Glow plug replacement needed?

[lightning]

In this cold weather my 2008 Connect TDCi starts OK but needs about five seconds of churning on the starter.

When it does start it's very lumpy for a few seconds while all the cylinders kick in, then it's fine after that.

I was wondering if the glow plugs might need replacing. It's done 55,000 miles.

How much do they cost, and are they easy to change? I can see them on the front of the engine and they look fairly accessible.

[liteace]

They might need changing or it might be another problem, best thing to do is get them tested, why spend money on glows when it could be something else

[lightning]

Good idea.

I just read on the internet that the TDCi does not actually need the glow plugs for starting, they are to reduce engine noise from cold and make it run better until warm.

Also that they are very easy to snap off in the engine while trying to remove them.

So I think I will leave it....as I am certain that it I tried to remove them, one would break off in the cylinder head.

[Dagenham Dustbin]

I bought a set of bosch for about £32, no hardship to fit them.

[paul2012]

Good idea.

I just read on the internet that the TDCi does not actually need the glow plugs for starting, they are to reduce engine noise from cold and make it run better until warm.

Also that they are very easy to snap off in the engine while trying to remove them.

So I think I will leave it....as I am certain that it I tried to remove them, one would break off in the cylinder head.

Your are half right.

Diesel engines don't need glow plugs once engine is started. As each cylinder/ combustion chamber on the compression stoke, generates very high temperatures that ignites the diesel / air mixture.

BUT to start the engine, glow plugs are a must have, As they heat the diesel in the prechamber before it enters the cylinder / combustion chamber.

& yes they do tend to snap off when removing them, this is because they get coked up with carbon desposites

[dieselboy1978]

Actually some diesel engines do use glow plugs whilst the engine is running!
But transit connects dont. I only know this as i have been working on diesels for nearly 20 years now and only working on diesels.
It might not even be your glow plugs. Its could be your injectors with a back leakage issue or control valve response issue.

[m00ms]

take the power lead off the glow plugs and with a multimeter check resistance of each glow plug seperatly.you can do this with leaving glow plugs in cyclinder head.if you get any glow plugs showing open circuit then its faulty and will need replacing.

glow plugs either work or they dont,theres no in the middle or a service time like a spark plug.

[winterheating]

Good idea.

I just read on the internet that the TDCi does not actually need the glow plugs for starting, they are to reduce engine noise from cold and make it run better until warm.

Also that they are very easy to snap off in the engine while trying to remove them.

So I think I will leave it....as I am certain that it I tried to remove them, one would break off in the cylinder head.

Your are half right.

Diesel engines don't need glow plugs once engine is started. As each cylinder/ combustion chamber on the compression stoke, generates very high temperatures that ignites the diesel / air mixture.

BUT to start the engine, glow plugs are a must have, As they heat the diesel in the prechamber before it enters the cylinder / combustion chamber.

& yes they do tend to snap off when removing them, this is because they get coked up with carbon desposites

That would apply to an IN-DIRECT diesel.

[lightning]

It seems that four new glow plugs are less than £40 even from Ford.

I will test the old ones with a meter, but are they hard to change? Access seems OK but I've heard horror stories of them breaking off in the cylinder head. How much torque does it take to break one off?
If I use a 1/4" drive ratchet I shouldn't be able to break one off by putting too much force on it when removing.

[gt_addict]

Check the wire that supply's power to them aswell. Mine had broken but it still started and ran fine.

[winterheating]

remember to ease in and out.

[GKandR4CH]

Would it not be cheaper to get 4 glow plugs from Ebay?
I paid £15.00 for 4 and they certainly made a difference against the old ones I had.

[winterheating]

Plugs do actually range from working fully to not at all you can see this when testing them.

A quick check you can do is cycle the plugs on a few times then start it, if this helps, will tell you at least that your engine needs plugs to start.

[lightning]

Thanks for the replies.

At £15 for 4 it's almost not worth testing the old ones to see if they are all OK, I'll just fit a new set.

I will take care removing them, I read that you have to remove them in stages and not just unscrew all at once.

[gt_addict]

I assume they are the same for all the connects? Any brand better than the other?