Glow Plugs going bad and questions

[stationjj]

My CUCV is getting harder to start. I purchased a M1009 from a private individual recently.

He had replaced the IP, starter, and GP card and relay.

After some research on SS I have no doubt I got plow plug issues. I am looking for good GPs that are ok with 24 Volt and easy install.

Here is my question. Since I am new to diesels and CUCVs. I work with a local mechanic to help me out. I am learning as I go.

How long will I still be able to start CUCV with bad GPs? It will be late next week before I can have my mechanic help me replace GPs. I suspect that until I start repair I shouldn't try to start or drive as this may cause more GP damage.

Simply, should let the CUCV sit idle until I can drive it to replace GPs? I fear the starting and heating up of GPs may cause further damage.

I want to avoid a tow charge. It may take a while, but I suspect I could get a few more starts out of her?

Also is there some trick to help start CUCV with bad GPs?

Thank You for your help.

John

 

[SGTskully]

I removed the resistor packs and replaced my glow plugs with AC60G's Also do the doghead relay conversion and keep posted to this forum daily.

 

[cucv1833]

I removed the resistor packs and replaced my glow plugs with AC60G's Also do the doghead relay conversion and keep posted to this forum daily.

First read the Tm-20 on glow plug trouble shooting in the trouble shooting section.http://www.steelsoldiers.com/cucv-tms/ . test your glow plug system as per the TM too confirm thats your problem then report back. It could be a fuel problem instead.

The acual glow plugs are 12v not 24v. I prefer the AC60G. You shouldnt need a mechanic to help you with this.


Read through some of these threads.
Hard to start
hard start after 3-5 days
Glow plug replacement
Wont Start
Hard starting CUCV's
Starting Hard

 

[mistaken1]

Have you downloaded all of the manuals? Glow plugs may or may not be your problem.

In a stock system you should not need 24V glow plugs. The resistor on the firewall will drop the voltage to the glow plugs. The voltage drop only takes place when current flows so just measuring voltage at the glow plug relay in a stock system will show 24V.

If you suspect bad glow plugs you should change them as soon as possible. If they swell they can be difficult to remove and even break off inside the head if you hurry too much. The actual changing of the glow plugs (that are not swollen) is easy. Much like changing spark plugs, you need a 10mm deep socket. I used various length extension with a 3/8 ratchet. You can reach the back ones from underneath the truck.

Just remove the spade terminal, there is no specific order for these wires; remove the glow plug, check it with an ohm meter between the spade and the threaded body (should be 1 to 3 ohms). If one is swollen you can try gripping it with vise grips and rotating it back and forth while trying to work it out. A pry bar can be used to pry on the vise grips to help work it out. Go slow. If it is not coming out there are tools that allow you to get most all swollen plugs out without breaking the tip.

Many people here recommend the AC60G glow plugs. I like them as well. The spade on the AC glow plug is ¼” meaning it will not fit the standard glow plug terminals. You can cut those terminals off and replace them with red ¼” spade terminals (quick disconnects) or you can file/grind the spades down to 3/16” to fit the stock terminals. What you do depends on you mechanical ability and condition of your stock terminals. My stock terminals were dirty and did not hold tight so I replaced them with ¼” spade terminals. Use a good crimper and then cover the body and an inch or so of wire with heat shrink tubing.

If you have stock system (24V feed through the resistor) then the glow plugs will begin a cascade failure as soon as one goes bad (open). Due to the design of the system when one glow plug goes open that increases the voltage on the remaining plugs. Once that happens it is only a matter of time before the increased voltage causes a second glow plug to burn open which increases the voltage on the remaining good glow plugs. Which causes a third glow plug to fail ……..

The whole point is if they are starting to swell removing them sooner rather than later is always a good idea.

These trucks do not start easily without the glow plugs. People here have offered ideas on how to start without glow plugs. That being said heed the warning not to use ether. A member here blew up his engine using ether. There is a reason for the warning sticker.

I would like to assume this 25+ year old truck is not a daily driver. If that is the case then remove and test the glow plugs or better still just replace all of them. The tool to remove really swollen plugs costs as much as the eight glow plugs.