Yep, I need a picture of how to check to GP's. Anyone have an picture out there. Truck is hard to start when cold, great when warm. Think my GP's need changing. Please Advise.

Truck is an 86 6.9.

Thanks

 

I dont have a digital camera or I would take a couple pics when I change my plugs pretty soon. I check by holding a volt tester on the positive side of battery and grounding them on the plugs. If you have less than 12 volts then your plugs are bad.
I am just replacing myne all at once with new Motocraft GPs so I dont have to worry this winter.
89 7.3 NA diesel, I think they are the same when it comes to the plugs.

 

I do not have a picture, but I can describe it fairly well.

Get a 12 volt test light from an auto parts store.
Clip the grounding clip to the positive battery terminal and touch the engine ( glow plug base is a good place) to make sure you have a good connection, the light will light meaning it is right.
Then remove the glow plug electrical connector, touch the test light probe to the spade terminal that the connector was on. If the light lights the plug is probably good.
If it does not light the plug is bad. You may want to recheck the connection to the battery by grounding the probe to the plug base to make sure the light still works.
Make sure you are touching only the spade terminal with the probe when testing, not the base or fuel lines.

Another more accurate way is to use a digital ohm meter. Touch the base with one probe and the spade terminal with the other probe. You should have a reading between 1 and 2 ohms resistance. More or less resistance means replace the plug.
This test does require a fairly good meter, and you can not touch both probes while testing with your fingers. Your body has resistance as well.

 

excellent tips for a newbie like me...thanks

 

Dave,
using the test light is the same as using a volt meter to check for a good 12 volts, right?

I would think testing the ohms is more accurate but I wasnt sure what resistence it should be.

 

Yes the volt meter is the same. Although some digital volt meters are so sensetive that I would actually rather use the test light, it takes more amperage to light the filiment in the bulb than a digital volt meter uses to say what voltage is there.

 

Being as your a newbie...........


Check here for some vital info re GPs removal and only ones to buy.........

http://www.members.shaw.ca/k2pilot/

GPs available at autozone stores and online only use Beru/Motorcraft.......