Over-using glow plugs?

[chelydra]

My CK20HST has about 275 hours. Starting seems to be getting a little harder, though it might just be weather and less-frequent use. To avoid half a minute of blue smoke, or high speed when cold, I usually blip the glow plus for a few extra seconds after it catches.

According to posts here, this seems to be common practice. However, I'm concerned about glow-plug life. So, some questions:

- How much is a new set, if needed?

- Is it an easy screw out/screw in job?

- I don't have a torque wrench; is this a more critical torquing than spark plugs in a car? I'd certainly rather buy a torque wrench than a new engine block!

- What's a reasonable plug lifetime, in total starts, engine hours, years of use, whatever? If it's under 1000 hours or so, it might be worth keeping a spare set in reserve.

All advice appreciated. First major storm due here tomorrow, so tooth-bar came off the loader and mushroom skids are on. Someday I'll have the spare cash for a blower, or at least a rear snow blade.

Happy holidays to all-

Chelydra

 

[Coyote machine]

In general glow plugs should last a long time. How long is a factor of how many times used, temps they are exposed to, condition of the electrical system, in particular the battery, etc. Personally I wouldn't buy spares in advance of needing one or more. Glow plug relays can fail too, and one never knows what is most likely to happen- so I'd save your money for when and IF they are needed, if ever

An aside: you mentioned 'mushroom skids' are you talking about what is commonly used on snowplow blades?
if so where did you get yours/ Pics?
How well do they work for your tractor?
Do they eliminate some of the concerns of hitting immovable things with the loader edge?
Thanks,
CM:thumbsup:

 

[chelydra]

... you mentioned 'mushroom skids' are you talking about what is commonly used on snowplow blades?
if so where did you get yours/ Pics?
How well do they work for your tractor?
Do they eliminate some of the concerns of hitting immovable things with the loader edge?

Thanks for advice on glow plugs. I'm thinking that shutting the machine down when I'm taking a break may not be such a good idea, at least if it's sitting someplace I wouldn't want to leave it for a couple of weeks if a plug failed and I couldn't restart. Or is compression heating enough to make a complete start with just two "hot" plugs?

Anyway, here are pictures of the skids. I think I bought these:

FREE SHIPPING SnowBear Skid Shoes (Pair) 5in. Dia. | Snowplow Replacement Parts | Northern Tool + Equipment

though not sure. I *am* sure I only paid about half that a couple of years ago, so perhaps they were on sale someplace.

To mount them, I used a Greenfield punch to expand the outer two tooth-bar mounting holes. You can see the high-class wood shim I use to keep them square. I shortened the threaded stub; kept enough for two nuts just in case. I'm surprised at how quickly the pads are eroding - looks like this third season might be the last. (Note separation line in one photo.) I suspect that they're made out of ordinary steel, not the self-hardening stuff used for prison bars and sandblasting boxes, or the alloys used for excavator teeth. Disappointing.

While they last, they do the job well, letting me use a slight dig angle on the blade without diving into dirt/gravel, or scraping blacktop. Frankly, though, the loader blade is not very good for snow; if I were feeling richer, I'd get a proper rear plow blade for the TPH, and use the loader mainly for the icy berms the town plows leave.

A slightly related question: the manual says something about not letting the blade drop in float position, instead to force it down. Since I usually put the blade back into float for the next clearing run after dumping a load of snow, this is awkward. What is the issue with letting the blade drop naturally in float setting?

Thanks-

Chelydra

 

[PoorMansCat]

My CK20HST has about 275 hours. Starting seems to be getting a little harder, though it might just be weather and less-frequent use. To avoid half a minute of blue smoke, or high speed when cold, I usually blip the glow plus for a few extra seconds after it catches.

According to posts here, this seems to be common practice. However, I'm concerned about glow-plug life. So, some questions:

- How much is a new set, if needed?

- Is it an easy screw out/screw in job?

- I don't have a torque wrench; is this a more critical torquing than spark plugs in a car? I'd certainly rather buy a torque wrench than a new engine block!

