How to Install Glow Plugs
Installing glow plugs on a diesel engine is a quick maintenance project that can be done with just a few tools. Glow plugs are to diesel engines what spark plugs are to gasoline engines. The primary difference is that spark plugs provide heat by creating an actual spark, while glow plugs warm up over time and get to a temperature where they can ignite the diesel fuel. This is possible because diesel fuel has a very low ignition point.
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Instructions
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1
Park the vehicle on a flat surface and set the parking brake. Open the hood and disconnect the battery.
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2
Disconnect the glow plug wire from the top of the glow plug by gripping the sides firmly and pulling straight up. The glow plug is located in the cylinder head, which is under the hood and near the center of the engine. The position will vary slightly depending on the type of vehicle, but the plug can be found by tracing the glow plug wire to its beginning.
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3
Unscrew the old glow plug with a socket wrench and a deep-well socket.
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4
Screw a glow plug reaming tool into the hole as far as possible and then remove it. This will clear the glow plug opening of debris.
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5
Place the new glow plug in the hole and twist it clockwise by hand until it is snug. Make sure the threads are seated properly to avoid damaging the new plug. Finish tightening the plug with the socket wrench and deep-well socket.
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Reconnect the glow plug wire by gripping the sides and pushing downwards firmly. If the wire does not seat properly at first, rock it back and forth slightly while pushing straight down.
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Repeat with the rest of the glow plugs.
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Tips & Warnings
Work on one glow plug at a time to assure that all of the wires will go to the correct plugs.
