Due to the specifics of its design, a diesel engine is sometimes quite difficult to start at low temperatures. In order to ensure a reliable start, a car with a diesel power unit is equipped with a special system that performs the functions of heating the engine combustion chamber.
The owners of cars with diesel engines begin to feel all the advantages of a working preheating system already with the onset of the first cold weather. One of the main components of this system, necessary for its correct operation, are the glow plugs. If even one glow plug fails, then starting the diesel engine will be quite problematic.
General information
Glow plugs provide a quick start of the diesel engine even at an air temperature of +5 degrees. Based on this, you must always monitor the health of these important parts. As a rule, such control should be carried out throughout the cold season - with the arrival of autumn and until mid-spring.
In most cases, the need for the glow plugs to work occurs immediately before the start of the diesel unit, however, the trend in recent years is such that on many new car models, these parts continue to work even after the engine is turned on. Thus, the operation of the "cold" engine becomes stable, since the combustible mixture has a higher temperature and, accordingly, ignites better.
In order to check the serviceability of the glow plugs, it is not at all necessary to contact the service station specialists. It is enough to know some technical nuances and have the necessary measuring tool available.
Checking the glow plugs
In order to check the serviceability of the glow plug, it is not necessary to remove it from the engine. It is enough to simultaneously connect to the spark plug and the "ground" of the car with a special tester in the resistance measurement mode (ohmmeter or voltmeter) and thus check the resistance of the part. If the candle is faulty, then the contact on the device will be absent.
In order to check the glow plug removed from the engine, it must be connected to the battery - plus to the terminal, minus to the plug body. After a few seconds, the spiral of a working candle should light up. If ignition does not occur, then the spark plug is faulty and should be replaced.
I must say that the second method is not always practical, since manufacturers often install glow plugs in very hard-to-reach places. For example, in order to get to a part on a BMW car, you must first remove the intake and exhaust manifolds, which is difficult enough for a person without the appropriate experience.
