Glow plugs and injectors

[Col.T]

G'day fellers,
as always I'm late on the scene but this one's got me intrigued.
My old 4.2d had over 400K when I sold it and there was no sign whatsoever that glow plugs or pump needed any attention at all.
The new(er) '08 zd30 has about 160K and so far the same applies.
If I assume that on starting, the dashboard glow plug light indicates how long the plugs are heating, then they're on for no longer than about 5 sec.maybe a tad more it seems on a cold day. Is that correct or do they continue to heat after the light goes out?... Don't reckon they would 'cause without looking at the circuitry, (Jeez I'm a lazy sod), I'd assume the one line covers both heating and dash light.

Anyway, as my dear departed old Daddy, when I was a lad about 60 years ago would say as he leant over the bonnet of our 1923 Dodge tourer, "if it ain't rooted, why would you?"
Had a way with words, the old fellow.

Got me nervously twitching though. Reckon I'll check for cracks around. Thanks for that Muddy Lizzard .
Regards
Col
p.s. I'd better have a look at guru Yendor's thread.

[Mud Gecko]

You can attach a small 12v led using the glow-plug busbar close to the firewall, wire it into the cab and it will tell you exactly when power is being provided to the glow-plugs.

On my Kemo timer, the red light is the timed circuit and the green light is the factory ecu circuit. If the motor is warm they both shut off within a second or so.

[outback]

If the motor is warm they both shut off within a second or so.

And if it is cold??

[Mud Gecko]

If the motors cold the timer will keep the glow-plugs powered for 30 seconds (or whatever I set the timer to) then shut them off (red light out). The green light will then remain on until the ecu would normally turn off the glow-pugs.

[outback]

update:

First the engine starts fine with little problem. A few mornings a bit of smoke on cold start up.
Had the 150K service and the plugs tested. 3 dead and only 1 functioning.
New plugs, metal ones.
Next and soon the timer to go in.

[paddywagon]

G'day,
How long should the timer (or dash light) run for on cold start in a TD42? Been having cold start issues where it will cough and splutter and pump smoke until warm. Replaced glow plugs but still does the same thing. Im starting to think it is what ever controls the voltage to the plugs.

[Yendor]

G'day,
How long should the timer (or dash light) run for on cold start in a TD42? Been having cold start issues where it will cough and splutter and pump smoke until warm. Replaced glow plugs but still does the same thing. Im starting to think it is what ever controls the voltage to the plugs.

The glow plug light in the dash is not a true reflection of how long the glow plug are heating up for. This is a guide for when the vehicle is ready to start.

How long they stay on for in the TD42 depends on a few things engine temperature being the main one.

Have you checked there is power at the glow plugs during heating?

Your TD42 runs a two stage heat.

Stage one, When you turn the ignition on (engine cold) the glow plug light in the dash will come on and the glow plugs will receive 12 volts and start heating up. After a set amount of time the glow plug light in the dash will go out but the glow plugs will still receive 12 volts. The 12 volts will remain until one of two things happens. 1. The vehicle is started. 2. or after another set period of time they will just switch off if the engine is not started.

Stage two, Once the vehicle is started the glow plug receive only 6 volts, this is done by connecting the glow plugs in series with the resistor in the manifold. Once engine temperature reaches a certain temperature the glow plug switch off.

[Robo]

Truly late on the ? trying to get the heads up before I tackle it.
Glow plugs for a td42t & 270tho old & never replaced, don't know for sure .

The reason me thinks they are worn out,
Pat start faster,better, lots less smoke if I cycle the glow a couple of times before starting,

can I expect them to be a pain to remove ?.
seized up,& run the risk of breaking one trying to remove it?.
should I use anti seize when putting the new ones in?.

ebay plugs something like $70set, and Bursons $25ea.
ebay ok so long quality brand like Bosch.
or stay clear of ebay, and go local supplier.
lastly, td plugs are ceramic also? , I should change over to metallic or not ?.
think that covers it.

No another, when purchasing, is the ceramic a typical white colour , easy to spot against a metallic tip?.

[Col.T]

Robo,
on my old/ex 4.2 on a really, really cold morning I found a coupla cycles on the glow plugs worked best but I'm not sure if they were cactus or not. Mind you 400K+ may have been near the limit.
The 'new' zd3.0 is only up to 170K and all seems to be well.
Glow plugs have made me look a bit of a goose in the past because I thought the panel light told the truth. Silly boy.
Look forward to seeing how you go. Good thread this!
Col

[Robo]

Robo,
on my old/ex 4.2 on a really, really cold morning I found a coupla cycles on the glow plugs worked best but I'm not sure if they were cactus or not. Mind you 400K+ may have been near the limit.
The 'new' zd3.0 is only up to 170K and all seems to be well.
Glow plugs have made me look a bit of a goose in the past because I thought the panel light told the truth. Silly boy.
Look forward to seeing how you go. Good thread this!
Col

Ordered Bosch from local bullseye $17ea.
but he can't tell me if they are ceramic or metallic.
trying to look at Bosch AU site to find out about tip type.
Yes chromium metal tip and $21.80 ea WT!! think I stick with bullseye

so whats up with metalic vrs ceramic?.


FYI you can buy direct online from bosch Australia.