Glow plugs are an engine management component that is found on vehicles equipped with diesel engines.Their purpose is to preheat, and help warm up the engine’s cylinders so that diesel combustion can occur more easily. They play an especially important part in warming the vehicle’s cylinders during cold starts, where starting the engine is most difficult. Glow plugs use an electrode which will warm up and glow orange when current is applied.When the glow plugs have an issue,they can usually cause problems with the driveability of the vehicle. Usually bad or failing glow plugs will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential issue.

[img]http:///a/img922/5480/H9Xssg.jpg[/img]

1)Engine misfires or decrease in power and acceleration
Engine misfires are one of the first symptoms of an issue with the vehicle’s glow plugs. If the glow plugs malfunction they will not provide the additional heat that aids in diesel combustion, which may cause the engine to experience misfires. The misfires may cause a loss in power, acceleration, and even fuel efficiency.

2)Hard starting
Another symptom of an issue with the vehicle’s glow plugs is hard starting. Unlike gasoline engines, which use a spark to ignite the fuel mixture, diesel engines rely solely on cylinder pressures to ignite the diesel fuel mixture. If the glow plugs fail, the engine will have to overcome additional pressure in order to ignite the mixture, which may result in hard starting.

3)Black smoke from the exhaust
Another symptom of an issue with the glow plugs is black smoke from the exhaust. Faulty glow plugs may disturb the sensitive diesel combustion process, which may cause the engine to produce black smoke from the tailpipe. Black smoke can also be caused by a wide variety of other issues, so having the engine properly diagnosed is highly recommended.

4)Indicator Light
Some vehicles are equipped with an on-board diagnostic system that will alert you of problems with your glow plug. When you start your vehicle, pay close attention to the LED lights on your dashboard. If any warning lights are on, consult your owner's manual to identify the problem. A glow plug warning light can indicate a faulty temperature sensor, a disconnected glow plug relay or a corroded glow plug.

Glow plugs are found on virtually all diesel engines,and play an important role in starting and operating the engine. If your vehicle is displaying any of the symptoms above, or you suspect that your glow plugs may be having an issue,have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic,to determine if the glow plugs need to be replaced.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-bad-or-failing-glow-plugs

http://www.ehow.com/info_8522765_signs-symptoms-bad-glow-plug.html

OK

Bad pass

Thanks

Nice topic but one funny thing is that I've never seen a good brand new glow plug. The few ones I've ever replaced were foreign used popularly known as "belgium". The new ones available in the market sell for around 300-500 naira and they take up to 8 seconds to heat up and turn red while the "belgium" ones sell for around 800 and they heat up in 2 seconds.

on older diesel engines, glow plugs mattered. on newer ones, not so much. the volks TDI engine does not use the glow plugs when the temp is warm. (I think above 10 degrees celcius).

Cool article bro

thumb's up, Op

Hello Do You Know Anyone That Repairs Cummis Engine

Dottore:
Nice topic but one funny thing is that I've never seen a good brand new glow plug. The few ones I've ever replaced were foreign used popularly known as "belgium". The new ones available in the market sell for around 300-500 naira and they take up to 8 seconds to heat up and turn red while the "belgium" ones sell for around 800 and they heat up in 2 seconds.

Buy from Ebay or Amazon, some of their sellers will post to you.Will cost you but the one you buy will die with teh car.

Pls,does anyone know a good Benz CDI mechanic. Contact will be appreciated. By the way,a good information by OP