Clutch and glow plug woes

Howdy folks

So 2 issues that are doing my tree in

1st if my glow plugs. I am unable to start to car using the glow plugs. Iv been squirting a bit of cold start to get her running. they are all new plugs. is there any way to test them to see if they are actually working? they're the type that wire in parallel and ground to the block

2nd issue is my damned clutch. Tis all new, from the plate. pressure plate. slave cylinder. flexi hose and the master cylinder. yet it never feels right. clutch disengages as soon as I touch the pedal.....literally

This is all series 3 parts btw

Someone please help before i set fire to the thing and dance naked around it in a ritualistic fashion

Simple test for plugs is to feel the tops after about 20 seconds, should be warm.
Clutch master cylinder not adjusted right,needs more free play on rod or clutch slip will soon be your problem.

Are they diesel or petrol glow plugs.....

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You can wire a glow plug while its out of the engine direct to the battery to see if it is a live one but things get very hot very quickly. That doesnt check however if your wiring is correct.

What type am them?

The middle looks most like the culprit IIRC.
Iv tried running a lead straight from battery to nearest plug to see if it was a wiring problem. Iv tried using it on both sides of the ballast resistor. trying to use them with the ballast in the circuit nearly set fire to my wiring in the cab I may add lol

Stormintrooper said:

The middle looks most like the culprit IIRC.
Iv tried running a lead straight from battery to nearest plug to see if it was a wiring problem. Iv tried using it on both sides of the ballast resistor. trying to use them with the ballast in the circuit nearly set fire to my wiring in the cab I may add lol

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If the plugs are working, you should be able to feel heat from them. For confirmation, remove and test, they should glow visibly red with a current on them.

Glow plugs help with starting, but they arent a cure-all.

Have you checked the usual suspects, Tappets, filters, fuel injectors? And is your battery in good condition, and giving you the cranking speed you need for a diesel cold start?

Glow plugs
If they are the middle ones should be wired in series not //

Engine has been recently rebuilt from ground up. I do suspect the injector timing is a little off as I get quite a bit of smoke on acceleration or when under load

As for the wiring. prior to rebuild and new plugs it was wired in parallel and bypassing the ballast and worked a treat. Il pop the plug out tomorrow and put up a picture just to be sure

The old type with the pigs tail are a bit of a pain. They are indeed wired in series so if one fails, any behind it don't get any juice.
If this is the case it's well worth getting the kit (with instructions) containing the new type. At least if you lose one the other three will fire the beast up.

Seeing as everyone is certain that they wire in series (damn you paddock for giving me the wrong plugs).
I assume that the positive end of the plug is at the very top but where do I connect the negative wire ( i.e. the one that then goes to the positive of the next plug) as it's not jumping out at me as anywhere obvious? or maybe one of you beautiful people has a picture of them wired in series?

And I assume that I should not be bypassing the ballast resistor?

Stormintrooper said:

Seeing as everyone is certain that they wire in series (damn you paddock for giving me the wrong plugs).
I assume that the positive end of the plug is at the very top but where do I connect the negative wire ( i.e. the one that then goes to the positive of the next plug) as it's not jumping out at me as anywhere obvious? or maybe one of you beautiful people has a picture of them wired in series?

And I assume that I should not be bypassing the ballast resistor?

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It connects onto the terminal on the next plug. There is only one terminal on the plug.

Stormintrooper said:

Seeing as everyone is certain that they wire in series (damn you paddock for giving me the wrong plugs).
I assume that the positive end of the plug is at the very top but where do I connect the negative wire ( i.e. the one that then goes to the positive of the next plug) as it's not jumping out at me as anywhere obvious? or maybe one of you beautiful people has a picture of them wired in series?

And I assume that I should not be bypassing the ballast resistor?

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I dont have a picture of them in a Series, but this is what they are like in a Ninety. IIRC they are more or less the same. Sorry the pic isnt better, but they arent something I go out of my way to photograph.

Forgive the ignorance. but how exactly do they wire up differently then as that looks exactly the same as my old set were wired in parallel?

Stormintrooper said:

Forgive the ignorance. but how exactly do they wire up differently then as that looks exactly the same as my old set were wired in parallel?

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I wouldnt say those are wired in parallell. They come one after the other on the same wire. And earth through the block.

I didn't have time to take one out today but did snap a picture. I'm fairly certain they had pigtails on the end you can't see inside the block. are they wired right or?

Nope.

First wire from coil goes on top of ceramic separator. The second goes from under ceramic separator to top of next. Etc etc.
Last one goes to earth.

Just remember if you lose number 4 plug, 3,2 and 1 won't work either.
It's why they invented the new ones with built in resistance so you can do away with the coil running all 4.

Bobsticle said:

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Bobsticle said:

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Nice one, that explains it, two completely different systems. Never really looked into it before, I just replace what is there.

So after going to paddock and telling them that my old plugs bypassed the ballast and used 12v they managed to sell me the old type and didn't tell me lol no wonder I can't start her up

Bobsticle said:

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So this is how I should be wired up yes? didn't even know there was 2 ways to wire it in series