Glow plug life

[crabbdean]

When I bought my car the guy at the store said I'd go through a glow
plug while running in the car. He said it had a "4" in there but after
run in I should use a "5". What does this numbering mean?

Anyway, a friend told me that glow plugs don't last too long and
generally wear out and that once you have troubles starting your car
you should replace the glow plug. Not sure if this is fact or myth?

After my experiences on the weekend I think the trouble from starting
came from the glow starter battery going flat, not from the glow plus
wearing out.

Anyone got any experience or recommendations when it comes to glow
plugs?

Ta
Dean

[DanTXD]

"crabbdean" <crabbd@tabcorp.com.au> wrote in message
news:1154393403.152404.63230@m73g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
> When I bought my car the guy at the store said I'd go through a glow
> plug while running in the car. He said it had a "4" in there but after
> run in I should use a "5". What does this numbering mean?
>
> Anyway, a friend told me that glow plugs don't last too long and
> generally wear out and that once you have troubles starting your car
> you should replace the glow plug. Not sure if this is fact or myth?
>
> After my experiences on the weekend I think the trouble from starting
> came from the glow starter battery going flat, not from the glow plus
> wearing out.
>
> Anyone got any experience or recommendations when it comes to glow
> plugs?
>
> Ta
> Dean
>

They do sometimes die - moreso during break in. I've had a couple of
experiences of dodgy running been caused by a half knackered plug. 4 and 5
will be different models of plug, depends on the make so I can't tell you
the difference. Personally I just use OS A3 glow plugs, they seem to work
in all weathers here in the UK and give better performance, but in Oz you
may well need something cooler such as an OS Number 8.

--
Dan - on his PC

[crabbdean]

Okay thanks. Do you know what the general life expectancy is? eg. 10
tanks of fuel or 5 hours of use.

Ta
Dean

[DanTXD]

"crabbdean" <crabbd@tabcorp.com.au> wrote in message
news:1154476818.259081.8360@i3g2000cwc.googlegroup s.com...
> Okay thanks. Do you know what the general life expectancy is? eg. 10
> tanks of fuel or 5 hours of use.
>
> Ta
> Dean
>

Totally random as far as i can tell mate, I once broke 3 in a weekend, then
never broke another with that engine after that. Always carry a spare just
in case.

--
Dan - on Laptop

[\Doc\]

"crabbdean" <crabbd@tabcorp.com.au> wrote in message
news:1154476818.259081.8360@i3g2000cwc.googlegroup s.com...
> Okay thanks. Do you know what the general life expectancy is? eg. 10
> tanks of fuel or 5 hours of use.
>
> Ta
> Dean

Plug life really varies so it's hard to give you a number. I average 2-3
gallons per plug, but have had a few puke after a few tanks. In a .21, run
OS A3's (HOT) or OS #8's (medium-hot). The OS A5 (medium cool) will be a
bit too chilly for a .21, although some .25's and .28's like em'.

Doc

[crabbdean]

Okay, thanks. I'll ask about that next time I go to the hobby shop.
So by your comments I'm guessing they don't really degrade in quality
through use. When the blow, then replace them. Is that the philosophy?

Dean

[\Doc\]

"crabbdean" <crabbd@tabcorp.com.au> wrote in message
news:1154566520.951234.243900@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Okay, thanks. I'll ask about that next time I go to the hobby shop.
> So by your comments I'm guessing they don't really degrade in quality
> through use. When the blow, then replace them. Is that the philosophy?
>
> Dean
>

That's <my> philosophy. Every plug that has died on me......has died due to
coil separation up inside the top of the plug, so when you go to relight it,
it doesn't light up.

Doc

[crabbdean]

"Doc" wrote:
> Plug life really varies so it's hard to give you a number. I average 2-3
> gallons per plug, but have had a few puke after a few tanks. In a .21, run
> OS A3's (HOT) or OS #8's (medium-hot). The OS A5 (medium cool) will be a
> bit too chilly for a .21, although some .25's and .28's like em'.
>
> Doc

Actually I did mean to ask, when you say "hot", medium, etc. what are
you referrring to?

I know, beginner questions but I guess I have to learn sometime. Ta

Dean

[\Doc\]

"crabbdean" <crabbd@tabcorp.com.au> wrote in message
news:1154581817.745823.166700@75g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>
> "Doc" wrote:
>> Plug life really varies so it's hard to give you a number. I average 2-3
>> gallons per plug, but have had a few puke after a few tanks. In a .21,
>> run
>> OS A3's (HOT) or OS #8's (medium-hot). The OS A5 (medium cool) will be a
>> bit too chilly for a .21, although some .25's and .28's like em'.
>>
>> Doc
>
> Actually I did mean to ask, when you say "hot", medium, etc. what are
> you referrring to?
>
> I know, beginner questions but I guess I have to learn sometime. Ta
>
> Dean

Ok, glow plugs come in different temps. The temps affect ignition timing
(hotter plug advances ignition, cooler plug retards ignition). As a general
rule of thumb, you'll need hotter plugs in cooler weather and cooler plugs
in hotter weather. Every engine is different and the plug plays some part
in the overall tune. As a beginner, you can't go wrong with OS #8 (medium
hot), get the tune right, then play with different temped plugs once you're
an accomplished tuner.

Doc

[crabbdean]

Thanks mate.

Dean