Changed my glow plugs

[Builttuff]

Well I finially changed my glow plugs. I have checked everything from batteries to my relay and everything was ok so I knew that it was either glow plugs or the wire harness. I was not wanting to replace the glow plugs after all the horror stories ive heard about them but I had no other option so I tore into it and was amazied how easy they were to change, only took two and a half hours. Anyone having problems with cold starting dont be intimidated buy them. Also if you have no other way to get started but to use starting fluid dont use very much. My glow plugs did swell a little as a result of me using starting fluid. If the tips swell too much the tip could pop off when you try to pull them out of the head. Oh by the way six out of eight were bad.

[SMKSTAX]

Glad to see it's not too difficult. How's it starting and running, good?

[Builttuff]

Well since it didnt have time to cool all the way down it started right up. You could sure tell when the relay turned all 8 glow plugs on though, all the lights dimmed more than they had been. Cant wait to get up in the morning and see if it starts up ok.

[SMKSTAX]

Cool, good job. Let us know how it does.

[Builttuff]

I planned on taking some pictures to help others but once I got started I became addicted to getting done and forgot. Plus its so simple you really dont need any pics. I did have a little film of oil in my intercooler tubes which makes me wonder how much oil is in the bottom of my intercooler.

[mzimmerman]

Hey guys, Mike here.

I just got on to this web sight last week after looking to see how tuff it would be to change glow plugs.

After finding some good info here, I dug in and did it last sunday.
No problems, 7 f 8 where bad, tested new ones going in, all above .6 ohms.

BTW it about 12 degrees in the morning here in Milwaukee.


I fly alot so I wanted to make sure everything was up to par so I would not be stranded in the airport some late night ,and the truck was starting hard!

Put in the glow plugs, went out the next morning and it still took about a minute of hard cranking before I finally got a Pop out of it.

Also had to have the throttle to the floor. If I lifted, it would kill.

Had power across the relay, figured maybe I wasnt getting the amperage across it from bad inner contacts, so I changed that last night.
This morning, 10 Degrees, had to crank for a minute or two before it would light. again throttle floored.

So, new GP's and Relay, and it still starts hard. Any Ideas? It did start with no out side help, but I remember this thing starting a lot easier then it is.

Batteries are good, all fuses must be ok, as it will start, just takes to long, as though the GP's are not working.
(Also new fuel filter)


Thanks
Mike

OBW, its a 99 with only 207k on it. Does not use oil, not much else ever done to it other then H20 pump, etc.

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Last edited by mzimmerman : 12-08-2007 at 08:29 AM. Reason: update info

[fordnut85]

When you turn the key on do you crank it as soon as the wait to start light goes out?? At that temp you will have to wait a little longer with the key on after the light goes out. Try turning the key on, wait for the light to go out, the wait another 30 sec and see how it does. I can almost bet it will fire up then.

[mzimmerman]

No, I wait about 30-40 second and even cycle it 2 or 3 times with absolutly no differance in out come.

[Builttuff]

Once the truck is warmed up and you shut it off, Will it start right back up. Like within a few minuts. What happens if you plug it in? Still hard to start?

[mzimmerman]

truck runs fine other wise. If I plug in, starts right up.