How to tell if my cylinder is at TDC?.

notenuftime

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My farthest back passenger side glow plug is stuck, will unscrew but wont pull out going to attempt to pull it and doesn't help that its the one underneath the turbo. Just to be safe i would like to get my cylinder at its top position just in case i break it, my question is how do i tell when my piston is at TDC.
 

TahoeTom

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Your damper has a line on it. The timing plate has a line with a "0", it will be where the larger, shorter of the two tubes is. You may have to clean things up to see the lines. When the marks are aligned, #1 and #4 are at TDC. Cylinders are numbered 1,3,5,7 on pass side starting in front, and 2,4,6,8 on drivers side. Rear on pass side is #7. One quarter turn CW of the damper (15/16 socket) will bring up 2 and 5, another 1/4 turn brings up 7 and 6, another 1/4 and 3 and 8 are at TDC. So in your case 180* rotation from starting point (marks aligned) should bring #7 to TDC. I marked my damper in quarters by wrapping a thin cardboard like cereal box around it and marking overlap, then dividing the distance in four and transferring to the damper. Kind of a PITA and probably not really needed in your case.
 

riotwarrior

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Good luck with the re n re

As mentioned following firing order in 1/4 turns is best method.
 
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icanfixall

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The posting above are how to find tdc on any cylinder. To add something every cylinder has a number cast into the intake manifold port near the head. May need to clean off some dirt but its there. You might try cranking the engine to blow out the broken plug but make sure some rags are covering the plug. It will come out with the force of a 22 caliber bullet and hurt someone. If cranking wont blow it out try starting the engine but be careful.
 

notenuftime

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I have heard of multiple people doing this cranking the engine to get the plugs out, i want to try this but i feel like things could go very wrong. Anyone want to tell me this "technique" will work just fine may ease my thoughts when i go ahead this weekend and give it a whirl.
 

FordGuy100

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Unplug the FSS so its not pumping fuel. Put a bunch of rags over the glow plug, and then give it a second crank. Go and look to see if it comes out.

It should work fine, as long as the glow plug is unthreaded all the way, and the glow plug tip isnt broken off (which would increase the chance of it falling into the cylinder. But you never now....:eek:
 

IDIoit

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FYI, you dont have to worry about the glow plug head hitting the slug.
your pre cup will do the job just fine.
if the tip is broke, your best bet is to pull the head off.

try cranking it with the above mentioned.

TDC wont help you very much.
 
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