12
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How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
Glow plug is merely an aid for starting the engine. There are many designs still produced today without any glow plugs (eg military diesels run without any electricity), and even many modern diesel ...
- 805
6
votes
How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
When I was little, my dad had a yacht which had been a northern European coastguard patrol vessel. He bought it as surplus military and converted it into a yacht.
The engine, a Stork Werkspoor diesel, ...
6
votes
Is it possible to have glow plugs on all the time for certain amount of time?
The way the VW (so assuming Audi is similar) glow plugs are controlled on the TDI Jettas of similar vintage, the plugs should come on (what VW calls "pre-glow") whenever the block is cold. You should ...
- 14.4k
5
votes
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How to wire a glow plug?
A glow plug is essentially an intentional short circuit that heats up a wire and ignites whatever fuel is in or connected to the glow plug.
Polarity rarely matters in this. But typically, the ...
- 603
5
votes
Accepted
Will penetrating fluid contaminate engine oil?
According to the MSDS (pdf), the main ingredient in this product is ethanol (ethyl alcohol). While no one wants ethanol in their motor oil, a small amount will quickly evaporate and should cause no ...
- 5,510
4
votes
How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
I've not seen it done personally but I've been told that some old (WWII) military engines would be warmed up prior to starting in any number of ways which anecdotal included the use of lit marine ...
- 23.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Has wrong glow plug damaged piston?
If there was any significant contact between the glow plug and the piston, I think you'd know it right away (horrible noise followed by horrible quiet). I'd double-check the glow plug wiring and ...
- 2,311
3
votes
Hyundai i30, 1600 cc Difficulty starting
Since the starter picked up speed as you cranked, I would suspect bad connections from the battery down to the starter. I have seen this before and simply disconnecting the large cable from the ...
- 24.9k
3
votes
Proper glow plug operation
Actually with modern engines, they can and do come on after startup. I think the reasons are spelled out fairly well in this article on Engine Builder Magazine:
The government wanted to reduce the ...
- 153k
3
votes
Accepted
Issues cold starting diesel van
One possibility is low cylinder compression, either due to gases getting passed the piston rings or passed poorly seating valves.
If gasses are getting passed the rings, this could possibly be ...
- 24.9k
2
votes
How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
To expand on the answer above, many old vintage diesels ran a 'hot bulb' design. There would be a section of the head where an open flame would be used to heat it, so the engine could ignite the lower ...
- 1,586
2
votes
Hyundai i30, 1600 cc Difficulty starting
Glow plugs are not necessarily the problem. You said the engine turned over slowly. If turning was exceedingly slow then the battery would be more likely, not enough juice for the engine to gain ...
2
votes
How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
If the compression ratio is high enough (around 22-1), there will be enough heat from the compression. Most diesel engines are turbo charged to increase power. The compression ratio is lower because ...
- 121
2
votes
How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
I don't know what was used before glow plugs. But you can use a hair dryer to blow warm air into the air inlet of a diesel motor and it will make it start easily in cold weather. I've done this many ...
- 21
2
votes
How did they start diesel engines before the glow plug was invented?
One method that is still used - but only on vehicles with metal air filter canisters is to remove the filter and put burning paper there - the hot air makes all the difference. Once running put the ...
- 34.6k
1
vote
Can deposits on glow plugs be used to diagnose engine problems?
Normally not, people are way too afraid to break them during removal. Since the specialty tool supliers catalogues are littered with "engine xyz glow plug extraction tools" they might have a ...
- 8,448
1
vote
What is the normal operating temperature of a glowplug?
It depends on exactly what type of engine, but typically it will get to around 1000C after only a couple of seconds.
- 18.6k
1
vote
Accepted
What is the current and voltage rating of a diesel glow plug?
It varies with the type, but anywhere between 5A to 15A for 12v systems, so 4 plugs can be 60A which is why the cable used is a heavy gauge . The power is then between 60W to 720W.
- 34.6k
1
vote
Gasoline glow engine mechanics
The glow plug engines have a glow plug that gets heated from a power supply and once it is hot, the repeated combustion process is sufficient to keep it hot so that it can ignite the fresh incoming ...
- 34.6k
1
vote
Having starting problems of my kia ceed 1.6 crdi model 2010
My diesel runs the glow plugs for about 10 seconds, and I usually hit the starter at about 7 secs.
They do go off after the light goes out, so cranking the starter after that tends to just flatten the ...
- 34.6k
1
vote
Accepted
How Regularly Should Glow Plugs Need Replacing
Your testing methodology seems pretty sound, the plugs definitely sound like they're shot. As you correctly say glow plugs should last a very long time, 3 years is just too short so I suspect one of ...
- 16.2k
1
vote
Accepted
Automatic Car engine cut off while driving
So took it to the mechanic indeed it needed a new crankshaft position sensor, after that was fixed they also found out one of the pistons were gone.
Car is no longer driveable. There is a metal ...
- 174
1
vote
Accepted
Why does my diesel lose electric power when glow plugs are engaged?
After confirming battery and cabling found loose control signal on starter, corrosion on several grounds, and finally a damaged ignition starter solenoid. The IGS is not the solenoid attached to the ...
- 19
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