Glowplugs TD4

Hi
I have a broken glow plug and so the cap is disconnected. It starts fine on 3 but I wonder if there would be any other effects because of this - does the TD4 (2003 model) need all 4 to be working? I have a slight miss but put this down to a faulty Injector.

It will work on 3 glow plugs but if any of the others start to go, you will have trouble starting especially in cold temps.

Cheers for that. It starts really easy even on very cold mornings so hopefully it won't be a problem. I was worried it needed all working to make up a circuit.

Once upon a time there were engines that needed all the glow plugs to be working or you got nothing!!!

I remember the hassle trying to find out which one it was - with the snow whirling around and my gloves blown away in the wind.

Ah! Nostalgia!

Yes that's what I remember but didn't have a diesel then. Good to know that some change is good then!
Thanks it's put my mind at rest

The Td4 is a direct injection engine so will not be so reliant on glowplugs. They're there to help with emissions on startup & for assistance during subzero temperatures. In the old days some direct injection diesels weren't equipped with glowplugs at all. Indirect injection diesels, common from the 70's through to the early 2000's however are very reliant on their plugs & one plug down will make them difficult to start & almost impossible in subzero.
Your car will be fine & you probably won't notice any issue at all.

That's what I was hoping - its been like this for 9 months and I have had a miss bug today did s Leakback test and one injector is way out big time so that is it. I was just covering all angles.

That siezed up injector will cause far more poor starts than a single glowplug being out ever would


I've seen quite a few which wont start at all once they have 1 injector stick open.

It starts ok no problem and apart from a slight shimmy initially when accelerating it drives well and gets up to speeds (on private roads of course) well. I was surprised to see how bad it was - anyhow tomorrows job is to finish the job off and go and play! About 3 weeks ago it did start to miss at speed so I had to shut off the synergy and use it for MAF only - it was then ok for a whole but it was starting to miss a bit again - now I know why.

Hopefully all will be we tomorrow - I have swapped it out with a known good one (I think!)

Hehe!


Remember to remove the washer

Vissie said:

Hehe!


Remember to remove the washer

Click to expand...

I sorted that and cut a new seat for it - quite pleased with how it turned (!) out

I was curious about this glow plug thing myself...mine stopped working over a year ago - car starts fine normally, but in -10 conditions it takes a while cranking to get going.

Recently a glow plug tip broke off during removal and is stuck in the head. I have left it in, and car drives fine so far (will try to remove it later).

I was told by the garage that when one is broken, all other plugs stop working too? It certainly doesn't feel like any are working to be honest.

Also, light on dash never comes on - but its been like that a while, hence my investigation of the problem.

Would love to know what correct behaviour is.

Hi just replaced my glow plugs ...... one of my glow plugs was definately defective....now new ngk ones are fitted glow plug light seems to stay on longer.....so you could be right....a defective plug could effect all.

My light comes on with only 3 connected and starting is not a problem.

Angeloc: Really? Ok, good to know. Seeing as you know your stuff - have you ever come across or know where the glow plug control unit is? It's not in me e-box - just the big ECU and glow plug relay in there.

DefUnct said:

Angeloc: Really? Ok, good to know. Seeing as you know your stuff - have you ever come across or know where the glow plug control unit is? It's not in me e-box - just the big ECU and glow plug relay in there.

Click to expand...

No sorry I have never looked for it but someone on here will have I bet

Doesnt the engine ECU control the glowplug relay?

Engine ECU located in the E-box has a temp sensor located inside the Ebox itself to give engine bay temperature. It also knows engine temp, so im assuming this controls the glowplug relay and that there isnt a seperate 'glowplug control unit'. If anything, that description would refer to the glowplug relay itself.


Although i havent looked it up, it sounds right in my head atleast

correct Vissie, glowplug relay in e-box controlled by ecu

Time for a cookie then i guess

Hi all does anyone have a set of pictures how to remove them on a td4 BMW engine ?