Not that I haven't driven the Ol' girl a bit through the winter, but I'm finally getting her ready for the summer season of boat and camper hauling. Got the new glowplugs in a while back and a momentary switch so I have control of them. Hopefully they'll last a bit longer this time.
Gonna hook up the boat and get her on the lake this afternoon! It's been WAY TOO LONG!!!

 

It's nice to have things running the way they should. Looks like it is going to be a nice day for out on the lake.

 

Good to hear from you Dave, have fun at the lake but be safe.

 

Momentary switch, how do you figure that'll save glow plugs? Just that now in warm weather they don't have to come on or?

 

Mmmm lake, that sounds like a hell of an idea, enjoy yourself today Dave!

 

Soon as I gobble down some lunch, I'm away! Done the final checks... everything's there. Even a bit of fuel for the little kicker.
As for glowplugs, I think they've been staying on too long. I've gone through 3 sets in 5 years. Now I'll know exactly how long they're on.

 

I think that even in warm weather the 7.3 still need their glow plugs.

 

Right on the money Morris. At least for the first start of the day. After that, or if it's really warm out, it starts OK. Rather gusty out on the lake, but plenty of fun anyway. Got to try out the new (to me) sail I picked up last fall after the season was over. Nice!

 

These engine require more glow plug than people realize!
three years ago my 6.0 glow plug module flew the coop right in April. Temps were like they are now close to zero at night and 10-15 during the day. if i did not plug it in during the day it would not start after work!! I've worked on 7.3 in a heated shop that would not start unless plugged in, once the glow plugs were repaired it will start at -20c
use good quality parts and they will last a long time.
Happy Boating

 

I gotta admit, I never realized that the diesel engine needed the glowplug so much in the warm weather. I woulda just figured that it would work fine without them, say in the summertime.

 

The guys in the southern states don't use them when it's hot, but even in AZ, they still use them.

 

Here are some observations with my recently installed glow plug LED indicator:

When I installed my guages on a pillar pod, the pod also came with a glow plug LED so I can watch when the glow plugs are on. The WTS light on these trucks doesn't even come close to the length of time the glow plugs are needed to run when it's cold. Without a GP indicator I read on FTE to add an additional thirty seconds after the WTS light goes out to make sure I had enough cylinder heating with the glow plugs to ensure a good cold start. Surprisingly as well, after the truck starts the glow plugs continue to operate upwards of an additional one to two minutes.

I agree with Dean, these trucks need a lot of glow plug use in our winter weather for a clean cold start. I had my GPR calve on me a couple of winters ago as well and replaced with a jobber that also died 30 days later. During this time without a GPR, my truck was virtually unstartable even with the block heater plugged in and not too cold out. I had to manually jump the GPR to light the plugs enough for cold starting. When I got my Stancor GPR installed, problem was solved and no more GP issues. New glow plugs and fresh batteries don't hurt either.

Just my $0.02.

 

Right on Bother!
Also the biggest problem with the 7.3 glow plug circuit is the valve cover pass though harness. do you self a favour and replace these every five years min. my brothers 7.3 arced out there and burnt his harness up. then we replaced the whole thing.

 

My truck must have a horseshoe up its a$$. Regarding the engine, Ive only ever replaced the idler pulley. I havent had a problem with the glow plugs/circuit/relay at all yet. Never had an issue with it starting, and Ive started it as cold as minus 27 before, with it not plugged in.

 

Must be a 2003 thing Sheldon! until now my 6oh nither.