[londoner]

Hi all, have a question re glo plugs on 2001 Excursion 172,000 miles.

Glo plug # 3 is bad - can i replace just the faulty one or (as local Ford says) - must replace e them all for $500.

Would prefer to save $450 if I can

thanks

 

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Hi all, have a question re glo plugs on 2001 Excursion 172,000 miles.

Glo plug # 3 is bad - can i replace just the faulty one or (as local Ford says) - must replace e them all for $500.

Would prefer to save $450 if I can

thanks

Are you doing the work yourself? You can get the glow plugs pretty cheap. If you are having them do the work, I would at least replace all the glow plugs on the side that has the bad one. If not and you have another one go bad, you will have to pay the labor all over again.

 

[2MANYPROJ3CTS]

I replaced all the plugs on the pass side when I had the last one go bad. I'll do the driver's side later that side looks like a pain. (i already bought them)
I'm good with a wrench, but a diesel newb and it wasn't too bad. pull the valve covers and swap them out. no big deal.

 

[londoner]

Glo Plug replacement -

thanks for the feed back - i will take your advice and replace one side at least.

 

[TXSailor]

Most of the labor is getting the "valve covers" off and as pointed out the Driver's side is a PITA due to the "junk" in the way.

I have a bad GP at #! and #8 (so one on each bank but on opposite ends of the engine). I went ahead and bought a full set of 8 GP's (you can get them pretty cheaply but make usre you get Ford (ZD-11 or F4TZ-12A342-BAfor the 7.3L), as I have heard of problems with some of the "aftermarket" versions). I bought a whole set for $75. I have not tackled the job but all the estimates says 5 to 6 hours for both sides and all eight.

Also think about the interanal Electrical harness (F81Z-9D930-AB) that is under the cover as well. It get's "old" and stiff with age and heat so if you do have "connector" problems later, the labor would have to be redone. The harness is about $85.

I would reccomend if you crack one side, do them all and the harness. Provide your own parts and you can save a few $$$.

D

 

[Louiediesel]

are there any special tools need it ? my scaner is telling me 1-3-5-7 are bad I guess those are in the passenger side? I be thankful for any feedback also.

 

[EscaladeSteve]

I'm no expert but my gut feeling is if all the glow plugs are "bad" on the passenger side, it's probably your wiring harness. I've had to replace my wiring harness under the valve cover. It cooks and the insulation breaks down...so after a few years it starts to short and your truck runs like crap.

That harness controls the glow plugs and injectors and will ruin your day.

 

[TXSailor]

I agree w Escalade* - it's likely your harness if it reports all four (4) on the same bank.

Look for part # F81Z-9D930-AB. I got mine from K-MansParts (Rick Hill, SC)for $48. PartsGuyEd should be able to help you out as well.

I've not done the work but have one bad on each side so I ordered a full set of plugs and the harnesses. If I'm going to spend the time to crack the Valve covers, I only want to do it once in a blue moon!!!

 

[Louiediesel]

ok now the glow-plugs are under the valves cover,? and the harnesses all I need to do is just pull and snaps off? This is my first ford and runs bad when is cold but after a few minutes stars running fine, I looked a the harnesses and it looks ok but who knows

 

[TXSailor]

There are two (2) wiring harnesses for each side or bank of cylinders. There is an external wiring harness that you can see OUTSIDE the valve covers and then there is also one INSIDE or underneath the valve covers. They are connected togther via a plug at the base of the valve cover (where the gasket would be).

The external harness is not exposed to the same temperatures and demands as the interanal one. So the outside harness could be good but the problem might be in the connector between the two harnesses or in the internal harness which feeds power to the injectors and the Glow plugs.

D.

 

[londoner]

replaced all 8 plugs - harness OK - runs well again

thanks for the feedback

 

[TXSailor]

Londoner - did you do the work yourself? If so how long did it take you?

TNX, D

 

[londoner]

Sorry to say my skills are not there - i have trouble opening the hood!

I had a local mechanic (diesel specialist they say) do the work. Asked him to use Ford parts (2001 Exc 172K miles) but he said he had some from an English manufacturer that came with a lifetime warranty that he had used on several diesels and he thought they were better - who knows but he is a reputable guy.

he said they cost about $3 more than the Ford (each) so with a $450 job I figured why not!

Anyway - he says it took his guy half a day - whatever that is.

best of luck - great forum for those of us who "don't know ****" but need help

thanks everyone

 

[Louiediesel]

There are two (2) wiring harnesses for each side or bank of cylinders. There is an external wiring harness that you can see OUTSIDE the valve covers and then there is also one INSIDE or underneath the valve covers. They are connected togther via a plug at the base of the valve cover (where the gasket would be).

The external harness is not exposed to the same temperatures and demands as the interanal one. So the outside harness could be good but the problem might be in the connector between the two harnesses or in the internal harness which feeds power to the injectors and the Glow plugs.

D.

Thanks for the advice I did had the cover off and the both of the harnesses looked ok I want to replace the glow plugs in that side anyway, my question is do I need a special tool to get the harness out or can I just pull them off ?

 

[TXSailor]

I have not done it but I'm looking at my new harness now. It looks like the Glow Plug connectors are just "push on". Those you should be able to just pull off. They are White wires on my harness and larger than the Injecotr power wires.

The Injector connectors on my harness are held in place by a wire "spring clip". They are also just "push on" once the spring clip is pulled back.

The Harness to Harness connector has a plastic spring clip molded into it to keep them togther. It's also "keyed" so will only work one way. Jus tlift the plastic spring clip and pull the two connectors apart.

There are also a couple of "wire protectors/"secure" clips that keep the harness in place. Those just push into slots.

The injectors are threaded and have "large" pin connectors on the top.

 

[GIMAMMOTH]

there not bad to do.. took me about 30mins per side to do mine an i replaced the harness on the pass side at the same time.. change all 8 an get it over with.. the hardest part was getting the wires off the glow plug..

 

[EscaladeSteve]

Here are some detailed instructions thanks to this writeup from Marty:
http://www.powerstroke.org/forum/7-3-repair-help/40418-glow-plugs.html

 

[Twinjracing]

I did it on my 96 7.3 not bad havent had time to do my 01 ex. The harnes are just plug in but when i did mine i did every thing plugs harnes and valve cover gaskets sence they connect throu them. I just did not want to haft to re do work a little more money but peace of mind knowing it's all good. that was four years ago and my brother with the truck now still has no problems with them

 

[Louiediesel]

ok with my 05-350-6.0 the glows are below the cover, I wemt to replace them after all 4 in the pass side, filled with the harness and found a kink in one of the wires going the green connector check my scanner again and nothing is showing? I think maybe a wire or connector issue I may have?

 

[EscaladeSteve]

ok with my 05-350-6.0 the glows are below the cover, I wemt to replace them after all 4 in the pass side, filled with the harness and found a kink in one of the wires going the green connector check my scanner again and nothing is showing? I think maybe a wire or connector issue I may have?

REPLACE THE HARNESS UNDER THE VALVE COVER

When you straightened the kink you did not fix the problem. That wire is shorted and part of the insulation is damaged. Replace the harness and your problem is most likely solved. It sounds as if your glow plugs are fine as I mentioned in my previous post. :doh: