Another 6.0 Question
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Innisfree, Alberta
Another 6.0 Question
Anyone know how long glow plugs run before they should be replaced. My truck has just over 80k on it now. And after reading a couple of horror stories about glowplug tips breaking off and falling into the cylinders it makes me a little nervous. I certainly can't afford to replace an engine.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
Don't say glowplugs don't blow tips. I know of a new 6.7 that lost a glowplug tip that caused catastrophic engine failure.
As far as the 6.0's I've never heard of a glowplug mechanically failing like you're refering to. They usually just quit working and throw a code. Until that point......let her bump.
As far as the 6.0's I've never heard of a glowplug mechanically failing like you're refering to. They usually just quit working and throw a code. Until that point......let her bump.
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Here is the article that mountie may be referring to. The author of this article (not mountie I assume) is also posting on other forums that a glow plug tip broke off in their 6.0L and required the $14k engine replacement.
https://sites.google.com/site/huntersfordtruck/
I can see that a lot of things could come apart w/ starting fluid, but on a well manitained engine w/ the corrrect glow plugs ..... has anyone really seen this????
(Before I saw this thread, I sent PM's to the local techs and others to see if they have seen this happen to a 6.0L. I am anxious to hear all of the responses. I have one reply already and he has not seen it in a 6.0L).
https://sites.google.com/site/huntersfordtruck/
I can see that a lot of things could come apart w/ starting fluid, but on a well manitained engine w/ the corrrect glow plugs ..... has anyone really seen this????
(Before I saw this thread, I sent PM's to the local techs and others to see if they have seen this happen to a 6.0L. I am anxious to hear all of the responses. I have one reply already and he has not seen it in a 6.0L).
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Innisfree, Alberta
Glowplug tips do break off. I bought a used F550 this spring for parts. It was running great until a glowplug tip broke off and scored up a cylinder wall. The owner sold it to me for parts.
About two months ago I read item where a person wrote in to one of my diesel mags explaining that he was having issues with his glowplugs. When he removed them to replace them, one was missing a piece off the end. Fortunately it got past the valve and out the exhaust.
There is a current thread in the Superduty forum where a Glowplug tip destroyed an engine.
No offence to anyone, just asking if anyone knows if there is a time when they should be replaced(lifespan) other than just when they fail. Thanks.
About two months ago I read item where a person wrote in to one of my diesel mags explaining that he was having issues with his glowplugs. When he removed them to replace them, one was missing a piece off the end. Fortunately it got past the valve and out the exhaust.
There is a current thread in the Superduty forum where a Glowplug tip destroyed an engine.
No offence to anyone, just asking if anyone knows if there is a time when they should be replaced(lifespan) other than just when they fail. Thanks.
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I have links to a thread (and I have seen two) on 6.0L engines w/ "potential" damage from glow plugs. In both cases, it was discussed that it was due to the wrong (too long) glow plug being installed IIRC.
Thanks for the response and PM Moe (and for the PM Mike), I have not seen it or read about it on a 6.0L w/ the proper glow plugs installed. I found it interesting that this problem was specifically identified by the OP as a concern when thinking about a 6.0L purchase!
Thanks for the response and PM Moe (and for the PM Mike), I have not seen it or read about it on a 6.0L w/ the proper glow plugs installed. I found it interesting that this problem was specifically identified by the OP as a concern when thinking about a 6.0L purchase!
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
I just got off the phone with a 20 yr. Ford Master Tech who's done more than 500 headgasket repairs alone (not to mention other 6.0 work) and he's never seen or even heard of a 6.0 glowplug tip failing or blowing off. They simply quit getting hot but don't come apart.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
you know like I said ive done better then 100 sets of heads and thats a very low gestament on that number...
I have rethought the question and I can say with out question I have infact seen it before and not from starting fluids.....
The glowplugs that I have seen with missing tips were all caused by a runaway engine. some time back I had one engine with 3 missing tips, a confirmed runaway with about 4qts of oil left in the pan.
so lets say the op of the linked story is correct. I would wonder about that as a possibel cause aswell.
I have rethought the question and I can say with out question I have infact seen it before and not from starting fluids.....
The glowplugs that I have seen with missing tips were all caused by a runaway engine. some time back I had one engine with 3 missing tips, a confirmed runaway with about 4qts of oil left in the pan.
so lets say the op of the linked story is correct. I would wonder about that as a possibel cause aswell.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Innisfree, Alberta
Thanks everyone for the informative responses. I guess tips breaking off is very rare if not negligible. What about the life span of glowplugs. Should they be replaced after a certain amount of mileage or should I just wait until they start acting up. I don't put a lot of miles on my truck so I'm now not gonna be too concerned about it. The truck I bought for parts was not taken apart before I got it and I questioned the guy as to how the shop came to the conclusion that it was a glowplug. He said it started missing. He took it in and they checked it out and said it was a glowplug tip. I asked him if he had seen it himself and he said no. He took their word for it. I was chuckling to myself at the time thinking it would be funny if it was just a bad injector. I never even tried to start it. I sold it a little time later, then bought my 07.