Glow plugs dropping out.

Bongo and Tonic · Post by **Bongo and Tonic** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:41 am

I have a problem when starting form cold. It only happens fist thing in the morning and usually will not occur again for the rest of the day.
Here's what happens.

1. Switch on ignition - Glow plugs come on.
2. Start engine - no problem, no smoke.
3. Then a few seconds later the glow plugs cut out and the engine starts to misfire and produce tons of smoke.
4. Drive away and then brake (junction) - glow plugs come on again.
5. Drives fine after that.

New plugs have been fitted.
All plugs checked and they all glow fine when switched on (connected to bus bar).
Injector cleaner used (Redex).

Does anyone have any idea what I could check next?

Many Thanks
Rick

Post by **Ian** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:05 pm

Could it be contaminated fuel?

Bongo and Tonic · Post by **Bongo and Tonic** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:19 pm

It's been doing it for months now so don't thinks a particular tank of fuel.
The mechanic I bought it from had it in for a week and still couldn't find out why it's misfiring.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:36 pm

The on/off thing is normal - the glowplug relay is energised via a vacuum sensor on the inlet manifold so when you accelerate the plugs go off and come back on again when you lift off - until the coolant has reached a predetermined temperature.
I think you've got a faulty new glowplug........

Bongo and Tonic · Post by **Bongo and Tonic** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:04 pm

Is there any way to tell if there is a faulty one.
I took the plugs out and tested them one by one and they all glowed.
Do you think one may be failing under pressure or something?

bongoing-mad-simon · Post by **bongoing-mad-simon** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:17 pm

hi bongo & tonic
i have the same sort of problem,
start from cold fine,just as she hits optimum temperature loss of power
and black smoke for about a mile, then power comes back and no smoke been told its normal??????????

rest of the day shes fine.

_______________

simon

I'm bongoing mad R U?

Bongo and Tonic · Post by **Bongo and Tonic** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:31 pm

Mine is white smoke and misfiring which happens about 10-30 seconds after start up. Soon as you drive away it's fine.
Just a bit embarasing on the campsite when you fill next doors tent with smoke

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:42 pm

An ohmmeter onto each plug - usually around 1 ohmm for a glowplug

Bongo and Tonic · Post by **Bongo and Tonic** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:05 am

Thanks, I'll have a look tonight.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:54 pm

dandywarhol wrote:An ohmmeter onto each plug - usually around 1 ohmm for a glowplug

Been having the Starting differculties I have read in several threads. First thing absolute pig to start then rought for a few seconds- cloud of white smoke then perfect starting/running the rest of the day. So today I changed the plugs which I found to be a straight forward diy job. Once you work out removing EGR? gubbings and which hoses to disconnect to get to the plugs.

First start-up test tomorrow Maybe with snow on the ground and a forecasted -3deg (little snow this morning but disappeared by lunch).

I tested the old plugs for above values one read 3ohm the rest were open circuit

I have the switch and cable/connections to do the relay to plug thing to hopefully prolong the life of the plugs by stopping the plugs getting switched on/off many times untill system gets up to temp, as described in the members area. If this does the trick, it will more than cover the pittance we pay for the membership!!

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:06 pm

$\:D/$ As hoped, this morning after clearing the snow on her, the Bongo started first time without the rough idling and large white puff of smoke. $\:D/$

What a difference working glow plugs make!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:32 pm

Excellent brora - how 'easy' did you find it changing the plugs

Mike

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:40 pm

Not that hard to do and I will find it even easier/quicker next time. It was just working out the best hoses to disconnect. to shift the egr? system. and I have a way of disconnecting hoses without pulling on your hose with all your strength.(something does'nt sound right there

)

Differcult to explain but if you use a flat blade screwdriver and push down on the edge/wall of the hose in the direction of removal it starts it off making it easier for pulling off, all with gentle force.

pm me if you would like more details.

Maybe next time I will take photos as I go.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:01 pm

Excellent brorabongo, and I use the same technique too (I think! - had to use it to get the plug out of the collant bleed pipe). With care, the screwdriver can be used to stretch the hose temporarily (and just a bit) so that when you pull the screwdriver out, you get a brief moment when you can twist and pull and get a result.

Its reassuring to know that - overall - changing plugs is not too daunting. Now, should I buy some for my supply before I need them or is that bad financial management (did you find a cheap source by the way?).

Mike