step by step glowplug FAQ

i dont dissagree,,, the modern diesel engine requires little or no preheating,providing it is in good condition, but there are a few factors to consider,and with the symptoms described,eliminating a problem with the glowplugs is the easiest option ,

"the main problem is cold start. i hav never seen the glow plug light untill tonight. but then it was for less than a second, still didnt fire and keep going.

but turning the ignition on-off-on-off about 6 time ans it started straight up. now missing when driving of anything.

this only happens in cold weather."

im not trying to be clever here, just helpfull

lets talk basics, diesel/air mixture requires a temp of around 200oc for autoignition, glow plugs assist with preheating helping to raise the air temp,in the cylnders
if there are other factors , such as , 1, engine compression, (poor valve seating ) 2, cranking speed 3, ambient air temp, 4, fuel quality 5, poor injector spray , then cold starting is gonna be an issue without some help from the glow plugs,

elimate the easy stuff first

john t said:

but turning the ignition on-off-on-off about 6 time ans it started straight up.

Click to expand...

if it is a faulty pump or relay, turning on-off etc increases your chances of getting the faulty component to do what it should. If it only works once in ten attempts, if you turn it on and off eleven times, it will work once.

well, sorry i havent been around, but the've removed all the PC's from the office at work.

well, just so you all know, i have changed all my glow plugs and she's sweet as a nut now, starts first time, no smoke, no misfires, sweet as a nut.

and,...... my glow plug light in the cab only come on in reallllllll cold weather that we've had this week. but, even when it doesnt come on, i still have 12v to the plugs for 2-3 seconds, except when the engines up to temp. (when i say up to temp, basicly they stop coming on once the temp needle moves)

what i was really after from this thread was someone to talk through a glowplug change etc for other users. guess it will have to wait.

hey u c,
since you have just done the job yourself, you get the job for the step by step write up

wiggly stuff,
i see your reasoning, but i was looking at it from the point , every time you turn the ingition key, it initiates the glowplug relay, and the longer the relay is energised for the plugs would get hotter, so either the relay wasnt staying latched long enough, or as we now know , the plugs were duff

u c ,,,what were the condition of your old glow plugs