Everything You Need To Know About Car Glow Plug

Every diesel engine has a glow plug. This device aids in starting the engine. The glow plug in simple terms is a heating device, which enables high-speed diesel engines to start easily in cold weather when it is difficult to start the vehicle. It is because the mass of the cylinder block and the cylinder head absorbs the heat of compression, blocking ignition. The glow plug is a pencil-shaped metal, which has a heating element present at its tip. When electrified, this heating element will heat because of the electrical resistance and begin emitting light in the visible spectrum. Therefore it’s called a glow plug. The glow plugs can be present at various locations depending on the type of engine. A pre-chambered engine will have the glow plugs inside the pre-chambers whereas the direct-injected engines will have them in the combustion chamber.

Here are the types of car glow plugs:

1. Metal Rod Glow Plugs - These come equipped with a heating coil in a glow rod, which comprises heat-resistant metal. To protect the heating coil from vibrations and shocks, magnesium oxide is present in the interior of the glow rod. The reason magnesium oxide is used is that it is a great thermal conductor, the heat hence created can be easily and quickly distributed outward. These glow plugs are further divided into three major groups; standard rod glow plugs, self-regulating rod glow plugs, and AQGS rod glow plugs.

2. Ceramic High-temperature Glow Plugs - This is also known as (“NHTC glow plug”, “New High-Temperature Ceramic. It was developed particularly to enable automotive manufacturers to abide by the emissions standards. Its primary goal is to reduce the compression ratio in diesel engines. The NHTC glow plugs can reach 1,000°C temperature in less than two seconds. They also can afterglow for over ten minutes at temperatures up to 1,350°C.

When looking to purchase a new glow plug for your vehicle, look out for the following features:

• The plug should can start the engine quickly and smoothly
• It should offer excellent quality post-glow function
• It should have a long service life
• Should be energy efficient and environment friendly

Have a look at the working of the car glow plug:

It’s pretty simple to understand how the glow plug does its job. The glow plug has a heating element at its tip. When the glow plug is turned on this tip gets heated, the heat produced is focussed into the engine cylinders. This allows the engine block and parts around it to heat. During heating, the glow plugs also emit light, which is how they end up glowing. Once the engine has reached a particular temperature, a fuel mist is sprayed into the cylinder, which causes it to combust and give power to the engine.

Like other parts in the ignition system, glow plugs also face certain issues because of various reasons. Below are four such problems that your vehicle's glow plug may face.

1. Excessive carbon buildup in the pre chambers - After a certain amount the carbon buildup can cause shorting or even overheating of the plug. This will cause the tip of the glow plug to burn out completely. It is important to always use the right carbon reamer at the time of changing the glow plugs.

2. Glow cycle is too lengthy - Even though it’s not as common, it is a possibility. The glow cycle can become lengthy if there is a fault in the relay which causes the glow plug to turn off very slowly. In such a scenario you will be able to see that your vehicle's battery isn’t able to charge properly, because of a high current drain on the electrical system. If you want to check for this problem, simply start the engine and wait for a minute to test the glow plug circuit with a meter or 12-volt test light. In case you find that the voltage showing up at the wiring connections, it’s a sign that your relay hasn’t turned off and would require replacement.

3. Incorrect spray pattern of the fuel injectors - In case the fuel injectors of your vehicle are injecting a large stream of raw fuel, then it can stress the tips of the glow plugs. They will not be able to handle a rapid cool down. This results in the burning of the element.

Here are some symptoms to look out for if you suspect an issue with the glow plug:

1. Engine misfires or reduced power and acceleration - One of the first symptoms you will notice caused because of a glow plug problem is an engine misfire. Malfunctioning glow plugs cannot provide the heat needed to aid combustion in diesel engines. This causes engine misfire. Because of this misfire, there’s a cause of loss in power, acceleration and reduced fuel efficiency.

2. Hard starting - Diesel engines rely solely on cylinder pressures to ignite the diesel fuel mixture, unlike gas engines which ignite via spark plug. A failed glow plug will cause the engine having to overcome additional pressure to ignite the mixture, which will cause a hard start.

3. Black smoke emitting from the exhaust - Problematic glow plugs may end up disturbing the sensitive diesel combustion process. This will cause the engine to produce black smoke from the tailpipe. It is important to have a professional mechanic diagnose this problem, as black smoke could be because of other reasons as well.

Several skilled auto mechanics aim to open their car repair shop in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient and profit-making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are several tools that you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Glow Plug may include:

• New glow plugs that are vehicle compatible
• Ratchet set
• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Glow plug chamber reaming tool

If you know which car parts brand suits the best for your Glow Plug, then it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we believe is that picking a particular brand would always help reduce the clutter, and would make it easier for the customers to find what they are actually looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for Glow Plug below:-

• NGK Canada Glow Plug Parts
• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Glow Plug Parts
• Autolite Glow Plug Parts
• Bosch Glow Plug Parts
• Beck/Arnley Glow Plug Parts
• Champion Spark Plug Glow Plug Parts

If you are like most of us, then you won’t know much about the related components of the car Glow Plug. Fear not! Here is a quick and easy guide to explain the related parts of the Glow Plug.

• Glow Plug Sensor
• Glow Plug Power Strap
• Glow Plug Connector

There are a lot of factors that should be considered when you are thinking of replacing Glow Plug. First, decide if you require some related parts of a Glow Plug or a whole Glow Plug. Then, the next step is to decide what type of make and the type of Glow Plug you are dealing with, and then from where will you get a brand new one. Just keep in mind that a brand new Glow Plug which would come from a warehouse would cost much more than the one you will get in a junkyard. After that, the next point to be considered is where you will get it replaced and how quickly it needs to be done. The average cost for a glow plug replacement can be between $192 and $248. Labor costs typically will be between $143 and $181 (Approximately). The parts may range from $49 to $67. The estimate does not include taxes and fees.

Here are the steps to be able to change the glow plug in your vehicle:

Step 1- Locate the glow plugs in the engine compartment

Find them at the top of the cylinder head. If you don’t know the glow plug location, you can always refer to your vehicle manual for the exact location.

Step 2 - Remove the glow plug wires

These wires are present beneath the engine valve covers. One of them will be attached to the top of the glow plug and the other is attached to the engine. Carefully remove the wire attached to the glow plug. Remove all the small nuts that hold the wires to the glow plugs. Use a wrench for this. Now nuzzle the wires aside and repeat the process to remove each glow plug wire safely.

Step 3 - Remove the glow plugs carefully, one at a time

Using a ratchet loosen each glow plug from its socket.

Step 4 - Clean each electrical contact and nut

Be patient and thoroughly clean all the electrical contact and nuts. These get dirty over time just like the battery contacts.

Step 5 - Use a reamer and ream the glow plug hole for each glow plug

This step is needed to clean the glow plug hole. Be careful and ream only as much as needed to remove any buildup that is present.

Step 6 - Replace each plug and tighten them down with a ratchet

Using a ratchet tighten down all the plugs after replacing them. Be steady and don’t rush this step to ensure a perfect installation.