can you start w/o glow plugs in hot climates?
 

can you start a 2.5L without glow plugs on a hot day? I think that would save on glow plugs. Right now all I have to do is bump the key and it's started. My GMC 6.5 requires at least 5 to 6 seconds of cranking before it catches hot or cold.

If you're currently doing it, then isn't the answer yes?

I don't use the glow plugs on my 200TD this time of year.

my glos haven't been working in 7 yrs, if its winter I use the bloch heater

nope, I still wait for the lamp to go out. but I'm going to give it a try and let you guys know

Theoretically you should always use the plugs. It puts the least strain on the starter that way. Glow plugs are cheap and easy (relatively speaking) starters aren't.... But that's just my 2 cents

My 617 really likes to get glowed. If I do it fires right up. If it's really warm it will start w/o but as a race truck that's only after the run.

My Dodge, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care if it glows or not. Sometimes in the winter (like, 32*F around here) it generally fires up w/o a glow so I often forget to do so.

Dan

I agree 100%

I could even start my 350SDL w/o glow plugs but I needed to have a well-charged battery and an engine warmed by the block heater or it would not work.

That's because all the GPs went out after a while, and nI didn't get around to changing them. Now that's a summer project, lol.


My 2 x 6.2L engines fire up when glowed. Without, it's a strain.

the strangest way I heard of to start a CAT was to wrap a rag around a stick, soak it in some flammable liquid, set it on fire and hold it over the intake and let it suck some fire in to start it. Safer than an ether start I guess

The bigger diesels don't need glows. The cummins (at least mine) doesn't have glows but has a intake air heater I believe. Unless its really cold it does not seem to care much if you use the glows. I always use them on the little benz diesels. They always seem to labor without good glow action.

The 124 2.5t requires lifting the engine a few inches to remove the starter about a 4-5 hour job. Changing glow plugs is about 2.5 hours without cleaning the intake. I favor let it work like designed.

5 Hours to change a starter?!?!?! I'm getting the kids to push start this bastard

My 80 240D hardly needs much of a glow to start in the morning, and the rest of the day, she kicks right over.

The 300D was another story, she needs a full glow to get her going in the morning, and then she requires it anytime later on during the day.

Now the 86 F250 6.9, needs a glow in the morning, but the rest of the day none is really required. Barely hit the Key and she fires.
This past winter was another story, had to stick a heat gun down the Intake to get her to belch smoke, rattle and bang to life.
have one wire rusted off the GP and maybe another not working.
Have the new Motor Craft Plugs, but so rusty at the threads, makes me a bit nervous to start twisting.


Now my Datsun Diesel needs a full glow no matter how warm she is. Been like that since new.
Charlie

My buddy has a 7.3 Ford?Navistar and he has to glow for every start, even with a warm engine in the heat of summer. I guess some engines need it a lot, some a little, and some rarely. I wonder if it's a function of combustion chamber design, fuel delivery, or ??

Interesting that Charlie's 240D fires right up but the 300D (seemingly the same engine + 1 cylinder) needs it all the time. Is it variable from engine to engine of inherent in certain configurations?

Head scratching.......

Dan

Cylinder condition... 450 psi compression will fire up without plugs... 200 psi, not so much...

I recommend to use the glow plugs for the cost reasons already pointed out, AND because the more cranking with fuel injecting but no firing results in more soot formation and oil contamination, which aren't going to help the engine in the long run.