When do you change Glow plugs?

[edpdx]

Been driving my M1009 since late summer. Starts right up gets good mileage. Been adding some of the additives mentioned here to see what works best for me.

I hate to get stuck with GPs going bad on the road, so I figured I would see about changing them with new AC Delcos. I hear that GPs do swell, so I just want to replace them before I need to so I know what I have- I'll log it in to the maintenance book.

When do yours get changed?

 

[JDToumanian]

Personally, when one burns out I change them all. One glow plug going out will not leave you stranded.... Several burning out will not leave you stranded either, it will just make it harder to cold start. They aren't going to all spontaneously fail at the same time, so I don't think you have much to worry about.

Jon

 

[markg]

Personally, when one burns out I change them all.

Jon

i dont think most folks would do that when plugs cost around 8$ apiece. to check any one plug, unplug the wire lead, put your test light on a 12v source and check for continuity to ground. test light light's, glow plug is probably ok, doesn't light, pull it and change it, 10mm deep socket. thanks, mark

 

[91W350]

When I lose one, I just change them all as well. Usually when I get a new to me CUCV I change the glow plugs with the initial fluid change. Glen

 

[doghead]

As PM, I check mine (with an ohm meter) every 6 months or, anytime I notice it takes slightly longer to start than the last time or, whenever I smell diesel fuel after starting or,when the wait to start light seems to be different than the last time, or before I head out for a road trip.

I would put new GPs in a newly purchased vehicle, then maintain a working system. Do you change everylightbulb at once at regular intervals? I don't.

I carry a small inexpensive DMM in the truck along with box of spare(new) GPs and a 10mm deep socket.

Keep in mind, with stock wiring(24v though the resistor on the fire wall), they can and will ALL burn out at once when one goes bad, or a wire falls off. Not every time, you might catch it or notice it started different, but that is the "downfall" to the stock setup. I prefer to resupply with 12v, to eliminate this possibility.

 

[markg]

so glen, not to hijack the thread but where did you find your low mile 1009? i bought one with 3600 miles from a drug task force here in texas, came to them new from the army, they could not wrap there arms around the 24v electrical system enough to keep it running so they sold it. it still had the new car smell. thanks. mark

i bought 2 new suburbans in cheney ,ks from the chevy dealer a few yrs ago. one of them lost the trans with 100 miles on it. the dealer in salina had to order a replacement, and i came back in a couple of weeks to pick it up. no trouble after that.

 

[doghead]

My "wifes" 1008 hit 50,000 miles, it almost makes me cry. 25,000 so far and nearly trouble free. I need another!

 

[markg]

My "wifes" 1008 hit 50,000 miles, it almost makes me cry. 25,000 so far and nearly trouble free. I need another!

thats a lot of diesel at 3.09 gallon, with 4.56 gears.

the truck's need an overdrive like gear vendors.

 

[Cucvnut]

Dh's wife's M1008 has 37's on it

 

[doghead]

Still alot of fuel! Every 120 miles, fill'er up. (highway speeds). It sure helps to get out every 2 hours, on an 18 hour drive.

today, diesel is $3.50/gal here

 

[markg]

Still alot of fuel! Every 120 miles, fill'er up. (highway speeds). It sure helps to get out every 2 hours, on an 18 hour drive.

today, diesel is $3.50/gal here

i hope you installed some music. i found one of those shelfs that hangs under the visors . room for lots of stuff up there including speakers without punching holes.

 

[edpdx]

markg, Are you talking about the "shelf-it"? I was looking at that. They still make them for our blazers/trucks. As I sat in my Blazer today though, I envisioned the shelf, with the new location for the visors. I took into account how much of the top view I would be losing. It does seem to chop off way too much for a six footer like me. How can you see the traffic signal. It seems ideal until you find yourself craning your neck to see out.

 

[markg]

markg, Are you talking about the "shelf-it"? I was looking at that. They still make them for our blazers/trucks. As I sat in my Blazer today though, I envisioned the shelf, with the new location for the visors. I took into account how much of the top view I would be losing. It does seem to chop off way too much for a six footer like me. How can you see the traffic signal. It seems ideal until you find yourself craning your neck to see out.

ill have to take a picture when i get time. i dont drive my truck on the road, its not a problem for me and im 6'2. thanks. mark

 

[91W350]

so glen, not to hijack the thread but where did you find your low mile 1009? i bought one with 3600 miles from a drug task force here in texas, came to them new from the army, they could not wrap there arms around the 24v electrical system enough to keep it running so they sold it. it still had the new car smell. thanks. mark

i bought 2 new suburbans in cheney ,ks from the chevy dealer a few yrs ago. one of them lost the trans with 100 miles on it. the dealer in salina had to order a replacement, and i came back in a couple of weeks to pick it up. no trouble after that.

GL out of Jefferson City.....it is really not low miles, just a new odometer... I paid up for it, but at least it was complete and runs great. It now has the million mile odometer instead of the original 100K one.

 

[Cucvnut]

Still alot of fuel! Every 120 miles, fill'er up. (highway speeds). It sure helps to get out every 2 hours, on an 18 hour drive.

today, diesel is $3.50/gal here

I paid 3.53 for diesel the other day it sucks. I still want a od trans mission with my 37's maybe a 4l80e someday with a stand alone controller and my 205

 

[67_C-30]

When I lose one, I just change them all as well. Usually when I get a new to me CUCV I change the glow plugs with the initial fluid change. Glen

Ditto. I've found that once they start going, it is not going to be long all of them start going. Also, I don't want the hassle of tracking down the bad ones. I'd rather pay $80 every 3 or 4 years and not have to worry about them.

 

[edpdx]

67_C-30, Thanks for your advice. That is what I want to hear. I'll pull a few and see the overall condition, as I have no idea when they were last changed. I think I'll just go ahead and put in a whole fresh set and start from there. If you think they should be good for three to four years, I'll see how they hold up.

What are the things I can do to avoid abuse to them and prolong their life- in good condition?

 

[BKubu]

As soon as I get a truck, I change the glow plugs and replace them with non-swelling glow plugs. it is part of my initial maintenance. If you end up with a swollen glow plug, and you have any trouble getting it out, you will wish you had changed them. They make a tool to remove swollen glow plugs, but it is possible that pieces will break off. Then, the fun starts. Glow plugs are not that expensive. I believe that a set of the correct non-swelling glow plugs goes for around $100-120 on ebay.

 

[ranchhopper]

I have noticed when several GPs burn out the wait light seems to stay on longer. I replace all of them when I first buy a truck and test the old ones and keep the good ones. As the wait light stays on longer if you have had the truck a while you have an idea in different temps how long they should stay on I start to test them and use the good ones I kept from before.