When do you quit "glowing?" (POLL) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ajrn · #1 03-27-2009, 07:46 AM

Having replaced 4 of 5 glow plugs, and a starter motor, probably because I waited so long.. I've been acutely aware of my "cold" starting.. Used to be, I pretty much only "preglowed" when temps were BELOW 32F, and maybe took two hits on the starter some mornings as a penalty for not doing it..

Changing glow plugs is easier than the starter-- ask anyone who's done them both..

Do you:

Pre-glow your "cold" engine:

Always? Below 50F, 40F, 30F, other??

A question as well.. DO the "afterglow" relay equipped vehicles glow ANYTIME the engine is cold, since they use a temp sensor to "disable" it??

toomany MBZ · #2 03-27-2009, 07:48 AM

Always.
I don't know.

::matthew · #3 03-27-2009, 08:29 AM

I do it every time I start the car...it's usually just a few seconds, but I always give it that.

Hogweed · #4 03-27-2009, 08:39 AM

i've always let it glow even in the summer; i guess it is a habit!

Chad300tdt · #5 03-27-2009, 08:40 AM

I ALWAYS glow until the glow light goes out. Under 35 I glow until the relay clicks off, reset the glow and start when the light goes out. In single digit temps, I glow twice until the relay clicks off, reset the glow and start when the light goes out.

The afterglow systems don't turn off based on a temp sensor as far as I understand. They have an extended timer and avoid being cut off when you start the car. The temp sensor tells the glow light when to shut off since the "Ready-to-start" condition is reached.

POS · #6 03-27-2009, 08:41 AM

Always.

vstech · #7 03-27-2009, 08:42 AM

yeah, like chad said. always, and often double it up. when it's gonna be below 30 F outside, I plug it into the block heater as well...

mplafleur · #8 03-27-2009, 09:34 AM

I'm assuming that by pre-glow, you mean waiting until the glow cycle is over and glow again, or wait until long after the glow light goes out.

pawoSD · #9 03-27-2009, 10:28 AM

I always glow at least as long as the light stays on.....when its real cold I'll wait another 10-15 seconds beyond that.

Biodiesel300TD · #10 03-27-2009, 10:36 AM

I always glow mine. At least until the light goes out. A 30sec glow may "shorten" their life span and opposed to not using them. But that is what they are made for, and its better for the engine.

JimmyL · #11 03-27-2009, 10:43 AM

I glow with every start of the car. Length of glow time may vary, but at least until the light goes out when temps are warmer....
It is simply what I do while buckling the seat belt. I like routine!

zu! · #12 03-27-2009, 10:46 AM

I glow as long as there's a light. Start when the light goes off. The only time I don't is if its been off for just a few minutes...like maybe after filling up. Even then, the old habit of waiting till the light goes off is hard to break.

LUVMBDiesels · #13 03-27-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I ALWAYS glow until the glow light goes out. Under 35 I glow until the relay clicks off, reset the glow and start when the light goes out. In single digit temps, I glow twice until the relay clicks off, reset the glow and start when the light goes out.

The afterglow systems don't turn off based on a temp sensor as far as I understand. They have an extended timer and avoid being cut off when you start the car. The temp sensor tells the glow light when to shut off since the "Ready-to-start" condition is reached.

Whenever the car sits overnight I left it glow until the light goes out. When it is cold outside I let it glow for 45 seconds before cranking.
The afterglow system I rigged up keeps the plugs hot until they time out unless the coolant is over 50 degrees C If the coolant is over this temperature, they plugs go out when you crank the starter. However, they always go on when you turn the key to position #2...

Jeremy5848 · #14 03-27-2009, 11:40 AM

I almost always glow, unless the engine has only been off for a minute or two. Given the high compression of a diesel, I figure that anything I can do to help it start easily and quickly will be good for the longevity of the engine.

Jeremy

peterhardie · #15 03-27-2009, 11:45 AM

ditto the comments about below 20degrees, I let the relay timeout twice in single digits.

My wife catches me glowing the 400 as well.

"Uh, honey, this is not the diesel!"

View Poll Results: When do you "preglow?"
Always when having sit overnight or longer	47	78.33%
Below 50F (10C)	4	6.67%
below 40F (4.44C)	2	3.33%
below 32F (0 C)	2	3.33%
other??	12	20.00%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll