How often to replace Glow Plugs?
#1
How often to replace Glow Plugs?
First, I was having the dealer service the truck the other day and as the Fuel Heater failed and would not let the truck start despite cranking hard. The tech told me all I had to do is disconnect it and it started right up - just a tip to everyone. While we were in there he also replaced the Glow Plug Relay as it was showing signs of rust, etc. Easy enough to do.
He then said I should consider replacing the glow plugs - even advised to do it perhaps every year. That seems to be quite frequent in my mind.
How often do you all replace the plugs? I live in northern MA and we do get our cold spells up here. Is there a way to tell when the glow plugs are on their way out. Like hard starts, etc.
He then said I should consider replacing the glow plugs - even advised to do it perhaps every year. That seems to be quite frequent in my mind.
How often do you all replace the plugs? I live in northern MA and we do get our cold spells up here. Is there a way to tell when the glow plugs are on their way out. Like hard starts, etc.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ardenvoir, Washington
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Well, mine are 10 years old and still working great..
You can ohm check them from the 9 pin connector on top of each valve cover to see if they are working.. SEE:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...and-p1316.html
You can ohm check them from the 9 pin connector on top of each valve cover to see if they are working.. SEE:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...and-p1316.html
#4
First, I was having the dealer service the truck the other day and as the Fuel Heater failed and would not let the truck start despite cranking hard. The tech told me all I had to do is disconnect it and it started right up - just a tip to everyone. While we were in there he also replaced the Glow Plug Relay as it was showing signs of rust, etc. Easy enough to do.
He then said I should consider replacing the glow plugs - even advised to do it perhaps every year. That seems to be quite frequent in my mind.
How often do you all replace the plugs? I live in northern MA and we do get our cold spells up here. Is there a way to tell when the glow plugs are on their way out. Like hard starts, etc.
He then said I should consider replacing the glow plugs - even advised to do it perhaps every year. That seems to be quite frequent in my mind.
How often do you all replace the plugs? I live in northern MA and we do get our cold spells up here. Is there a way to tell when the glow plugs are on their way out. Like hard starts, etc.
#5
#6
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ardenvoir, Washington
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
I would say it depends. If you start and stop it many times a day, probably a couple of years. If you start it and leave it run all day, much longer. Each time you start it, you wear it out a little more. So, miles are not an issue since it isn't turned on soon after the truck starts.
Trending Topics
#8
#9
I would say it depends. If you start and stop it many times a day, probably a couple of years. If you start it and leave it run all day, much longer. Each time you start it, you wear it out a little more. So, miles are not an issue since it isn't turned on soon after the truck starts.
I'd say do the ohm test and only replace them when they're bad. Make sure to re-torque the rockers & injectors while you're in there doing that.
#10
#12
If the engine is cold, then the glow plug operation is controlled by the PCM, and the length of time is determined by the oil temps, ambient air temps, and baro sensor. At that time will the glow plugs engage before you crank, and will continue to stay on after the truck has started. This can be just a few seconds, or as long as 2 minutes, depending on temps and altitude.
So if you start and stop your truck all day long, the glow plugs are probably only activating once the entire day.
As for when to replace them, once a year is waaaaaaayyyy excessive. I have 120K miles on my truck and still have the original glow plugs. I do have one or two that are on their way out, but the truck still starts fine so I've been too lazy to change them out yet.
Also, there's no sense in changing out one or two at a time. Change them all if you already have the valve covers off. You'll want to do that job as few times as possible, since it's kind of a pain anyway. But only dive in there once you've determined that enough glow plugs are burnt up, and it's getting harder to start.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Y2KW57
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
59
01-29-2017 01:44 PM
67camaro
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
15
07-09-2016 11:12 AM
Resendiz
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
5
11-12-2015 06:58 AM
tpolley
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
32
12-09-2009 09:47 PM