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08-22-2016, 02:47 PM
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#1
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Pacific North Wet
Posts: 2,186
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Driving with failed glow plugs?
Hello Everyone,
I am considering the purchase of a rig with a 7.3 diesel. The glow plugs are failed. I have no idea if it is the glow plugs, harness or relay at this point.
If I buy it I will have a 800 mile drive home from the Bay area to Seattle. Interstate driving and warm weather.
What are the potential problems driving a 7.3 equipped rig with failed glow plugs?
My Cummins 5.9 does not run the grid heaters (instead of glow plugs) in warm weather and has no issues but I know very little about the 7.3's.
Am I safe to drive it in this condition?
Thanks
S.
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08-22-2016, 04:27 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,033
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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The primary thing the glow plugs do is make it easier to start, especially when cool, and in cooler weather. Once running and warmed up, the glow plugs don't do much of anything.
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08-22-2016, 04:44 PM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Pacific North Wet
Posts: 2,186
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur
The primary thing the glow plugs do is make it easier to start, especially when cool, and in cooler weather. Once running and warmed up, the glow plugs don't do much of anything.
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That is my understanding.
My Cummins has grid heaters instead of glow plugs but they perform a similar function. In warm weather they don't run or only run for a very short period. I know that if they failed I probably would not notice until the weather cools somewhat.
What I don't know is how the Ford would behave in similar circumstances and if there are any other potential ill effects.
Thanks for the reply.
S.
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08-22-2016, 05:04 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 1,688
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Her, me and Molly
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Glow plug/grid heaters are only for starting. Actually glow plugs are off once the glow timer times off, before you engage starter.
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08-22-2016, 05:32 PM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Pacific North Wet
Posts: 2,186
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa
Glow plug/grid heaters are only for starting. Actually glow plugs are off once the glow timer times off, before you engage starter.
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That is my understanding.
My Cummins has grid heaters instead of glow plugs but they perform a similar function. In warm weather they don't run or only run for a very short period. I know that if they failed I probably would not notice until the weather cools somewhat.
What I don't know is how the Ford would behave in similar circumstances and if there are any other potential ill effects.
Thanks for the reply.
S.
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08-22-2016, 05:42 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 1,688
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Her, me and Molly
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You don't want glow plugs on anything to be on when the engine is running, it will cause preignition. Like pinging in a gas engine.
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08-22-2016, 05:45 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Pacific North Wet
Posts: 2,186
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa
You don't want glow plugs on anything to be on when the engine is running, it will cause preignition. Like pinging in a gas engine.
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Shouldn't be a problem on this one as they don't work.
Anyone aware of any potential issues with running the rig 800 miles without them in reasonably warm weather?
I wouldn't think that there is but there are things that I don't know and I prefer not finding out that I was wrong the hard (expensive) way.
Thanks.
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08-22-2016, 06:28 PM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Maryland / Boulder
Posts: 345
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: CAT 3126b Rotella-Chugger
Rated Cap: 72
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Should be no issues running that 800 miles in warm weather. Or even cold weather once the engine is started. You'll be fine, they're off when the engine is running.
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08-22-2016, 08:04 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 13,386
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC
Chassis: CE300
Engine: DT466E
Rated Cap: 32
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Cal's shorty should be fine. Tell him I sent you and get a big discount!
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08-22-2016, 08:13 PM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,644
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somewhereinusa
You don't want glow plugs on anything to be on when the engine is running, it will cause preignition. Like pinging in a gas engine.
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As I understand it, glow plugs on the 7.3L do stay on for 30 seconds or so after the engine has started. When watching my digital battery monitor I see my starting bank voltage staying down around 11 volts until I get out the driveway, then it pops up to 14.x volts.
As everyone here said, no problem driving with dead glows. It may be harder to start but once you're running it's all good.
If your bus has OBDII diagnostics many auto parts stores will scan your error codes for free.
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