How does a 2001 F350 Diesel ignite?

[gemniii]

I'm trying to buy a 2001 F350 dually. I asked about maintenance and glow plugs.

The guy writes "the only records that i know is what ive done . i am the 2nd owner and i know the guy that owned it. he had the complete front end re-built at 200,000 and the transmission was re-built at the same time. The 7.3 does not have glo plugs ."

I thought all the 7.3's had glow plugs, what does the 2001 use?

I checked Rock Auto and they sell glow plugs for it

thanks

[coot1]

It does have glow plugs under the covers on each side of the motor. They are not required for it to run. They help it start in colder temperatures.

[NoRalPh]

It does have glowplugs, but they have nothing to do with ignition but rather an aid in the cold start (the colder it is, the more necessary they are...)

Diesel engines ignite the charge because of the high heat that's created during the compression cycle (that compression is Much higher than a gas engine. In fact, gas would ignite too )

[ridiculously_necessary]

hes confused. he probably saw the AIH (Air Intake Heater) and made an assumption. or someone gave him bad info.

this likely means hes never changed them. jot that down on a maintenace list for yourself. or at least ohm them out.

EDIT: better yet, make a bet with him, take $x off the price if your right. he gets full price if your wrong.

[03_Turbo7.3]

yup..theres 8 of them LOL ask him what that big GPR relay is on the pass side by the AIH relay..

[gemniii]

Thanks, that's what I suspected. My '88 7.3 sat outside all winter because it wouldn't fire. I suspect I need to replace the plugs again.

Last time I got the '88 to fire (last fall) I used some "diesel" approved starting fluid and after it warmed up I could turn it off and start it again while warm. So in my mind it does use the glow plugs to ignite in colder temps.

I just wanted to check where I think the people know it all to make sure Ford had not sneaked in some one of a kind fuel/cylinder preheat so it did not need glow plugs at all.

I'm just concerned that if someone does all the maintenance himself and claims the vehicle does not have glow plugs WHAT else would he be likely to miss?

Tranny fluid? Lube points?

[03_Turbo7.3]

well glow plugs do go bad, the GPR usually fails first, you can check to see if the GPR is working first.

Well the trucks used, id be going over everything on it!

[gemniii]

I looked around on the forum for a "trusted mechanics list", is there one?

I'd be willing to pay for someone else trustworthy to give an estimate of the vehicle.