glow plug replacement
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New User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 23
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From: canon city, colorado
glow plug replacement
i recently purchased a '97 f450 shuttle van, like the ones used at airports, it has a power stroke 7.3 which is hard to start, 251,000 miles. code resets but comes back. i heard the replacement of glow plugs and maybe the relay is wise, however, people warn the valve cover wiring can be fragile. has anyone done this on their own?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
yep but on a van unless you have the patience of God you might want to hire it out. they are a nightmare to work on with this huge engine it. there is a way to test the glow plugs, and the relay, but it also requires alot of diassembly of the engine compartment to even access what you need to access. The dog house needs to come off as well as the air filter housings and tubing. then I think you can see what you need to see. if you would liek to tackly this let me knwo and i can provide you with the tests.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
yep but on a van unless you have the patience of God you might want to hire it out. they are a nightmare to work on with this huge engine it. there is a way to test the glow plugs, and the relay, but it also requires alot of diassembly of the engine compartment to even access what you need to access. The dog house needs to come off as well as the air filter housings and tubing. then I think you can see what you need to see. if you would like to tackle this let me know and I can provide you with the tests.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
what codes are you asking about? do you have the numbers handy?
to test the GP relay you just need a test light and make sure with the key on both large terminals have power on them. one should be constant. the GPR is on the passenger side valve cover area right next to the fuel filter.
to test the Glow plugs/under vavle cover harness you need to be able to get to the 4 connectors that go intot he valve covers. each conenctor has 5 pins. the outside pins (both ends) are the glow plug pin
so it looks like this
1 2 3 4 5
- - - - -
1 and 5 are glow plugs. use an ohm meter with one lead on battery ground and then the othe to a pin. the ohm reading should be no more than 3-5 ohms. if they are less than 5 ohms they are good. if they are more than 5 ohms then either the GP is bad or the wiring is bad. either way the valve cover needs to come off and then test the harness and the glow plug seperate with the ohm meter.
Good luck!
to test the GP relay you just need a test light and make sure with the key on both large terminals have power on them. one should be constant. the GPR is on the passenger side valve cover area right next to the fuel filter.
to test the Glow plugs/under vavle cover harness you need to be able to get to the 4 connectors that go intot he valve covers. each conenctor has 5 pins. the outside pins (both ends) are the glow plug pin
so it looks like this
1 2 3 4 5
- - - - -
1 and 5 are glow plugs. use an ohm meter with one lead on battery ground and then the othe to a pin. the ohm reading should be no more than 3-5 ohms. if they are less than 5 ohms they are good. if they are more than 5 ohms then either the GP is bad or the wiring is bad. either way the valve cover needs to come off and then test the harness and the glow plug seperate with the ohm meter.
Good luck!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
no not familiar with accurate diesel. I live a bit south of bitely. How did you get hooked up with them being from CO?
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 23
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From: canon city, colorado
thanks, exactly what i needed and i will report back. ebay seller, glow plug set at $68.95, good price, so i called their number off their website and talked to tim, he was helpful.
your truck is awesome.
your truck is awesome.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: canon city, colorado
glow plugs, relay done
we had 10 hours each, 2 of us, installing new glow plugs and a relay. each of us took a side and it wasn't real bad, as we worked from inside the shuttle van.
one thing that did work well was to remove all of the air boxes, turbo piping, giving more room.
lesson: a standard 3/8 x 10 mm deep socket gets stuck around the injector and push rods, so we had to grind it down from the 10 mm end, making it all one size.
first start was pretty hard, after that it has started pretty good. we may have some old, bad diesel fuel also, as this thing sat for awhile, so we will fill up and add a additive.
thanks for the counsel.
one thing that did work well was to remove all of the air boxes, turbo piping, giving more room.
lesson: a standard 3/8 x 10 mm deep socket gets stuck around the injector and push rods, so we had to grind it down from the 10 mm end, making it all one size.
first start was pretty hard, after that it has started pretty good. we may have some old, bad diesel fuel also, as this thing sat for awhile, so we will fill up and add a additive.
thanks for the counsel.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 23
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From: canon city, colorado
true statement, and what appeared to be worse were the injectors. i just can't see how there is enough room to get them out, without taking the engine completely out. have you ever done injectors?
