Glow plugs are used to warm the diesel engine up so that it will start. If you’ve ever tried to start your diesel engine on a cold day, you know how difficult it is to get it firing. It’s important to have your glow plugs replaced when they need it. Village Diesel Works lists the signs of faulty glow plugs below.
1. Hard Starts
Because your diesel engine needs the excess heat that the glow plugs provide, if they aren’t able to generate this heat, you will have difficulty starting the diesel engine. This is definitely a sign that it’s time to get the glow plugs replaced, especially if it isn’t that cold outside and your engine shouldn’t have any problems getting started.
2. Misfiring Engine
If the glow plugs cannot get the combustion chamber hot enough, you may end up with a misfiring diesel engine. This is because the diesel fuel and air are not hot enough to be fired efficiently. The combustion chamber is a very sensitive area in your automobile. It must reach at least 232 degrees Fahrenheit in order to fire correctly.
3. Idling Roughly
The same holds true when your engine is idling. If the combustion chamber is not at the right temperature, the engine will misfire and, thereby, idle roughly. This can happen if even one of your glow plugs has burned out.
4. Low Fuel Economy
How bad glow plugs affect your fuel economy is somewhat complicated. In colder weather, additives are included in the diesel fuel to help lower the point where it freezes. Unfortunately, these additives have a lower energy density, which reduces the fuel’s efficiency. If the glow plugs are unable to heat the fuel up adequately, this will reduce your fuel efficiency even more.
5. White Exhaust
Rarely do you see white exhaust smoke pouring out of the diesel automobile’s tailpipe. If you see white exhaust smoke coming out of your diesel truck’s tailpipe, this is an indication that the diesel fuel is not hot enough in the combustion chamber. You may also smell the diesel fuel.
6. Black Exhaust
Finally, if the bad glow plugs are affecting the balance of air and fuel in the combustion chamber, you may end up with a rich fuel mixture and black exhaust smoke flowing out of the tailpipe.
Don’t worry. Village Diesel Works in Woodbury, MN, can replace your glow plugs if they need it. Call us today for a service appointment.