Glow plug use when engine is hot?

[fastcat800]

What do you guys do when the engine is hot. I usually let the glow plugs cycle and then start it but every once and a while I forget and hit the key right way. It starts right up when its warm. Does this hurt anything? It seems this would prolong the glow plug life if they didn't have to full cycle every time.

[BobND]

My 1994 6.5 has 180,000 miles on it , and I recently verified all the glow plugs are OK. They have never been changed. The computer cycles them at EVERY start, warm, or cold, and if they've held up this long, I ain't gonna complain.

A while back, I "modded" my 1984 SUB to allow glow plug operation when warm, and increased GP heat time duration. (I'm running 60's.)

It starts MUCH better warm, now, with the GP's cycling, with WAY less startup smoke.

So, as far as warm GP operation on your 6.5 is concerned, I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[john8662]

It's normal, and it's a good thing that really doesn't seem to affect the glow plug life.

My 95 does the same thing, GM did this to ensure that the engine would start when it was hot and in the between needing glow time and not. This also helps to get a cleaner start, less smoke.

[rjschoolcraft]

The previous comments are all good. It will not, however, hurt anything if you "forget" to let the glow plugs fully cycle on a warm engine.

[tom.mcinerney]

like john wrote
>>helps to get a cleaner start, less smoke.

On my old VW use of GPs when engine warm was expressly forbidden , to preserve early GPs.

[20050627|3|008327|000043|65.183.99.20]

I wait for the GP's to cycle more because I don't like the idea of powering the GP's and the starter at the same time. Seems to be a lot of power drawn and (I think) it will shorten the life of the starter.

Let me know if I'm wrong and if the GP's turn off if the starter is engaged.

[JohnC]

Originally posted by Tacklewasher:
Let me know if I'm wrong and if the GP's turn off if the starter is engaged. I think they do. Watch the indicator and convince yourself. (The indicator is powered off the same wire as the plugs are)

[kowsoc]

On a warm start glow time is fairly short so I don't think it would affect glow-plug life very much. I usually let them cycle to be sure of a clean start. Just my $.02.....

[fastcat800]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I know the light goes out when you start to crank the motor. I haven't noticed any smoke when I have done this but I wasn't looking for smoke either. The truck seems to start just as quickly either way when it is hot and has only been sitting a 10-15 minutes.

[20050627|3|008327|000043|65.183.99.20]

Originally posted by JohnC:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Tacklewasher:
Let me know if I'm wrong and if the GP's turn off if the starter is engaged. I think they do. Watch the indicator and convince yourself. (The indicator is powered off the same wire as the plugs are) </font>[/QUOTE]The indicator stays on when starting so I assume th GP's are on as well. Seems like a lot of current from the batteries and not enough will go to the starter.

[JohnC]

Originally posted by Tacklewasher:
The indicator stays on when starting so I assume th GP's are on as well. Seems like a lot of current from the batteries and not enough will go to the starter. Easy to fix. Get a '95... ;)

Seriously, the glow plugs draw less than 100 amps. Minimum you have is 2 650 CCA batteries, so ...

[20050627|3|008327|000043|65.183.99.20]

Originally posted by JohnC:
Easy to fix. Get a '95... ;)
tongue.gif



Seriously, the glow plugs draw less than 100 amps. Minimum you have is 2 650 CCA batteries, so ... Hmmm. Is that all? I've to two 850's so maybe I'm fussing about nothing.

[Dihrdbowti]

When I get in to my truck I put the key in and turn it to on then put my seat belt on. By that time the GP's have cycled and I start right up. It's now a habit so I don't even think about it anymore.

[moedog]

I NEVER WAIT WHEN HOT. HOWEVER I REPLACED THE GPS WITH JOHN KENNDYS QUICK STARTS AT 65000 MILES SO MAYBE ITS HARD ON THEM NOT TO WAIT.
BUT WHY TAX THE BATTERIES WHEN YOU REALLY DONT NEED THEM ON WARM STARTS???
THATS MY 5 CENTS WORTH