Your diesel engine has glow plugs instead of spark plugs. These little miracle workers heat up the engine so it can get started. Diesel engines run much hotter than gasoline engines do. As such, it’s hard to get them started when they are cold. United Diesel Repair lists six signs that your glow plugs are going bad below. We can replace them when they need it.
1. Difficulty Starting the Car or Truck
As we just mentioned, it’s difficult to start your diesel engine if the glow plugs are bad or damaged. These plugs heat up the combustion chamber so the air and diesel fuel ignite. If they are unable to produce heat, it will be impossible to get the air and diesel fuel ignited and combustion started. Without combustion, your diesel engine will not run.
2. Misfiring Engine
If the glow plugs are unable to increase the heat inside the combustion chamber, even if you do get your vehicle started, it may misfire. Diesel engines run best when the combustion chamber reaches 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If the glow plugs are unable to generate enough heat to reach this temperature, you may be able to get the vehicle started but the engine will misfire.
3. Rough Idling
This engine temperature issue will also cause your engine to idle roughly. Again, if there isn’t enough heat in the diesel engine, you will have engine performance issues such as rough idling and the misfiring problems discussed above. Rough idling can also be caused by fuel distribution problems or an issue with the quality of your diesel fuel.
4. Poor Fuel Economy
When the combustion chamber isn’t operating efficiently, your diesel engine isn’t operating efficiently. This causes problems with your diesel fuel’s economy, which is usually quite economical. In fact, diesel fuel economy rivals that of hybrid vehicles, so if you notice a significant difference in your fuel mileage, it could be bad glow plugs.
5. White Exhaust
If there isn’t enough heat in the engine to burn the diesel fuel, you’ll end up with white exhaust smoke pouring out of the tailpipe. This exhaust smoke is filled with unburned fuel particles, so you will be able to smell fuel in the exhaust.
6. Black Exhaust
Black exhaust means that the air-to-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is off. More common causes of this problem are faulty fuel injectors or another fuel delivery problem. This being said, faulty glow plugs can also throw everything off inside the combustion chamber.
United Diesel Repair is the best diesel repair shop in Flowery Branch, GA. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
