GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

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Andle
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GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by Andle »

Think my glowplugs might be at a stage that (some) need replacing (Beru).

Seeking advice on what to test for & anything else that should be done first.

Then - on exactly how to go about changing them - the correct way.

I understand that the job is fraught with risk - and needs to be done carefully.

I'm here to learn.

I am a newbie on the topic - so hoping to open up discussion & explore this topic (will benefit other members too hopefully).

Cheers all,

Andle (Good to be back).
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

I think you need to wait for someone to come along who has done theirs and everything was straightforward.

My thread on such matters doesnt make for happy reading, probably the one and only time the word "annihilate" has been used in an FCF thread title.

viewtopic.php?t=54768&hilit=annihilate

Regards Neil
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by white exec »

What problems are showing up, Andle?
Chris
Andle
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by Andle »

Can't start the car straight away or I get loads of smoke & smell of unburnt fuel in exhaust - and the engine shakes itself apart.

If I leave the key in the position - one before kickover - for 15 mins, then turn kick it over to start the car - it still chuggs like hell, but there is much less white smoke.

Initially the idle is really really rough - but then if I let it run for 15 mins - eventually shes driveable.

Everytime I need to use her - 30 minute procedure required.

15 mins priming, then 15 mins idling - only then I can drive her off!
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by moizeau »

Not plugs, HDI's don't need them (unless you live in Siberia or need a regen).
15 mins priming?
Check the EGR in Diagbox
Pete
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white exec
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by white exec »

And check for air in the fuel, with a clear hose between fuel filter and pump.
Lots of priming suggests air is being sucked in somewhere. Essential that the pump is receiving air-free fuel.
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by jsp »

turn 1/20 right before turning left. After all out put special anti seize on it (grey). torque to spec.
Andle
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by Andle »

I’m grateful for your responses.

I understand this is not an easy job.

I have a question that is definitely going to upset a few - but by asking it - I am opening up received wisdom for a ‘windows bulletin update’ - in case there’s new information come to light - that hasn’t been widely shared.

Current received wisdom:

HDI’s - the glow plugs are NOT used during startup (EVER),

except ...

in sub zero temps.


Are we 100% sure on this?
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Glow plugs for older NON-HDI engines were always used to start the vehicle.

Modern HDi engines use high pressure to ignite the fuel.

Glow plugs for modern HDi engines have several functions:
  • Pre-heating
  • Post-heating
  • To assist with regeneration (on vehicles with a diesel particle filter)
It is perfectly normal for glow plugs not to operate at all during the starting phase. It all depends on the engine temperature and the altitude.

So as an example, on your Picasso, if the engine coolant temperature is at anything from 20°C to 80°C there is no pre-heating time, unless at altitudes of over 1000 metres and then only for a few seconds.

Pre-Heating
Engine coolant temperaturePre-heating timeIdling speedAltitude exceeding 1000 mAltitude exceeding 1500 mAltitude exceeding 2000 m
80 °C0 seconds750 rpm0 seconds0 seconds0 seconds
20 °C0 seconds800 rpm0,5 seconds2 seconds3 seconds
0 °C0,5 seconds890 rpm1 seconds5 seconds5 seconds
- 10 °C5 seconds950 rpm5,5 seconds9,5 seconds9,5 seconds
- 20 °C5 seconds1050 rpm5,5 seconds9,5 seconds9,5 seconds
- 25 °C10 seconds1075 rpm10,5 seconds12,5 seconds12,5 seconds
- 30 °C15 seconds1100 rpm15 seconds15 seconds15 seconds
As for Post-heating, the glow plug function is to help reduce emissions in the first few minutes of starting the engine and helps reduce 'blue' smoke. Here is a table showing the times:

Post-Heating
Engine coolant temperaturePre-heating timeIdling speedPost heating
80 °C0 seconds750 rpm0 seconds
20 °C0 seconds800 rpm0,5 seconds
0 °C0,5 seconds890 rpm180 seconds
- 10 °C5 seconds950 rpm180 seconds
- 20 °C5 seconds1050 rpm180 seconds
- 25 °C10 seconds1075 rpm180 seconds
- 30 °C15 seconds1100 rpm180 seconds
So to answer your question - it depends, but under normal operating conditions, temperature and altitudes, your glow plugs are not needed to start the engine.
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Andle
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by Andle »

GiveMeABreak,

Your post is clear, precise & conclusive - exactly what I needed.

My sincere thanks.
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by ekjdm14 »

Allow me to back this up with the information that our 206 1.4HDi has always started perfectly and idled smoothly from cold, even in winter with 4 dead glow plugs (the only indication of the GP's death was the dreaded "antipollution fault" and limp mode, it still started/idled/ran perfectly aside from that).

Also, despite taking all necessary care and precautions, I ended up breaking off the tip of one of the plugs in the head. It was stuck fast with carbon deposits and I believe there was no avoiding the situation & no magic potion that would've freed it up enough to not break, just "one of those things" and we pulled the head off to deal with it.

It was not for shifting any other way, I tried drilling/tapping and using a slide hammer arrangement to no avail, also tried drifting it out, no dice. Only way that one came out was to drill it out, not a step I took lightly & indeed I bought a used complete head as a backup in case things went wrong.

Having said that though, it's not the end of the world IF they were to need doing and were as solid as that one, just don't run with the tip lodged in place, Neil's experience proves the law of sod (no matter how solidly jammed in, if it comes loose it WILL go into the cylinder and not pop out as you'd expect!.

With all this said, your issue is most certainly not caused by glow plug failure. (just posting my experience for the "record" so to speak). My vote goes for air in the fuel also, possibly leaking back overnight.
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Andle
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by Andle »

Here in lies the mystery,

If Inprime the car for 15 mins - the puff of smoke is brief & the chuffing is shorter lived & she idles better.

What is it about the priming - that seems to improve the situation?

Why does 15min of priming improve the start up?
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1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by white exec »

15 mins of priming should never be necessary.
What priming does is pull fuel though the filter, and drive it through the pump. In doing so, it will do its best to drive out any trapped air in the supply to the pump, and it is this air that causes hesitant starting and smoke.
No more than half a minute or so of priming should ever be needed, and as soon as the priming button (or bulb) feels solid, the priming can stop.
Check for air in fuel, and any non-return valves in the filter.
Chris
Andle
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by Andle »

Question:

If there was an issue with one of th glow plugs or with the relay - wouldn’t the engine management light come on?
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Re: GlowPlugs - Changing - WTF

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
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