What do glow plugs do?

Question

I have a 2.4 turbo diesil. The glow plug light comes on and flashes when I drive shortly after I have started it. I now that they need replacing, but will replacing make any differece to the drive of the car? will it be more smoother or faster?

Please help

Chris

Answer 1

  Glow plugs Help start the diesel burn in cold engines, the light goes out when the engines warm. I will not be any faster or smoother.

Answer 2

Ok, being's that I work on diesel engines every day and have for the past 15 years, I think i might be able to explain. there is a sensor that reads the coolant temp when you turn the key on, it turns on the glow glugs to preheat the combustion chamber and aide with a cold start. the will keep warming after engine start to aide in the initail warm up. glow plugs are like little heaters that glow from the intense heat they generate when energized. As far as helping drive the car, yes they will to some extent, the will make starting much easier, and help the engine to warm some. other than that.. no... won't make it smoother or faster. If you wanted smooth and fast... ya shoulda bought a gasoline engine.... deisels aren't noted for either. hope this helps.

Answer 3

A diesel engine does not rely on spark plugs to fire the fuel mixture but rather it compresses the fuel/air mix to the point of ignition.

To get this process started however, you need the glow plugs to aid the diesel fuel ignition.  Unlike a gasoline engine, the glow plugs are only used at start-up.  Once the engine is running, the compression keeps the engine running.

Answer 4

if the light is flashing after you start, you should be allowing them to warm with the key on the 'on' position before starting.  read your owners manual as to what the flashing light means.

the glow plugs get you going, but after that the extreme compression of the diesel motor is what is supposed to provide ignition.

Answer 5

glow plugs are to a diesel engine what spark plugs are to a gas engine.  replace them according to vehicles maintenance schedule.

Answer 6

Glow plugs preheat the cylinder before you start the engine? You do turn the key on and wait till the lights go out before starting the diesel> They do nothing after it running>

Answer 7

A diesel engine doesn't have sparkplugs to ignite the air/fuel mixture like a gasoline engine does. The ignition occurs when the fuel/air mixture is compressed to 20 times atmospheric pressure. But when a diesel engine is cold, it needs a little help . The glow plugs pre-warm the cylinders so that combustion can take place.