Not a problem, more of a glow plug question I'm not sure about

[Wolfamongsheep]

I've searched the forum for a while and didn't really find an answer. I bought my M1009 off of user DXTAC a few months back and I haven't had a single issue with it! I LOVE this truck, I daily drive it and have put 2500+ miles on it haha! My question is more just curiosity and to know if I should be changing the glow plugs soon. Anyway the truck has a manual glow plug set up and I have to hold the button down for a good 10-15 seconds in order for it to start up and be smokeless...is this normal? Sometimes it take up to 20 seconds for it to start properly. Again it always starts and I have ZERO issues with it, just checking if this is normal.

thanks for any info
Aaron

 

[patracy]

Always best to treat them as a "tune up" part. Better to replace them before they swell or cause more problems. First I'd check the resistance of the plugs to see what you're working with.

 

[rsh4364]

I also have manual glowplugs and when I glow for 20 seconds starts real quick,I recently did resistor bypass,new gp solenoid,new gps also.I too wondered is this is normal.Seems about twice as long as wait to start light stays on.I have never had swollen plugs and have changed 3 sets. I ran autolite 1112s seemed to warm faster, then got paranoid about swollen plugs so switched to 60gs,been fine so far.I do check with test light every oil change,but need to voltage check to solenoid.

 

[antennaclimber]

I check them every year, usually just before winter. This way I know that I have working glow plugs when they are needed most.

I also change the fuel filter at the same time as the GP check. I always write the date and the mileage on the fuel filter with a sharpie.
This way I have a quick visual record of when the GP's and fuel filter were serviced last.

 

[cpf240]

I'm sure antennaclimber knows more about this, but it is my understanding that the GPs are, usually, still on when the WTS light goes out. With mine, the WTS light goes out, I start the engine, and then some short amount of time later I can hear the GP solenoid switch off.

 

[Skinny]

Concur

 

[61sleepercab]

I ran a VW diesel for 200,000 miles and learned this trick. Install a block or hose heater and power it through a appliance timer big enough to handle wattage. I plugged car in when I parked, heater came on at 3:00am and by 8:00am start up time quicker start light come on time, prewarmed engine and faster heater heat. I had cord fixed so I could pull straight back and unplug heater if I forgot but I usually unplugged before I started as old wives tale bubbles in coolant will short out a heater. Mark

 

[antennaclimber]

I'm sure antennaclimber knows more about this, but it is my understanding that the GPs are, usually, still on when the WTS light goes out. With mine, the WTS light goes out, I start the engine, and then some short amount of time later I can hear the GP solenoid switch off.

That is normal operation for the GP card.

"During a cold engine start sequence, the GPM will typically keep the WAIT light on for approximately 8 seconds and will keep the GP relay closed for approximately 15 seconds. This time is measured from when the GPM sees the start sequence from turning the key. Colder or warmer temperatures along with the input on the Voltage Monitor wire will vary the time that the GP relay is closed."

 

[Skinny]

I ran a VW diesel for 200,000 miles and learned this trick. Install a block or hose heater and power it through a appliance timer big enough to handle wattage. I plugged car in when I parked, heater came on at 3:00am and by 8:00am start up time quicker start light come on time, prewarmed engine and faster heater heat. I had cord fixed so I could pull straight back and unplug heater if I forgot but I usually unplugged before I started as old wives tale bubbles in coolant will short out a heater. Mark

I bought a rather nice outdoor timer from Lowes (probably $50) that has a programmable digital timer. During the week I would give my car 3 hours of preheat and turn it off for the weekend. If I had to go somewhere, I could always program it in the night before or just hit the manual button. That was the best $50 I ever spent.