GLOW PLUG MAINTENANCE

[Inspector 1]

I have been reviewing a lot of conversations about very difficult glow plug removal. Is it better to replace glow plugs on a regular maintenance type schedule long before they become a problem and if so what would that replacement schedule be?

 

[papakb]

The glow plugs in a normal system last for years. I think I changed to the newer non-swelling type maybe 12+ years ago so they do not need to be changed out on a regular cycle. Occasionally you will have one fail but it's not an indication that all of them are getting ready to go. Make sure you observe good electrical practices when working on your truck and make sure your electrical connections are all clean and tight.

Disconnect your batteries any time your doing more that swapping out a lightbulb to protect the control box.

 

[Inspector 1]

The glow plugs in a normal system last for years. I think I changed to the newer non-swelling type maybe 12+ years ago so they do not need to be changed out on a regular cycle. Occasionally you will have one fail but it's not an indication that all of them are getting ready to go. Make sure you observe good electrical practices when working on your truck and make sure your electrical connections are all clean and tight.

Disconnect your batteries any time your doing more that swapping out a lightbulb to protect the control box.

The individual That I bought my HMMWV from last year told me that he recently replaced all the glow plugs. He also gave me a bag with 8 extra glow plugs. How can I tell if they are the non swelling type glow plug?

 

[Milcommoguy]

They all will open circuit, swell up, melt, blow out, split, maybe even break off... if given too long of an on time.

ON CYCLE TIME and at CHARGED battery voltage is the killer. There's a bit more to it that that... but glow plugs are basically a "short circuit" turning electron into a quick toaster.

The PCB is the ON CYCLE TIME controller. If the CPU hiccups or brain farts, relay sticks, FET's give up the smoke with ON time... POOF.

20 seconds ON and NO off time and POOF. Eight times ten dollars, another POOF out of the wallet... IF your lucky.

Simplified for lack of bandwidth and time. POOF, CAMO

 

[86humv]

POOF !

 

[Inspector 1]

The glow plugs in a normal system last for years. I think I changed to the newer non-swelling type maybe 12+ years ago so they do not need to be changed out on a regular cycle. Occasionally you will have one fail but it's not an indication that all of them are getting ready to go. Make sure you observe good electrical practices when working on your truck and make sure your electrical connections are all clean and tight.

Disconnect your batteries any time your doing more that swapping out a lightbulb to protect the control box.

These are the glow plugs that were given to me when I purchased HMMWV last year. They look like they are used so I'm assuming that they were taken out and replaced with new. Are these non-swelling or standard glow plugs? On the left side of pic 4 have a longer tip. Any reason for this? I appreciate the glow plug education 101.

 

[Gear Report]

There is lots of info on glow plugs, the mythical non-swelling GPs, how to test them, etc. in here: https://gear-report.com/help-hmmwv-wont-start-humvee-glow-plug-start-system-maintenance/

 

[Inspector 1]

There is lots of info on glow plugs, the mythical non-swelling GPs, how to test them, etc. in here: https://gear-report.com/help-hmmwv-wont-start-humvee-glow-plug-start-system-maintenance/

Great Article!! Thank you.