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GP's and other issues

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Old Oct 4, 2006 | 04:56 PM
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GP's and other issues

Since I'm quit new to this diesel stuff and trying to cram all this knowledge in my head, I'm wondering how often the GP's have to be changed, and if they were bad GP's, how could you tell? Is there a rattle sound etc? Also, when I turn the key, that light comes on and then after it turns off, THEN the motor starts making that clicking sound.

The truck always starts perfect, but I had driver a similar diesel pickup earlier this summer, and when I turned the key and the light came on, the clicking on that truck was like twice as fast as mine? Is there a problem with my motor, or is it just working perfectly?

thanks
 
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Old Oct 4, 2006 | 08:28 PM
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Does anybody know or what?
 
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Old Oct 4, 2006 | 10:05 PM
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What year is your truck?

Sounds like normal glow plug operation for 87 and later trucks.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 09:50 AM
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I seem to go thru a new set of glowplugs every 60k to 70k miles. Once the first plug burns out I just change them all at once.

Seb...
 
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 10:47 AM
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my truck is an 89 7.3
 
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 03:55 PM
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Hmm...well maybe I'm faced with a slight engine overhaul. Beings as my coolant needs to be changed...oil needs to be switched to 0W-30, and I got a steering hose leak.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 04:19 PM
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You meant to say "tune-up"?
 
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 06:03 PM
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Hahahaha ya thats it.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2006 | 11:10 PM
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The 89 glow plug system uses resistance feedback to time the glow cycle.
Even one burnt out glow plug can mess the cycle time up.

To check the glow plugs, use an automotive test light.
Clip the ground clip on a positive battery terminal and touch the tip to the negative terminal to make sure you have a good connection.
Now remove the connector from a glow plug.
Touch the tip of the testor to the glow plug terminal, if the light lights the glow plug is good, if it does not light the glow plug needs replaced.
Continue till you check them all this way.

Autozone had Motorcraft/Beru ZD 9 glow plugs for 9.99 each.
Only use Motorcraft/Beru ZD 9 glow plugs in an 87 thru 94 IDI engine, the others will cause you problems you do not want.
 
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 04:32 PM
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Ah! Finally a straight answer, you're awesome Dave. I'm gonna try this out this weekend to see what the outcome will be. I'm pretty sure all my plugs are working. But its just when I turn the key the light stays on for about 5 seconds or more, is that normal?
 
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Old Oct 6, 2006 | 08:20 PM
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Should be about 10 seconds, but that also depends on the temp of the engine.
Colder should be a little longer, warmer should be a little shorter.

Glow plug life also depends on how many times you start your engine every day and what climate you live in.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 07:32 PM
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Well I live in the arctic...so its very dry up here in the winter. The humidity goes down to about 30-40%. I guess my engine is in tip top, theres no hard starting. Hey dave, this is kind of off topic but I got a little sludge buildup on the left side of the block about half way down on the block. Its just below the heater core lines that go into the cab. Could that be the head gasket starting to go?
 
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 09:48 PM
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They could be seeping. It could also be the lift pump gasket leaking and blowing back on the engine while you drive. Air flow under the hood and under the chassis does strange things with leaking fluids, makes finding out where they are coming from hard to find.
 
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Old Oct 7, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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So where in the Arctic are you exactly........

The location of the sludge would be the Pax side (passenger side) most people are facing the engine from the front when refering to locations. Your problem could be a coolant leak or valve cover (more than likely).
 
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 11:57 AM
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well the sludge is coming from the seems halfway down on the block like I said, where all the bolts connect to connect the top and bottom piece of the block. So PLC, you're probably right about that, but it looks sludgy...almost like an oil buildup. I could post some pics if you want and you'l know what I mean. I don't think it's a coolant leak though. As as far as where I live, I live in the NWT, up in Yellowknife. What exactly IS a valve cover, and whats it cost to repair?
 
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