Winter is comming test your Glow plugs.

[reset2]

After my truck got much slower starting this week (in Maryland). I had to put the glow plugs to the top of the list. When ever you glow plug controller times out very fast most likely a glow plug or several plugs are burnt open. My truck had three that burnt open and a couple weak ones. Put the best used ones back in and two new ones that I had on hand.

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Four things you will need for this job.
1. Some good used or new glow plugs.

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2. Can of copper high temp Never Seze.
3. Top Side Creeper.
4. Test wires to hook to battery and test the old glow plugs

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The test will be in the morning.

 

[jwalterus]

Why test? Up here a full set of 8 is an "annual maintenance item".

 

[reset2]

One of my faults ( or blessings) is that I like to see how things work. Before this truck I never seen a glow plug or completely understood how they did what they do. Also if a person keeps track they are a good indicator of what is happening in the engine, but by using used plugs the data could be misleading and I realize that.

jwaltreus - do you change yours each year? Or do you change them when the controller tells you to. Just curious.

 

[jwalterus]

jwaltreus - do you change yours each year? Or do you change them when the controller tells you to. Just curious.

Every year in Sept (I'll be doing them this weekend).
Hard for the controller to tell me anything when it's been completely bypassed for years.
Change them, test the old ones, throw all the "still good" (generally 6-8) ones into a drawer in the shed.
I give them away to a few buddies when they need a set, and use them when I pick up a truck to flip.
My stash is currently down after a couple of sets being used this year, I doubt I have more than 20 GPs in the drawer right now......

 

[riphip]

Make sure you have a new spare starter if starting is slow. They usually quit away from home & proper tools.

 

[Hydro-idi]

If you have to change your glowplugs every year, something is definitely wrong there.
They will last years if your GPC is working properly. Push buttons are a good way to junk them quick.
GP’s are very simple to test. If they glow, they are good. If they don’t, they are junk.

 

[steelheadguy]

I just do an ohm test on the multimeter. No battery needed and you dont need to remove the plugs.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

If you have to change your glowplugs every year, something is definitely wrong there.
They will last years if your GPC is working properly. Push buttons are a good way to junk them quick.
GP’s are very simple to test. If they glow, they are good. If they don’t, they are junk.

Yes, but he said that he installs a new set every year. He throws the good ones in a drawer to hold on to. I don't see this as he needs all 8 every year, just some. This is probably a better safe than sorry thing.

 

[chillman88]

If it got as cold here as it does in Minot, I'd be changing them every year too! I'd hate to be stuck because the truck won't start in that cold!

Around here, it's "cool" below 40*F, "chilly" under 20*F, and cold once it drops below zero..........
When you hit -20 and lower, we call it "bitter" if there's wind (which is always, this is ND after all )

 

[BrassBandit]

Changing glow plugs every year sounds crazy to me. I put 400 000 + km on my 02 7.3 before having to do glow plugs and I live in northern Alberta. Truck would fire no problem at -30 any colder and it had to be plugged in. I use my welder as a Canary, if it won't start nothing I own will.

 

[Macrobb]

When the controller short cycles, I test and replace my glow plugs by pulling each lead, then doing a "spark test" - just use a piece of wire with one end connected to B+, and touch your GP terminal with the other. No spark = bad. Weak spark(compared to others) - pull and double check(when applying 12v, the tip should be bright red within 10 seconds or so - compare to a new one).

 

[chris142]

When my controler short cycles it means I need to clean where they plug onto the glowplugs. Had the same ones in since 2012.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I just do an ohm test on the multimeter. No battery needed and you dont need to remove the plugs.

I'm consistently reading about 0.2 Ohms on my plugs when I do that.

 

[saburai]

When my controler short cycles it means I need to clean where they plug onto the glowplugs. Had the same ones in since 2012.

Pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by short cycles?

 

[chris142]

Pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by short cycles?

The light blinks and goes out instead of staying on 8 or so seconds.