Went to church this morning, and when it was over, i was walking by a guy me and dad know. He has either an older 7.3 IDI, or powerstroke that he uses on the farm. He was kinda smiling, and said did that dodge start up ok this morning expecting me to say no, i guess(it was like 15 degrees). I said, yeah, it fired right up, and i didnt even have it plugged in. He looked kinda puzzles, and said, you mean, you DID have it plugged in? I said nope. Dad plugged it in about 20 minutes before i left, but i said, i dont think that did, any good. He said, you got new glow plugs? Then i said my truck dont have glow plugs, he just looked at me puzzled again. Thought it was funny

Eric

 

I used to have a '94 7.3 IDI Ford Dually Crewcab. Loved the truck, really disliked the engine, HATED the auto transmission. I remember glowplugs. I replaced about 3 a year as long as I owned the truck. Although, I don't recall having trouble very often getting it started in cold weather. Only plugged it in once, when I had to take my wife to the hospital at 5 AM when it was below zero.

 

A guy I plow snow with has a 97 PSD that he pulls a little trailer with and thats it, well he changed glow plugs a while ago and about 3 months later truck starts running like crap. One of the glow plugs broke off, trashed the piston, cylinder wall and then sent some pieces out the exaust and took out the turbo. Right now he is looking for an entire engine BTW truck only has 70000 mi on it

 

Whats a glow plug? Don't need any stinkin glow plugs here.

 

That sucks. Too bad his engine got trashed.

Really sucks when dammage is done an engine like that when it's not worn out just had bad luck or a mishap. I've never heard of a glow plug breaking off like that.

 

I dont know. Some start ok i guess, but there is a boy at school that has one(1994 7.3 IDI). Yesterday it was 50 degrees, and sunny and the nicest day weve had in a while. He parked behind me. Heard him crank his for about 5 seconds, and stop. Got in mine, fired it up within half crank. Got out, and started walkin back there, and he tried it again, and no go. Finally the 3rd time of cranking probably 5 seconds it fired off. All i can figure is that he has a bunch of bad glowplugs, or the relay is bad. There is another boy at school that drives his dads old beat up 6.9, and it starts way better than the boys 7.3. I dont know. I do HATE glow plugs though just from listening to the troubles the ford guys have with them. They are a pain to replace, and not reliable at all. I LOVE my grid heaters!

Eric

 

I second that.

My 6.9 won't start in 90* weather without using the glow plugs. The Cummins on the other hand, it will start at 30* without the grids, and not plugged in overnight. HUGE difference.

 

i had one,

I know (1993 F250 7.3 idi... 4x4 ZF5 4.10 gearing and some mods.. only engine mod was K&N though...) Anything under 40 degrees would pose a problem to start.. other than that it was a great truck.. I wasnt too crazy about the glow plugs either.. I would plug it in, but to save starters etc.... Other than that what a difference with the cummins.... Truck pulled very well, was good off the road, decent fuel mileage under 60 mph, or 2000 rpms Only problems were a dying injector pump, and cold starts, one starter, one clutch, brakes, batteries, and two sets of tires... other than that ok...

TxDiesel007