Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Cold Weather Starting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2005 | 09:05 PM
  #1  
M998's Avatar
M998
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: NC
Cold Weather Starting

What temperature do you guys plug your trucks in to help with starting?
I just replaced the glowplugs and the timer and I am having trouble cranking my truck. It usually takes 2 times of glowplugging for it to hit. I can plug it up and it will crank right up. Anything I should check? Or does this sound about normal?

Brian
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 06:12 AM
  #2  
pnose's Avatar
pnose
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 692
Likes: 0
From: newfoundland canada
What brand gp's,whats the outside temp?
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 09:42 AM
  #3  
cgrandahl64's Avatar
cgrandahl64
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: cold ole' minnesota
my rig will start in anything above zero F*. I cycle them twice, crank for 4-7 secs and shes right up there. Below 0, it will start also, but sometimes more cranking is needed. I am usuaully up two hourse before I need to leave, so I will plug her in from time to time just to make the starter have a happier day.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 09:44 AM
  #4  
M998's Avatar
M998
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: NC
I tried some of those Japan/Bosch plugs, junk..I had 3 burn out within a few weeks.
I now have brand new Autolites. Temp ranges from 20-30 or so.

Brian
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 09:48 AM
  #5  
cgrandahl64's Avatar
cgrandahl64
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: cold ole' minnesota
you will find the genreal consensus si that auotlites are also junk, and can lead to some serious problems such as broken or mushroomed tips. The only GP to use is the oem Motorcraft/Beru available at autozone for 9.99.
That dosent sound bad if it will crank right up in 20* then everything is more then likelyy working correctly.
I would still change to the oem GPs to aviod serious problems though.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 09:57 AM
  #6  
pwhnts's Avatar
pwhnts
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I made the mistake of letting a guy put autolites in my truck, I asked him twice what he was putting in and when I checked they were autolites. Only saving grace is I made the place put right on the ticket a statement that they would be responsible for any problems or damage caused by not using oem glow plugs.

As for starting, I plug mine in at anything below 30 degrees. It will start at 10 degrees without plugging in, but it works hard to do it and not allows on the first try. I have my heater on a timer, it goes on for two hours from 1-3am and again for three hours from 5-8am, so it is ready when I jump in at 7:30am. The simple wall timer will really save on electric cost. I has been -10 degrees here the last three nights and she fires right up. Be careful cycling plugs to many times without giving them a break (5-10 seconds), it can overheat them and ruin them. Plug it in and you will have no problems.



PW
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 03:00 PM
  #7  
BajaGringo's Avatar
BajaGringo
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Exclamation Using Autolite Glow Plugs?

If you've got Autolite Glow Plugs in a IDI, you'd better get them out of there, NOW!!! They WILL swell up or curl up inside the precup chamber and then when you try to remove it, it breaks off and falls down on the top of the piston. And there's not enough room there, so the tip either becomes imbedded in the piston or a valve gets bent as the tip trys to pass out. I've seen photos of both.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 03:36 PM
  #8  
M998's Avatar
M998
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: NC
Did not know that about the Autolite glowplugs. I know that the glowplugs can swell but I thought that was from a bad timer that constantly heats the plug. I had this happen on a 6.2 diesel military blazer with AC plugs.
So the Motorcraft plugs made in Germany are the best?

Brian
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 03:48 PM
  #9  
BajaGringo's Avatar
BajaGringo
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by M998
Did not know that about the Autolite glowplugs. I know that the glowplugs can swell but I thought that was from a bad timer that constantly heats the plug. I had this happen on a 6.2 diesel military blazer with AC plugs.
So the Motorcraft plugs made in Germany are the best?

Brian
So the Motorcraft plugs made in Germany are the best? YES, they should be THE ONLY brand that you use in these engines!!! The Motorcraft GPs can be left on for an hour(bench tested by someone on another forum) without any ill effects. Try that with a Autolite.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 04:12 PM
  #10  
cgrandahl64's Avatar
cgrandahl64
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: cold ole' minnesota
The Motorcraft GPs can be left on for an hour(bench tested by someone on another forum) without any ill effects. Try that with a Autolite.
Just so no one goes and jumps their gp relay, or runa manual swicth and burn out a plug(s) This statement is completely false, inherenttly the way a glow plug works it will burn itself out. A 6 volt plug ona 12 volt system will not last that long, never. I have played with this, and found that the autolites can last about 12-17 secs. The two motorcraft plugs lasted about 17-19 seconds before they quit drawing current. But the motorcraft are a much better product.
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 06:40 AM
  #11  
PLC7.3's Avatar
PLC7.3
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
I would advise you look at Ziggster40's web page before doing anything with Autolite GPs. http://www.members.shaw.ca/k2pilot/
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 10:28 AM
  #12  
M998's Avatar
M998
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: NC
Ewww I will change to Motorcrafts pronto. Thats what happens when you try to get out cheap you end spending more money in the end. I'm hard headed.
Thanks,
Brian
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 02:56 PM
  #13  
BajaGringo's Avatar
BajaGringo
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by cgrandahl64
Just so no one goes and jumps their gp relay, or runa manual swicth and burn out a plug(s) This statement is completely false, inherenttly the way a glow plug works it will burn itself out. A 6 volt plug ona 12 volt system will not last that long, never. I have played with this, and found that the autolites can last about 12-17 secs. The two motorcraft plugs lasted about 17-19 seconds before they quit drawing current. But the motorcraft are a much better product.
You are correct, I came here to correct the post as I read Ziggsters webpage this morning. He said 60 seconds, NOT 60 minutes. I apologize for the error. A 'Senior Moment' or 'Old Timer's Disease'. Baja
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 08:20 PM
  #14  
SomeGuyFromTEXAS's Avatar
SomeGuyFromTEXAS
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Does anyone know anything about the WAP glow plugs that are being sold on eBay. They say they are the only U.S. made glow plug made. They offer a 2 year free replacement and say they have dual coils and heat up faster and hotter, with a low failure rate. It is eBay item number # 8020598987. They seem cheap even with the shipping.
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 08:47 PM
  #15  
M998's Avatar
M998
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: NC
I seen these plugs and wondered about them myself. A company makes for the military a glowplug for the HMMWV/Hummers that is very similar. This could be the company. They are supposed to heat up faster and supposed to be nonswelling. I had only seen them forsale for the 6.2/6.5 chevy diesels until now.

Brian
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:04 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE