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[relluf]

Hi after the first cold morning this morning the old bus struggled to start, she got going but it was touch n go , So I guess one or more heater plugs are goosed ,now I have a multi meter but not a clue how to test them , could some kind knowledgeable person help me out please by writing in plain speak what I need meter set on and where i put probes etc and what it should read? I guess I will manage changing them but is it normal to do all at the same time? Rang local dealer this morning and he reckoned £16 each is that about right or anyone got any other supplier they know of? chheers in advance,

[Andy B]

Hi after the first cold morning this morning the old bus struggled to start, she got going but it was touch n go , So I guess one or more heater plugs are goosed ,now I have a multi meter but not a clue how to test them , could some kind knowledgeable person help me out please by writing in plain speak what I need meter set on and where i put probes etc and what it should read? I guess I will manage changing them but is it normal to do all at the same time? Rang local dealer this morning and he reckoned £16 each is that about right or anyone got any other supplier they know of? chheers in advance,

I know nothing about TD Omegas, but when I had a glow plug go on my Astra TD last year the started great, but the EML came on as I set off for a few seconds. You need to check which glow plug has a completely different resistance reading form the rest. Disconnect the wiring/supply to the top of each plug and with the meter set on the highest value Ohms touch the black lead to earth & the red to where you disconnected the 12 volt supply. Turn the dial till you get a meaningful reading, do this for each plug & look for the odd one(s) out. I just changed the failed plug, but changing them all wouldn't do any harm .... only your wallet 

[Dodger]

Had a similar prob earlier this year, in all the snow/ice etc. Decided to change glowplugs, as first point of call.
 
If you are going to do them, do all 6 together, else you end up repeatedly taking off the manifold et al to get to them.

£16 each??? My local dealer wanted £9.50 + VAT each, but got some from E-Gay (6 brand new NGK, boxed, unopened)  for £29.50 inc P&P. 
 job takes about an hour + to do them all, and you need a deep reach 12mm socket..

Hope this helps. 

[Kneepad]

Also replaced mine with gbay cheapies, £17.50 + PP for a set of 6. False economy to remove the manifold just to change a couple of plugs.

Careful, it is easy to drop the manifold nuts into the bowels of the engine.

[relluf]

Thanks for your input.
Found the £17.50 ones on ebay doesn't say what make they are just top quality !!and they are local to me so maybe see if can go and pick some up, like you say if changing one  I may as well do all together and hopefully that's all the issue is , she has been starting and running fine so I can only put it down to heater plugs do I need a deep socket because of the body length of the plug?

[Kneepad]

Rang local dealer this morning and he reckoned £16 each [\quote]

Even if they don't last as long as the more expensive ones, you can still buy 5 sets for what your dealer was going to charge. 

By the way not only did I lose some nuts but also my socket and ext bar.       

[relluf]

By the way not only did I lose some nuts but also my socket and ext bar.        [/quote]



Cheers I will see if they are there when I do mine lol

[Agemo]

 Re-  "a deep reach 12mm socket."

Never done glowplugs yet, but I thought it required a 27mm window socket. 

DOH! Sorry, that is for the injectors.  :-?

[Debs.]

Don`t discount the possibility that your car`s battery might be failing; the frosty morning would lower the available cranking voltage and consequently the glow-plug temp......perhaps checking it with another car/battery and connecting with jump leads to see if your car starts ok before buying new glowplugs.

[relluf]

Don`t discount the possibility that your car`s battery might be failing; the frosty morning would lower the available cranking voltage and consequently the glow-plug temp......perhaps checking it with another car/battery and connecting with jump leads to see if your car starts ok before buying new glowplugs.

Your right it could be but it seems to spin over very well in fact had the battery been any poorer it would not have started as i had to keep winding to get her going and she only fired on the fourth or fith attempt by which time the power was getting low but enough to spin over at a good rate, also did not have our other car here swmbo had left already

[Omegatoy]

Don`t discount the possibility that your car`s battery might be failing; the frosty morning would lower the available cranking voltage and consequently the glow-plug temp......perhaps checking it with another car/battery and connecting with jump leads to see if your car starts ok before buying new glowplugs.

Your right it could be but it seems to spin over very well in fact had the battery been any poorer it would not have started as i had to keep winding to get her going and she only fired on the fourth or fith attempt by which time the power was getting low but enough to spin over at a good rate, also did not have our other car here swmbo had left already

Hmm was the tank under 20 litres? anyone else thinking what im thinking? I know one or 2 of mine are dodgy, but it always starts second attempt then runs slightly off key for the first 2 seconds, must get round to doing them!!!

[hoofing it]

i'd replace all the plugs but in the meantime turn ignition on a couple of times to give it a extra heat

[Kneepad]

i'd replace all the plugs but in the meantime turn ignition on a couple of times to give it a extra heat

Yup, that's what I was doing before I changed the plugs.   
Not along term solution though as it will shorten the life of the remaining working plugs.

[Kneepad]

Don`t discount the possibility that your car`s battery might be failing; the frosty morning would lower the available cranking voltage and consequently the glow-plug temp......perhaps checking it with another car/battery and connecting with jump leads to see if your car starts ok before buying new glowplugs.

Your right it could be but it seems to spin over very well in fact had the battery been any poorer it would not have started as i had to keep winding to get her going and she only fired on the fourth or fith attempt by which time the power was getting low but enough to spin over at a good rate, also did not have our other car here swmbo had left already

Hmm was the tank under 20 litres? anyone else thinking what im thinking? I know one or 2 of mine are dodgy, but it always starts second attempt then runs slightly off key for the first 2 seconds, must get round to doing them!!!

Yes, another possibility, clogged filter in the lift pump.   

[Omegatoy]

Don`t discount the possibility that your car`s battery might be failing; the frosty morning would lower the available cranking voltage and consequently the glow-plug temp......perhaps checking it with another car/battery and connecting with jump leads to see if your car starts ok before buying new glowplugs.

Your right it could be but it seems to spin over very well in fact had the battery been any poorer it would not have started as i had to keep winding to get her going and she only fired on the fourth or fith attempt by which time the power was getting low but enough to spin over at a good rate, also did not have our other car here swmbo had left already

Hmm was the tank under 20 litres? anyone else thinking what im thinking? I know one or 2 of mine are dodgy, but it always starts second attempt then runs slightly off key for the first 2 seconds, must get round to doing them!!!

Yes, another possibility, clogged filter in the lift pump.   

or lift pump not lifting!!