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Antoher glow plug question...

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Old Nov 23, 2008 | 09:12 PM
  #1  
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Antoher glow plug question...

Ok, so I did a search on GP and found that my truck having white smoke pumping out the exhaust and hard to start sounds like it is the GP.

So here is my 2 part question, from what I have found most people like the Ford factory GP, is there another brand that is also as good or better, Bosch, autolite???

When replacing GP should you just replace the ones that are bad or is it better to replace the entire set (8) GP together???

Just so you know, my truck has 138K miles on it and I have never replaced the GP since I bought the truck with 63K miles.

One more thing since I am asking. The GP relay, the unit under the hood next the right VC, how do you tell if that unit is bad or going bad???

Thanks Doc.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2008 | 09:29 PM
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To test the relay just turn the key to the on position don't start it and go check to see if you have voltage on the glow plug side of the relay. You should have battery voltage on the main side at all times just like a starter solenoid and with the key on have it on the other side(glow plug) for about 2 1/2 minutes.

Oh and if it was me and the glow plugs are bad and not the relay(but I would say it is the relay more than likely) I would just replace them all that way you know they are all good and don't have to replace the others a short time later.
 
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Old Nov 23, 2008 | 10:07 PM
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Thanks for the answer about the relay and GP's... I was thinking the same thing but thught that I would ask you guys...

The next thing I need to check while I am in there is the injectors. I have no idea how many miles a person can drive on them before they need either pro cleaned or replaced???

Thanks Doc.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by DR JOE
I have no idea how many miles a person can drive on them before they need either pro cleaned or replaced???
Dunno. If you have a lot of water and crap in your fuel, maybe 10000 miles. If not people have gone over 200K without a hiccup. Again, those are extreme cases but you get the picture. On my MB diesel, we have 1 bad injector (dirty) after 100K but the other 5 were fine. I would say leave it alone unless you are sure you have a problem or you are ready to mod. My injectors were fine and I changed them out at 100K simply because I was going to Stage II AC code injectors. I would say that you need them pro cleaned if there really is a fuel delivery problem so unless you are in that area, do nothing. Don't let them sell you the snake oils that are supposed to clean the injectors, make your teeth white and cure the common cold. Those are like sweeping a room in the dark. You never know if you got it all or there is some left.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 11:12 PM
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Thanks guys...

Also is there a good place/FTE sponsors that sell GP at a good price, that I should contact???

Doc.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 11:23 PM
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Hey Doc,

Here's my cheat sheet for checking the GPR.

 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 09:22 AM
  #7  
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Doc- Ebay is the best place to buy the GP's, you can get sets of 8 for around $50-60.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 09:46 AM
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Here's a good writeup on Glow Plugs from Jim (Megawatt)

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...pr-system.html

Stick with the ZD-11 Motorcraft plugs or the Bosch. I've read that the Autolite ones are not good.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 08:54 PM
  #9  
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Payson thanks for the picture and Ponyboychris thanks for the link... Great write up...

Man do I love this web site...

Doc.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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Guess I'm slow getting in on this thread, but I've got over 273k on all 8 of my stock injectors.

I am a believer in fuel additives, which is the stuff our friend aklim calls snake oil.

More importantly, I'm a firm believer in regular oil changes since our injectors are fired off of engine oil.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by F350-6
I am a believer in fuel additives, which is the stuff our friend aklim calls snake oil.
Believing in somthing is accepting it as truth WITHOUT formal proof. Soon as the can show me something that is indisputable, I'll accept it. So yes, they are snake oils to me.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Believing in somthing is accepting it as truth WITHOUT formal proof. Soon as the can show me something that is indisputable, I'll accept it. So yes, they are snake oils to me.
Well I would have bet you that my stock injectors would last more miles than yours, but I know you were too impatient for that kind of test and already put new sticks in.

As I said, I'm a firm believer in it, and I know you're not. I just hope you stick to your guns on this argument so others can hear both sides of the story and make up their own mind.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2008 | 07:59 PM
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Ok so after doing some looking on ebay as some one had suggested I found this set of GP.

eBay Motors: Ford Powerstroke 7.3 Turbo Diesel Glow Plug Plugs (item 160301459196 end time Dec-07-08 13:10:33 PST)

Has anyone used this brand of GP before?? I also found a set of Bosch GP but they were in the $100.00 range and did not know if they were worth the extra money or not???

Doc.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2008 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by DR JOE
Ok so after doing some looking on ebay as some one had suggested I found this set of GP.

eBay Motors: Ford Powerstroke 7.3 Turbo Diesel Glow Plug Plugs (item 160301459196 end time Dec-07-08 13:10:33 PST)

Has anyone used this brand of GP before?? I also found a set of Bosch GP but they were in the $100.00 range and did not know if they were worth the extra money or not???

Doc.
I would get these ZD 11s for $69.90 Buy It Now + $9.90 shipping LINK
 
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Old Nov 30, 2008 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by PaysonPSD
I would get these ZD 11s for $69.90 Buy It Now + $9.90 shipping LINK
I second that.
 
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