old vs new: glow time

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Dec 6, 2013 | 10:18 AM

brokeasajoke

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From: Western NC mountains

old vs new: glow time

So for giggles since i have hard start issues i pulled glow plugs on my 88 7.3 and watched and counted as the plugs heated up. Seems the old plugs took at least 2 sec or more to heat than the new ones. the new plugs heated bright red in 8 sec. One old took 4 more sec putting it at 13 sec total. I only have 3 new in right now. So even though the old checked good with test light they are not heating evenly or this may all be isolated to me and my truck. Then again everyone else may have already known this. So get in truck and hit glow button for 13-14 sec and fires up much eaiser but still took about 10 sec of cranking.

Dec 6, 2013 | 02:57 PM

kla94

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From: Centerville TN

My truck has always started in the winter. This winter I have had a little trouble with it. I've come to the conclusion that the glow plugs are old and the batteries are old. If my truck sits for a few days, it's hard to start.

Dec 6, 2013 | 04:44 PM

lindstromjd

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From: West Des Moines, IA

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokeasajoke

So get in truck and hit glow button for 13-14 sec and fires up much eaiser but still took about 10 sec of cranking.

If your truck takes that long to start up, you have other issues un-related to your glow plugs. Now that you know the plugs are working (even if they aren't all working at top notch, they're not burned out), it's time for you to invest in a good return line kit, and get your injection pump timed.

Dec 6, 2013 | 05:13 PM

brokeasajoke

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From: Western NC mountains

Done return lines caps new injectors and orings. Also installed a duralift elec pump. Wondering if hard start is ip related. More info on that in " hard start cold ip?" Just down the page.

Dec 6, 2013 | 06:32 PM

lindstromjd

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From: West Des Moines, IA

Did you replace all the "olive" fittings? Like the one up at the fuel filter head?

Dec 6, 2013 | 08:20 PM

brokeasajoke

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From: Western NC mountains

Replaced inlet when i changed to an elec lift pump that i let prime for 15+ seconds before starting.

Dec 6, 2013 | 08:49 PM

FORDF250HDXLT

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From: Mi'kma'ki

yes thats right.in order to acuratly test the condition of a glow plug,you have to measure its resistance.iirc it should be less than 1 ohm or perhaps just half an ohm.
anyway,if you find a bad one,it's best to just replace them as a set.
rock auto has good prices.i went with amazon because they offered me free 2 day prime again and im a little exited to get her back up to snuff (and beyond a bit.)
hows the starting system? she really needs to turn over fast.the fuel injectors need to be in good shape as well for quick starts.