How to Replace Powerstroke Glow Plugs
If you are having problems starting your Ford power stroke diesel, you might need to replace the glow plugs. A gasoline engine creates a spark with the spark plug while a diesel engine creates heat with the glow plugs. Sometimes, the glow plugs go bad or malfunction. The main symptom of a bad glow plug is that it will not start or takes a few tries to start. Replacing glow plugs is similar to replacing spark plugs.
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Instructions
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1
Open the hood on your power stroke Ford.
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Locate the glow plugs by examining the engine compartment. You should see the glow plugs lined up in the center of the engine.
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3
Remove the silver-colored connection wire that surrounds the glow plugs.
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4
Place your socket wrench over the first glow plug.
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Wiggle the socket wrench while pushing down on it. This is to make sure that you reach the retaining nut at the bottom of the glow plug.
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Turn the socket wrench in a counter clockwise (left) motion in order to loosen the glow plug. Do not try to completely remove the glow plug at this point.
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Twist the glow plug with your hands until you can pull it up and out of the socket.
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8
Place your new glow plug into the empty channel.
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Tighten the glow plug with your hand for a few turns. The purpose of using your hand for the first few turns is so that you make sure the plug is lined up (threaded) correctly with the retaining nut. If it is threading correctly, it will line up and screw in easily. If it seems like the glow plug is stuck after a few turns, then it is not threading correctly, and you should take the glow plug out and try again.
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Tighten the glow plug with your socket wrench.
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Repeat these steps for the remaining glow plugs.
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Replace the connection wire.
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References
- Photo Credit detail of diesel engine image by Petr Gnuskin from Fotolia.com
