Glow Plugs and Diesel Engines

[ustmd]

Okay, I am going to bare my ignorance before the group. I do not have a lot of knowledge on gas/diesel engines. I can do basic maintenance activities, etc, but it is not my idea of a fun week-end tearing an engine apart. I will fix your dishwasher, refrigerator, help you build a fence, a barn etc, all day long for fun--hate to work on cars. My standard line is I do not like to fix anything that gets me greasy.

So here is my problem. My in-laws move in next door about 4 years ago. About 3 years ago, my mother in law got a F-350 diesel for the horse trailer. Every time my father in law gets in the truck to start it, he puts the key in and starts grinding away like it was a gasoline engine. He does not wait for the glow plugs to heat up. I should say that my father in law has absolutely no mechanical ability at all--if vehicle or piece of equipment does not start, his solution is to get trying until the battery is dead.

I have explained to him that diesel engines are different from gas and there are no spark plugs--you are relaying on heat and compression to ignite the fuel and the glow plugs provide the heat until the engine gets going...but to no avail.

So my question is, is my father in law damaging or causing premature wear and tear on the engine by not waiting for the glow plugs to heat before starting?

As reason has failed me in getting him to change his behavior I hoping to hit him in the pocket book as he is so tight he squeaks when he walks...I am also concerned that he does this whenever he starts MY tractor and I am not around.

I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

 

[RoyJackson]

It really depends on the ambient temperature. If above 40 degees F, probably no need to use the glow plugs (or intake heater, as Deeres frequently use instead). Worst case if he doesn't use the cold start assist, it'll likely result in damaging or premature wear of the starter or running the battery down.
You can't do anything about the F-350...not your truck. But you don't have to leave your tractor keys accessible if you think he's going to abuse your tractor.
If he is as bad as you describe him, I would be mighty leary about him using my equipment.
There's my 2 cents...don't spend it all in one place.

 

[JD 4520]

So I will ask the question this way...what and when is the proper way to use / engage the glow plug? Best practice for starting a diesel during different temperature conditions?

 

[RoyJackson]

So I will ask the question this way...what and when is the proper way to use / engage the glow plug? Best practice for starting a diesel during different temperature conditions?

The best way is to follow your tractor manual's procedure since cold starting may vary from one brand to another.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My last two trucks were diesels...
I kept my 92 F250 from 1995 to 2004 and have now had my 2003 F350 since 2004...
So that's 16 years total...
9 years with the 7.3 diesel and currently 7 years and running with the 7.3 Power Stroke...
In North Carolina, like Roy previously stated, the temps here rarely get under 40 degrees...
The proper starting procedures for both vehicles was to engage the glow plugs by turning on the switch until the glow plug light goes off on the dash and then engage the starter...
I have used this procedure for all these years and have never had an issue starting my trucks...
On a few very cold days in which the temps drops into the teens, I utilize the factory installed block heater if the temps are in the low 20's to teens...
I've never replaced any glow plugs on either of my vehicles...
For the most part the 7.3 is very reliable...

 

[Larry Caldwell]

On a few very cold days in which the temps drops into the teens, I utilize the factory installed block heater if the temps are in the low 20's to teens...

Excellent idea. Warm oil pumps easier, and the oil pressure will come up faster. We used to spin the tractor with the starter until the oil pressure needle moved before kicking in the injectors, and always used the block heater in cold weather.