A diesel engine relies on glow plugs when you first fire it up. Diesel engines require a lot of heat to start and keep running. When you turn the key in the ignition, the glow plugs generate heat to provide the perfect conditions for combustion. This is the only time the glow plugs work, which is one reason why they last much longer than spark plugs do. Moose Jaw Truck Shop is going to list the problems your diesel truck may experience when the glow plugs have gone bad.
Check Engine Warning
One of the first things that might happen is your check engine light will turn on. This is an indication that there is something wrong in the engine. In this case, the problem is faulty glow plugs.
Difficulties Starting the Engine
As we mentioned above, the engine relies on the glow plugs in order to start. If the glow plugs are malfunctioning and are unable to produce heat, you will have problems starting the diesel engine. Admittedly, diesel engines crank a few more times before they start than gasoline engines do. This being said, hard starts can definitely point to a problem with the glow plugs.
Misfiring Diesel Engine
You’re going to see a pattern here. A diesel engine must have the right conditions in order to prevent misfiring. Part of those conditions is the engine’s temperature. The glow plugs help increase the engine temperature so the engine will ignite. The engine needs to be at 232 degrees Celsius for your diesel automobile to start. If the temperature is off, your diesel engine may misfire.
Rough Engine Idle
Sometimes, you may end up with one glow plug that has burned out. It might also be damaged. Unfortunately, since this glow plug contributes to the heat needed to start and maintain combustion, your engine may idle roughly with the bad glow plug. One faulty plug can also make starting your diesel engine much harder than normal.
White Exhaust Smoke
Finally, if your engine is running unusually cold because of malfunctioning glow plugs, you might see white exhaust flowing out of the tailpipe. This can happen because the fuel is not burning efficiently. There needs to be enough heat to burn the diesel fuel effectively. Lack of heat will cause an inefficient fuel burn and you will see white exhaust smoke as a result.
Call Moose Jaw Truck Shop in Moose Jaw, SK, today if you suspect glow plug problems in your diesel automobile’s engine. We can replace the glow plugs if they need it.
