I have a 92 7.3 idi that was starting to have a slightly harder time starting in the colder weather. I figured before winter I’d change all the glow plugs. Now all I’m getting is a repeated clicking from the relay and even harder starting. Any advice is helpful

 

what brand glow plugs did you put in it?
motorcraft/beru glow plugs are the only ones that work in these engines, all other brands burn out real quick, some after only one or two starts.
the ZD-29 is the new number for the IDI.
i would not buy ZD-9 plugs as there are way too many chinese counterfeit plugs out there that are just as bad as the other brand plugs.

 

Yeah watch out for bogus ZD-9 plugs on Ebay. Lotsa' sellers with too-good-to-be-true prices on "genuine Motorcraft" plugs.

 

tjc , MCMtn,
What do we look for as far as counterfeit ZD9 are concerned?
Are they stamped the same?
Are they in the same little plastic bags as genuine?
Are there any physical differences we can see?
Do the counterfeit ones lose thier tips into the engine?
I bought 8 ZD9s that appeared genuine off ebay for around $100 last year and I'm concerned.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Please pray for all the people in the wake of that last storm. More tragic than we're being told.

 

I didn’t know about the ZD-9 counterfeit plugs… that is more than likely the issue. Last time I bought the ZD-9 they worked great but they were probably the genuine ones. Would the fake plugs still cause the clicking relay?

 

yes. . clicking relay as soon as key it turned to run on a cold engine means the controller thinks the plugs are already warm.

 

I have heard one tiny detail the fake plugs don't have is a small hole in the plastic bag like the kind of hole a paper punch would make--perfect small circle about 3/16th diameter. Supposedly Ford/Motorcraft bags had this small hole so the bags wouldn't fill with air and take up more space, but this is second/third hand info so i could be wrong here. Basically if it seems like a really great deal on "genuine" parts I would think twice about it. How would an Ebay reseller get something and be able to profit while still charging 65% less than the dealer. 8 years ago I bought ZD-9s through the local dealer and they were about $9 each so $30 for 8 on Ebay looks good but I wouldn't trust it. I'd sooner go with a legit off-brand than trust sketchy ebay "Motorcraft". Just my .02