Can I please get an answer from someone who know what they are talking about. I know alot more about cars then you backyard mechanic s think. I know that glow plugs glow!!! DUHHHH!!! I also know that they have to warm and then you can start your rig or truck!!! DUHHHHH! WHAT EXACTLY IS THE GLOW PLUGS PURPOSE IN A DIESEL ENGINE. Some say its the pre ignition , some say its top warm the cylinder or the air. WHAT IS IT FOR!!!!???? PLEASE AN EXACT ANSWER ON THE RAESON FOR GLOW PLUGS IN DIESELS!!!!!
2006-10-12 15:06:56 · 9 answers · asked by drunkknucklehead 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Diesel engines do not have spark plugs to ignite the fuel. To make a diesel start easier, glow plugs are used. When you turn the switch to ON, these glow plugs, in the cylinder glow red hot.
You should give them time to get plenty hot. Most diesels have a light that will tell you when they are hot and it is time to turn your switch to "start". When you crank your engine over they will help ignite the fuel. The electronic system will turn the glow plugs off after a couple of minutes. At that point the diesel is running and will continue to run without the glow plugs being energized.
I understand that the glow plugs will remain red hot without using electricity, with just the fuel igniting. Diesels have tremendous amounts of compression and the heat of the fuel being compressed will make the diesel keep running and the fire created in the cylinders will keep the glow plugs hot.
In the south, in the summer time, you don't really have to use glow plugs to start diesels, but they make it easier for the engine to start. Does this help? Pops
2006-10-12 15:21:31 · answer #1 · answered by Pops 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when a diesel engine runs it compresses the air so much it gets very hot and then the diesel is injected at just the right time so it will ignite and burn making power
when the weather is cold the glow plug helps this process till the engine is running and has more heat in it so the incoming air is hot er sooner
compression alone cant all ways heat the air up to high enough temperatures when the block pistons and heads are cold
2006-10-12 22:26:26 · answer #2 · answered by big_t_1_1999 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Diesel engines work without spark plugs. They use the heat of compression (from the cylinders/pistons moving up) to ignite the fuel/air mixture. But the temperature has to be right. If it is too cold it will not ignite - meaning your car will not run in the winter. Or in colder weather you will see alot of smoke from incomplete combustion as well. By using glow plugs your engine is kept at the right temp for combustion to take place.
2006-10-12 22:11:33 · answer #3 · answered by PAT A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Exactly what I answered before. You basically answered your own question, they glow and warm the inside so the fuel is at a closer flash point when the cylinder compresses the fuel it ignites faster or in some cases when really cold ignites at all.
2006-10-12 22:12:40 · answer #4 · answered by waltnsue2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the glow plugs are for aiding in starting the engine. a diesel needs this because it has no ignition system. after the first few seconds they cease to operate
2006-10-12 23:47:53 · answer #5 · answered by lizardhead 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Couldn't have said it better myself than the way Pops put it. I would only like to add that most modern diesel engines glow plug control systems will vary the amount of "on" time depending on ambient temperature. If ambient temperatures are above a certain amount, sometimes they won't turn on at all.
2006-10-12 22:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
glow plugs warm the combustion chambers in a diesel engine basically any temp below 50 degrees f. they stay on up to 40 seconds, depending on temp.
2006-10-12 22:41:38 · answer #7 · answered by gearhead_35k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are just there to start the damn truck you jackass you obviously don't know more otherwise you would know this answer. all they do is start the truck. that's there only purpose is to start the Eng. nothing else but to START THE ENG.
2006-10-12 22:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by mustang656 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jeez, take a chill pill before you blow a gasket. IT IS PART OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM.
2006-10-12 22:09:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