I put some new glow plugs in SWMBO's 1.5 Saxo on Sunday, as the old ones were on the way out. The car started ok then, but since it has been an absolute pig with clouds of white smoke billowing out. I wonder if I have been sent a set of dodgy plugs or perhaps the relay has gone, maybe on the way out and not up to the new plugs? All the connections seem clean and tight.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 12/11/2008 at 12:22
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Nip down the accessory shop [or fleabay] and get yourself one of those useful 12v circuit testers for under a fiver.
Then you can test for voltage and check both the feed and all the plugs.
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How was the car starting on the old plugs? The symptoms you now describe are classic "no or inadequate pre-heat". You can't tell to look at a glowplug if it's "on the way out", if it passes a current draw test and has no significant tip damage, it's OK.
Use only Beru GN 912 plugs in this engine. As suggested above, check the operating voltage and times. These are 12V plugs and should energise at key-on. If you then do nothing, the safety timer should disconnect them after about 20s. Check the plugs see 12V before and after start (about 13.5V after start) and that post-heat is operative. The plugs can stay on for up to 10 mins on this engine at present temperatures, depending on engine load.
If there are any low or intermittent supplies, check the 2 ring tags under the controller. They are secured with nyloc nuts and the controller heat (there's a shunt inside) melts the nylon rings out of the nuts which then work loose. Fit spring washers.
Post back if the plug voltages are correct and I'll outline the current draw test to find defective plugs in-situ.
659.
Edited by 659FBE on 12/11/2008 at 14:11
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Thanks for the input.
The firm who supplied the plugs (JDW Automotive) sent me out a replacement set which I fitted last night and the car started ok this morning, so some all all of the originals must have been duffers.
Unusual, because I've never had a problem with replacement plugs before.
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Glow plugs are a component which looks simple to make - and isn't. There are lots of plugs out there including those sold by a large high street spares retailer which are just not fit for purpose.
The Beru plugs for this engine have stainless bodies and a ballast resistor in the body of the plug with a temperature coefficient complimentary to the element. This gives a quick warm up and a relatively low steady state dissipation. They also have exceptional thermal cycling durability. (I have no connections with Beru but I used to test glowplugs and other automotive components).
Check the heavy ring tag connections under the controller when you get an opportunity - glad the problem is fixed.
659.
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