Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Glow Plug Replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 05:07 PM
  #1  
acplowboy84's Avatar
acplowboy84
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Glow Plug Replacement

I searched the forums and could not find the answer to my question. I just simply need to know if the glow plugs in my 2003 6.0L Super Duty are like the glow plugs of a 7.3L and located under the valve covers?
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 05:24 PM
  #2  
High Binder's Avatar
High Binder
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by acplowboy84
I searched the forums and could not find the answer to my question. I just simply need to know if the glow plugs in my 2003 6.0L Super Duty are like the glow plugs of a 7.3L and located under the valve covers?

Are the 6.0 plugs hard to install?
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 06:02 PM
  #3  
smokersteve's Avatar
smokersteve
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: CA Sacramento
Ford Powerstroke Diesel Forum
 
Reply
Old Nov 22, 2010 | 06:34 PM
  #4  
dchamberlain's Avatar
dchamberlain
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
Club FTE Silver Member

This is for an early build 2004, which I think should be the same as a 2003. Late build 2004 uses individual connectors instead of a buss bar.

They are not under the valve covers, but they still look like a bitch to get to.

http://www.chamberlain.homedns.org/misc/GlowPlug.pdf
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2010 | 06:12 AM
  #5  
Maxium4x4's Avatar
Maxium4x4
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
Club FTE Gold Member
Glow plugs are a rare problem for the 6.0L, what is going on?
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2010 | 07:13 AM
  #6  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by dchamberlain
This is for an early build 2004, which I think should be the same as a 2003. Late build 2004 uses individual connectors instead of a buss bar.

They are not under the valve covers, but they still look like a bitch to get to.
Easier to get to if you remove the fender liner on the passenger side, but yeah still a bitch to get to.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2010 | 10:45 PM
  #7  
acplowboy84's Avatar
acplowboy84
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Maxium4x4
Glow plugs are a rare problem for the 6.0L, what is going on?
When it is below 50 degrees outside it is very hard to start and I get white smoke for about the first 3 to 5 minutes after start up. Also the wait light is usually on for 15 to 20 seconds when its cold. It runs great once started and starts just fine once it is warmed up. This is why I think that the glowplugs are the problem. I don't know of anything else that would cause it to start hard only when it is cold outside. Also the other morning when it was only 30 degrees it almost didn't start at all.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2010 | 10:48 PM
  #8  
smokersteve's Avatar
smokersteve
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: CA Sacramento
Does your coolant level ever change?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 30, 2010 | 04:55 AM
  #9  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by acplowboy84
When it is below 50 degrees outside it is very hard to start and I get white smoke for about the first 3 to 5 minutes after start up. Also the wait light is usually on for 15 to 20 seconds when its cold. It runs great once started and starts just fine once it is warmed up. This is why I think that the glowplugs are the problem. I don't know of anything else that would cause it to start hard only when it is cold outside. Also the other morning when it was only 30 degrees it almost didn't start at all.
The first thing to check is your batteries. If they're not up to snuff then that's your first problem. Wait to start light on for 15 or 20 seconds isn't unusual when it's cold. I wait 15 or 20 after it goes out to start mine. The glowplugs can stay on for quite a while after the motor is running. Sounds more like injectors than glowplugs. Have you tried plugging in the block heater to see if that helps? Also, what kind of oil are you running?
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2010 | 08:29 PM
  #10  
acplowboy84's Avatar
acplowboy84
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by npccpartsman
The first thing to check is your batteries. If they're not up to snuff then that's your first problem. Wait to start light on for 15 or 20 seconds isn't unusual when it's cold. I wait 15 or 20 after it goes out to start mine. The glowplugs can stay on for quite a while after the motor is running. Sounds more like injectors than glowplugs. Have you tried plugging in the block heater to see if that helps? Also, what kind of oil are you running?
The batteries are good I checked those first. If it was the injectors then why would the truck run fine once it is started? Also there is definetly no lack of power or engine surging or any other signs of faulty injection. Again once the truck has been started for the first time of the day I have no starting problems what so ever which is why I am leaning toward glow plugs or something to do with the glow plugs.
 
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2010 | 08:46 PM
  #11  
bismic's Avatar
bismic
Fleet Owner
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,916
Likes: 3,635
Club FTE Gold Member
It could be your FICM.

Do you get ANY rough running after it starts?

Injector stiction causes issues at first start-up - until the oil heats up (if it is a mild case of stiction).
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2010 | 05:22 PM
  #12  
acplowboy84's Avatar
acplowboy84
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
The truck runs great it is just really hard to start when cold.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 01:14 AM
  #13  
jmaskew's Avatar
jmaskew
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
What oil do you use? 5w-40 Synthetic should help.
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 02:40 PM
  #14  
Bustaduck's Avatar
Bustaduck
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
I'm having the same problem I just plug mine up every night.runs fine after first start up but I thank my FICM is bad and may have a little injector stiction. had the FICM replaced last year but they would not replace it under warrenty because I had over 12,000 miles on it. I THANK bad batters got it?
 
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 09:48 PM
  #15  
acplowboy84's Avatar
acplowboy84
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I have tested the FICM and it tested out be good. And to answer the question on what oil I use I use Rotella 15W40 in it. Is there a way to test for injector stiction with out pulling the valve covers and injectors?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:31 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE