fail.

 

[OLDBULL8]

So, on the assumption that the engine is/was advanced to far and destorying the GP's, you retarded it a little by ear. Didn't you take any out? GP's can go bad no matter what Brand they are. Don't know how you could tell that it was advanced to far by ear, unless the IP was swung way over to the pass side. Do you do service work? He better get it timed, then inspect the GP's. Timed a guys 7.3 a couple of months ago, it was advanced 22 degrees, ran fine but not efficient.

 

[Kevin 007]

Yes the pump was all the way over as far as it would go towards the passenger side and the pinging was probably the worst ive heard and beltching black smoke. Yes I just adjusted it back by "ear" to where it sounds like all the idi's ive seen timed to 9 degrees. So.....as I mentioned, I just bumped it back to try and prevent further damage UNTIL he can have it timed properly. No, I don't know I far advanced it was and I don't know where it ended up after I moved it but I compared all the symptoms to trucks ive seen timed a 12 + degrees. And with the pumped moved that far over, any of the overly advanced timing symptoms would be hard to argue.
No I didn't pull any plugs yet due to the lack of time nor did I even put a test light on them. Just thought I would ask if the test light method would still work as failed glow plugs would be my first guess at why its suddenly getting hard to start in this case and with timing that far advanced I would guess it has had some ill effect on the glow plugs.

 

[riotwarrior]

Kevin did you ever get a timing setup for yourself? Gary posted one on Ebay here today or yesterday that is a good price. I'd recomend it if you can even though close to Christmas, clearly you can use it. I know I've been pleased with mine!