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#16
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Quote:
If the plug glows red instead of the required bright orange, what's the tip temperature? Would that tip temperature be acceptable for ignition if the ambient temperature doesn't get below, say 0 F? In my specific case, we rarely get down to 10 F. I have never changed a plug until I get an open reading on the meter. I have to conclude that I must have one..........or several.........."weak" plugs on the SD. Some have been in there for years. I never observe the SD start on four and with a subsequent check with the meter and fail to find an open plug. Although I would never disagree that the performance of five new plugs is certainly better, the cost of them is now close to $75. and, for those with limited funds and limited cold ambients, there might not be such a strong requirement for "brand spanking new". Food for thought. |
#17
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Considering the cost of a starter, replacing glow plugs once or twice in a decade seems like good prevenative maintenance.
Batteries are not cheap either.
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#18
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You make the assumption that weaker glow plugs correlate to longer cranking times. I'm not ready to make that conclusion for ambients of 10F or above on engines with decent compression. It may be eminently possible to achieve the same starting capability of brand new plugs via longer glow times to heat the air around the plug. You can heat it for a short time with a very hot plug or you can heat it for a longer period with a cooler plug.........same result. |
#19
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... that is a good point, autozoo now charges over 15per plug... and they have changed their policy towards aquiring $20.00 points to each $20 purchase must be outside 24 hours to qualify for adding to the card... bean counters must have realized we were breaking up our large purchases to get more credits on the card...
anyway, if you live in an area that gets below 15°F your block heater should be in TIP TOP shape, and it should be used!
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#20
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Seriously, an engine with good compression doesn't need a block heater down to about -10F. Some folks have started them even lower, which never ceases to amaze me. The variable of compression is huge in the whole scheme of things. If you have it, all the other players become somewhat moot. If you don't, you need all the other players, including the block heater, and white hot glow plugs, to assist. |
#21
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Same weather conditions this morning. Same starting procedure--count to 15 after glow light goes out. Fired right up, no hesitation at all.
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#22
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__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#23
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You apparently have in your past professional experience been involved in some fairly scientific testing proceedures on cars, so you have a professional instinct to do research before making an opinion about something automotive.....myself? I am just a guy trying to keep a 27 year old car on the road and avert an avoidable problem down the road a few months.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#24
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Way back in the day when I worked for Chrysler. However, in this discussion, I'm no different than you are...........just trying to keep the exact same 28 year old car running reliably as the daily driver. I don't even like taking the devil's advocate in this discussion since I can easily spend the money to change all five. I'm just not fully convinced of the need.............so, I haven't done it. |
#25
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And I'm conservative/cheap enough to replace them one at a time, particularly when I've got one spare one sitting in the toolbox and a whole set would require a trip to the parts store. Bosch glow plugs are $7.47 at Rock Auto
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#26
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I have never done the latter. I conclude, with limited data, that tip temperature is not relevant to a good start in my ambients, with my compression. |
#27
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Just for experimental purposes I wonder if tip temperature could be inferred from plug temperature when shot with an infrared thermometer from the outside with the plug glowing??
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#28
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Brian has a good point. I'm with Kerry, I also change out glow plugs if they are bad. I feel there is no sense in replacing them all if they are still working. I occasionally change out visually. But most of time I change them out based on an open condition.
Quote:
When I get them time, I'll test some extra glow plugs and see if I can use the laser temperature gun to determine the different tip temperatures. .
__________________
1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System |
#29
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Maybe if you could achieve equilibrium in about an hour.............maybe.............. |
#30
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To add fuel to the discussion: Last year when I had a weak plug--ohm out high but was not open, engine would still start but run unevenly for about 30 seconds. (maybe the temperatures weren't quite as cold--20's possibly) In this recent event, symptoms were much more severe with a completely open plug.
__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
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