Extended Glow Plug Interval Cold Start

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Nov 11, 2005 | 09:55 PM

Go Devil

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Extended Glow Plug Interval Cold Start

Will allowing the glow plugs to heat longer before a cold start make any difference? I have recently waited a few seconds longer than normal on cool mornings to begin cranking. The result has been a smoother start and no white smoke, which has been very small but noticeable on cool mornings. The idle after start up is smoother as well. Is this a coincidence or does the extra time make a difference? The truck is an '03 6.0

Nov 12, 2005 | 12:08 AM

TXBDBY

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From: Eagle River, AK

Well the best thing I can say to do for cool starting is to plug the truck when you think it will get below 10 degrees. I live in Alaska and it has been COLD lately and all done extra is plug my o4 in at night, hop in trun key, wait till light goes off which goes off sooner and start truck.

Nov 12, 2005 | 10:24 AM

Colorado-native

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From: LaPorte, CO

Depending on temperature, the glow plugs stay on for as long as 120 sec.
Extending the wait time when it's cold will put more heat into the cylinders and should result in a smoother start. I wait until the HFCM fuel pump cycles off - about 20 sec - which works much better for my particular engine.

Nov 12, 2005 | 03:45 PM

Beachbumcook

Got Diesel?

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I was told by my delaer that all one needs to do is wait until the light goes off to start. The glow plugs stay energized for 2 minutes, so cysling on, then off, then back on doesn't produce any more heat. As well, waiting longer than the light (when it goes off) does not produce any more heat.

Plugging in the block heater helps if electric power is handy.

If extra winter weather starting is needed, try fuel conditioners for anti-gelling (max concentrations), make sure your batteries are good and charged and make sure your fuel filters have been changed at their recommended intervals... or sooner if you have bought questionable fuel.

Jeff

Nov 13, 2005 | 01:43 AM

Go Devil

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By cool I mean 50 degrees, and longer than normal I mean seconds after the glow plug light goes off. Before I was starting immediately after the light went off and just recently I have noticed a white puff of smoke that does not occur when I wait a few seconds longer after the glow plug light goes off. As the engine accrues more miles and years is it beneficial to wait longer than the glow plug light interval? I am seeing smoother starts by waiting 5-10 seconds longer than normal this third year of ownership. As for fuel, I only fuel at high volume dealers and use powerservice in the grey bottle. The 6.0 is stock and still has the EGR connected.

Nov 13, 2005 | 04:08 AM

Banshee Ben

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How Many Watts Is The Block Heater????

Nov 13, 2005 | 08:45 AM

blueeyes2478

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From: Connecticut

The longer you wait,the hottier the cycilinder chamber will get.The plug will stay on for 2 mins at a time.The longer you wait the easier it will start.