mikehaugen
Elite Member
I understand that glow plugs are used to heat the combustion chamber for easier cold starting, what I don't understand is what are they actually heating? I have never had a head off a diesel to really see where they are oriented. Heating the air seems like a waste to me because after one crank that air is gone, and actually heating the head itself seems like it would take a lot more heat than what these could put out in that short amount of time. I am sure that this is a simple question to anyone that knows more about diesels than I do, so I apologize if this seems like a stupid question.
I guess the reason I ask is because I don't notice much of a difference whether I use them or not. Maybe my glow plugs are no good? Would it be as simple to check them as just checking the resistance across the coil? I have never really had a hard time starting even around 10*F so I have never really worried too much about it. I am just curious I guess.
I guess the reason I ask is because I don't notice much of a difference whether I use them or not. Maybe my glow plugs are no good? Would it be as simple to check them as just checking the resistance across the coil? I have never really had a hard time starting even around 10*F so I have never really worried too much about it. I am just curious I guess.