Glow plug removal error, first posting
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New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4
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From: Crestwood, KY
Glow plug removal error, first posting
Viewed this forum for years, much learned so thank you. First ever post goes like this.....
94.5 7.3, basic mods, auto
Removed drivers side valve cover to replace glow plugs and gaskets. Removed the four glow plugs. Plugs came out fine, however, my error is, I skipped over the part about sucking any oil out so it wouldn't go into the cylinder.
Question, what are my consequences for this mistake? What actions or procedures do I take now. After realizing this error, I do in fact remember there being oil present before their removal. Cover is still off and new plugs are not in yet.
I have not attempted the passenger side yet if that helps.
Searched the threads for this answer but came up empty.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
94.5 7.3, basic mods, auto
Removed drivers side valve cover to replace glow plugs and gaskets. Removed the four glow plugs. Plugs came out fine, however, my error is, I skipped over the part about sucking any oil out so it wouldn't go into the cylinder.
Question, what are my consequences for this mistake? What actions or procedures do I take now. After realizing this error, I do in fact remember there being oil present before their removal. Cover is still off and new plugs are not in yet.
I have not attempted the passenger side yet if that helps.
Searched the threads for this answer but came up empty.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 10
From: Phoenix, AZ
Yes you should be fine, cranking the engine with the plugs removed will be adequate if you are worried.
When we did my buddies truck, I just used a shop towel to try and dab as much oil up as I could and while pulling the plugs when we replaced them. We didn't crank the engine with the glow plugs removed, we just put the new ones in and were fine.
Still would be safe to crank the engine with the plugs out though. You'll be fine if you do that for sure.
When we did my buddies truck, I just used a shop towel to try and dab as much oil up as I could and while pulling the plugs when we replaced them. We didn't crank the engine with the glow plugs removed, we just put the new ones in and were fine.
Still would be safe to crank the engine with the plugs out though. You'll be fine if you do that for sure.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 10
From: Phoenix, AZ
When I did my injectors, I had the covers off when I cranked the motor. A bit of people recommend to have the covers at least resting in place to keep mess to a minimum.
It didn't really seem to make too big of a mess when I did it with my covers off, but I did try and vacuum the liquids out before hand (because a lot more oil/fuel will fill the cylidners when taking injectors out).
You should be fine just resting them over, but even if you don't it probably won't make too big of a mess!
As for how long to crank it, maybe like 1/2 a second to maybe a little longer. I'm talking about a REAL second like the "one-thousand-one" type! A very quick spin would probably get everything out, but cranking for about 1/2 a second to a little longer is probably better.
It didn't really seem to make too big of a mess when I did it with my covers off, but I did try and vacuum the liquids out before hand (because a lot more oil/fuel will fill the cylidners when taking injectors out).
You should be fine just resting them over, but even if you don't it probably won't make too big of a mess!
As for how long to crank it, maybe like 1/2 a second to maybe a little longer. I'm talking about a REAL second like the "one-thousand-one" type! A very quick spin would probably get everything out, but cranking for about 1/2 a second to a little longer is probably better.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Indiana
I am obviously missing something....I read this entire post a few times then did some internet searches on replacing glow plugs. Where are you sucking out oil from/wiping it up with towels?? We replaced my glow plugs in November and we just took the old ones out and screwed new ones in. I put about 100 miles on the truck after changing the glow plugs. Now I'm worried we didn't change them correctly and something will be screwed up
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,213
Likes: 1,341
From: Bahstun
if too much oil gets into the cylinder when you remove the glow plugs its possible to hydro lock the engine and bend a connecting rod
there isn't that much oil that can go in with just a GP replace but if there is then you can have the hydro lock issue
If you are running fine for 100 miles I don't think you did any harm.
there isn't that much oil that can go in with just a GP replace but if there is then you can have the hydro lock issue
If you are running fine for 100 miles I don't think you did any harm.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 259
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From: Plymouth Indiana
Thank you for the information. We still have so much more to learn. And we actually talked about how simple it was to change the glow plugs. Little did we know that we could have done some major damage.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,213
Likes: 1,341
From: Bahstun
Wonder what the compressed chamber size it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Should be able to calculate it; take the total displacement (7.3L), divide by eight, figure in a 400-ish-psi compression, carry the two, 30 days has September.....
But even if the volume of oil were little enough that it would fit in the compressed chamber, think about the remaining space. Since the oil is (for the sake of argument) incompressible, the compression stroke is compressing a smaller volume of remaining space. So the effective compression ratio could be much higher. so even if the oil doesn't completely fill the space, I wouldn't be surprised if the higher compression could be enough to bend a pushrod.
But even if the volume of oil were little enough that it would fit in the compressed chamber, think about the remaining space. Since the oil is (for the sake of argument) incompressible, the compression stroke is compressing a smaller volume of remaining space. So the effective compression ratio could be much higher. so even if the oil doesn't completely fill the space, I wouldn't be surprised if the higher compression could be enough to bend a pushrod.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 21
From: Aransas Pass, Tx
When I blew my head gasket by sucking water while in a mud hole (I was young and really really dumb, been 3 years and I am better), I had a cylinder FULL of water and it took probably about 20 attempts to start the truck before it finally blew the head gasket.
SO, *in my experience* for you to do damage, you have to really really really try and even then, the first failure point will probably be the gasket and not the rod.
SO, *in my experience* for you to do damage, you have to really really really try and even then, the first failure point will probably be the gasket and not the rod.
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