A continuation of my last post: Howto Post 3 How to change Glow plugs

As I said in my last post, Gasoline engines and diesel engines are very similar yet they are different in certain ways. Gasoline engines rely on a spark from the spark plug to ignite the fuel, whereas diesel engines have a high enough compression rate, that they rely on the heat from the air fuel mixture being compressed to ignite the fuel. You may ask where the glow plugs come in. The glow plugs heat up to the point that they are red hot to ignite the fuel when the engine is cold, however, older diesel engines do not have glow plugs as they use a "Hot Bulb" design. To change glow plugs you need most of the same equipment as in my last post (1/4 inch ratchet, 5-10 millimeter socket, 3/8 inch ratchet, extension), however instead of a spark plug socket (3/4 to 5/8 inch) a regular socket can be used. You also need new glow plugs and glow plug wires instead of sparks and spark wires. it is not required to change glow plug wires when changing glow plugs but it is recommended. different size engines use different size glow plugs and wires so make sure you have the right plugs and wires for your vehicle.

Red Hot Glow Plug

The first step is to unhook the battery or batteries, that's right batteries, plural. Most larger diesel vehicles and some smaller ones have two batteries as the require higher amperage. If the vehicle does have dual batteries, make sure both negative cables are unhooked before you unhook the positive cables.

the second step as with a gasoline engine is to remove the wires from both ends being careful not to break anything and remove the glow plugs, again, being careful not to break or strip anything. if not replacing the plug wires then it is not required to remove the wires from both ends, just from the plugs. However if not changing plug wires it may be required to clean the terminals. regardless of whether you replace the plug wires, you need to clean the glow plug holes.

Cleaning a dirty glow plug terminal

Next, carefully reinstall the glow plugs and wires being sure not to cross-thread or strip anything and hook up the batteries (Positive first, Negative second). make sure everything is hooked up and working properly and you are finished.

As always if you have any questions, feel free to contact me on here or on Facebook, I will soon be creating a Facebook account specifically for contacting me with questions from steemit.

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