Glow plug replacement

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Oct 22, 2006 | 01:50 PM

#16

tjbeggs

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 12,835

Likes: 3

From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodakford

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-7-3L-POWER-STROKE-GLOW-PLUG-TEST-HARNESS-9-PIN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33693QQihZ019QQitem Z8055905740QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

Here is that harness referred to in the Ford manual. When my truck wouldn't start, I found the L/H bank of glow plugs ohmed out between 1.8-2.1 ohms and the R/H ohmed out between .2 and .3 ohms. Changed out the L'H glow plugs and truck started right up. Wonder why Mitchel on Demands states less then 20 is good?

your guess is as good as mine why mitchell says 20 and under good. personally i have never seen any that were over 2 ohms unless they were open and junk. I have found mitchell to be wrong before. And even i have been wrong atleast once.
and majority wins so if over 2 ohms send em packin. but certainly before you pull valve covers test them.

Oct 23, 2006 | 01:43 PM

#17

cangim

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 3,595

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From: Utah County, UT

Personally, the reason for glow plugs is HEAT, i.e. wattage. if your getting 20, you are only getting about 3 watts to heat the chamber, say with 1 ohm you are getting 144W to heat the chamber, now say its 10 degrees out, which one do you want in your truck to make it start? (this is all easy math an just example)

I say if one is out, who cares if the truck starts, if it doesn't start, replace them all as price for one glow plug sure beats doing it 8 times over just to save a few dollars. when down the road you know they will need to be done. Personally, if it is over 2 ohms, I say it is on its way out.

Oct 23, 2006 | 07:49 PM

#18

Dsl Lover

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Northwest OH

So, for a first time glow plug changer, how long should it take me to do the whole set?

For $70, is there any reason not to replace them all? I have not tested them, but I know that I have a few bad.

Oct 23, 2006 | 09:32 PM

#19

cangim

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 3,595

Likes: 0

From: Utah County, UT

I would schedule about 4 hours to do the whole thing if you have never done it before. Then again, I seem to have a x3 factor, I think maybe 30 mins, turns into an hour and a half long project, but 4 should be sufficient to replace the GPs. The longest part is taking the parts off the top of the engine and removing the valve covers. Shy of that, if you have the covers off, I'd replace them all, or at least if you replace some in one side, replace all four in that side.

Oct 24, 2006 | 05:55 AM

#20

lancer

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 803

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From: Bobcaygeon Ont.

Yup 4 hours is how long it took me my first time. I would change them all. Than you know your good to go!

Oct 24, 2006 | 02:34 PM

#21

ex-wolverine

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 73

Likes: 0

From: Idaho

What brand do you guys recommend??

And do you reccomend replaceing the valve cover gaskets also

Tom

Oct 24, 2006 | 02:41 PM

#22

Kwikkordead

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 25,090

Likes: 1,111

From: Rio Rico, AZ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex-wolverine

And do you reccomend replaceing the valve cover gaskets also

Tom

That's what I did, along with the wiring under the valve covers. Mine were shot because they were routed in such a way that the glow plug wires were rubbing on the pushrods. They shorted out and burned the pass through connector on the valve cover gaskets. My hand (wallet) was forced when I did that job.

Oct 24, 2006 | 03:14 PM

#23

ponch37300

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 947

Likes: 1

Where is the best place to get glow plugs and valve cover gaskets. thanks

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Oct 24, 2006 | 06:18 PM

#24

lancer

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 803

Likes: 0

From: Bobcaygeon Ont.

Deffinently use Ford replacements! Do not use Autolites!! Mine had them and 3 fell apart when i removed them!! As for the vc gaskets i tested mine with a ohm meter and all wires were fine so i reused them. None of my wires were rubbing so all was good!

Oct 24, 2006 | 07:20 PM

#25

ex-wolverine

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 73

Likes: 0

From: Idaho

Do you mean that you ohm checked the wires???

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancer

It kind of reads like you ohmed the gaskets...Were you gaskets ok to re-use

Thanks

Oct 25, 2006 | 05:59 AM

#26

lancer

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 803

Likes: 0

From: Bobcaygeon Ont.

Yes you can check the wires for breaks. Put one test lead in the end of the wire that goes on the glow plug and the other were the wire harness plugs in. If there is any bad wires it will show up here. You can wiggle the wires and see if the #s fluctuate. If they do you have a break in the wire.