Replacing Glow Plugs

[lreops]

After what seems to be a lot of time for Glow Plugs to heat enough to allow smooth starting, plus the fact that they are thirty years old (and probably need to retire), and lastly that they are not that expensive, I decided to change mine. Got 2/3rds of them changed. The third? Well one of the Fuel rails from the injector pump to the injector nozzel is in the way. I have an idea as what will need to be done, just never had to before. It appears that I need to disconnect the one rail at the pump to access the GP. Am I correct in that I will have to Bleed the system because of opening this line? And if so, is all I need to do after connecting the rail back to the pump is crack the other end at the injector for any air to escape while cranking? As far as "spillage" when disconnected, will it be just what is in that rail?

Thanks for your replies.


Ron

 

[phildac]

Yep, spot on. My buddy has a L245 with the same issue you have. The front glow plug was being blocked but the injector line. You could bleed the other two injectors lines if you had issue's.

 

[MikeL]

Just did the plugs on my L235 last month. If you remove the intake manifold it is a piece of cake. Be careful with the gasket. I tore my and cutting a new one took me longer than anything else.

By the way, do you have the parts list book for the l235. The website does not list some of the PTO differences?

Thanks.

 

[lreops]

By the way, do you have the parts list book for the l235. The website does not list some of the PTO differences?

Thanks.

Yes, I have a Parts Manual.


Ron

 

[lreops]

An update on the changing of my third and last GP. Finally got around to doing the last one which required a little more work to exchange them. Undid the fuel line at the injector pump, gently bent it, enough out of the way and bing bang, done. Thought about the suggestion of removing the intake manifold, but seemed to be unnecessary and more work.

I had also got a new GP Indicator, as I had never seen any signs of glowing when applied. I know the GP's were working as that is the only way it will start when cold. Again, a simple task to exchange, ONCE you get the dash detached. In my case, the tabs that are the anchors for the screws are not in the best shape. So, I was expecting a small challenge when I got around to doing it.

Well, let me tell you of my total disbelief and amazement of when I decided to check out how the new GP's worked. What used to be a good 60 seconds on the GP's, with no sign of ANY glow at the indicator, for it to start. Now after about 15 seconds, the thirty year old GP Indicator had a noticeable start of a glow, and by 30 seconds, full red hot and BINGO, fired right up like it was a 90° day. What a difference for less than $20.00 (not including the Indicator).

As a side note, I hooked the old plugs up to a power source and they all would get hot, so as suspected, they were working but must of been real tired.

In any case, just thought that I would finish this post with a big SUCCESS!

Ron