- What's a reasonable plug lifetime, in total starts, engine hours, years of use, whatever? If it's under 1000 hours or so, it might be worth keeping a spare set in reserve.

All advice appreciated. First major storm due here tomorrow, so tooth-bar came off the loader and mushroom skids are on. Someday I'll have the spare cash for a blower, or at least a rear snow blade.

Happy holidays to all-

Chelydra

Glow plugs are usually cheap... For a Ford 7.3L Powerstroke, they are about 10-11 each. They simply unscrew and pull, then screw back in. Don't overtorque...
IF they are heavily carboned up and don't want to come out, DONT force them... Spray some penetrating oil down around them and let them set for a day or so...
One thing you DON'T want to to is break off the end of the glowplug...
They can be checked by using a VOM. I think they vary
by manufacturer, but generally they ohm at 10ohms or less if they are good.
Some Ford PSD owners have reported that repetitive cycling of the glowplugs leads to short service life.... not sure if its true, don't own a PSD.

 

[tthopskin@yahoo.ca]

you said high speed on a cold motor this may be some of your problem never run up a cold motor and have you used fuel conditioner if no there is another problem just put some tranny oil in the fuel it will start and run better it works for me 20 plus years the fuel is refined to much anymore no lubricant left in it :thumbsup:

 

[chelydra]

you said high speed on a cold motor this may be some of your problem never run up a cold motor

Oh, I agree, I agree. I said that I *avoid* that. I've seen other operators rev a diesel on starting, which seems like bad treatment for a lot of reasons: carbon buildup, cold oil not yet spread into bearing, ring blowby, and even head cracking from thermal shock. I used to fly light aircraft, where warmup and cooldown are strictly prescribed on the checklist, and I always idle the CK20 for a minute or two before shutdown.

I usually start with the throttle set for about 1000-1200 RPM, then ease it up to 1500 about half a minute after all cylinders are firing. But that can take 15-30 seconds after the engine catches, and I don't like all the blue smoke and rough running. So I blip the glow plugs for just 2 sec or so once or twice, which always gets it running smoothly.

If any of that is bad practice, I'd like to know about it. This is my first diesel, and advice on keeping it happy is welcome.

-Chelydra

 

[DK35vince]

My CK20HST has about 275 hours. Starting seems to be getting a little harder, though it might just be weather and less-frequent use. To avoid half a minute of blue smoke, or high speed when cold, I usually blip the glow plus for a few extra seconds after it catches.

According to posts here, this seems to be common practice. However, I'm concerned about glow-plug life. So, some questions:

- How much is a new set, if needed?

- Is it an easy screw out/screw in job?

- I don't have a torque wrench; is this a more critical torquing than spark plugs in a car? I'd certainly rather buy a torque wrench than a new engine block!

- What's a reasonable plug lifetime, in total starts, engine hours, years of use, whatever? If it's under 1000 hours or so, it might be worth keeping a spare set in reserve.

All advice appreciated. First major storm due here tomorrow, so tooth-bar came off the loader and mushroom skids are on. Someday I'll have the spare cash for a blower, or at least a rear snow blade.

Happy holidays to all-

Chelydra

I just replaced the glow plugs in my DK 35 at 1500 hours because it didn't want to start in the cold lately.
I had power to the glow plugs, but it acted like the plugs were not working.
They are easy to replace (easy screw out/in job).
I replaced all 3 and cost was around $35 each.
My tractor starts right in the cold again now.

 

[ToadHill]

Rather than blip the glow plugs back on when the engine is running, I'd cycle them 2 or 3 times before I started the engine. This was the recommended procedure on an older vehicle I owned.

I've never had starting problems using that method down to below 0 degrees here in the great frozen north.

 

[Transit]

What oil are you using; 15w40 may be too heavy for your climate. Try a 10 or a 5 w 40.

 

[flyingcow]

Rather than blip the glow plugs back on when the engine is running, I'd cycle them 2 or 3 times before I started the engine. This was the recommended procedure on an older vehicle I owned.

I've never had starting problems using that method down to below 0 degrees here in the great frozen north.

+1

Also, how long since you changed your fuel filters?