What Are the Effects of a Faulty Glow Plug on the Engine?
2 Answers
Engine glow plug failure can cause difficulty or poor starting of the vehicle. Glow plugs primarily function in cold weather to preheat the engine. A damaged glow plug can lead to hard starting or prolonged starting time in winter or low temperatures, excessive smoke during cold starts, and no response during preheating, while having no effect on the engine during warmer weather. Solution: Each cylinder is designed with a glow plug. If a glow plug is damaged, it should be promptly replaced at a repair shop. Causes of Glow Plug Damage: Excessive engine carbon buildup, leading to a large amount of carbon deposits covering the glow plug surface, causing localized high temperatures. Poor contact in the glow plug wiring harness. Low-quality fuel with excessively high combustion temperatures. The glow plug is an important component in the vehicle's ignition system. Commonly known as an electric heating plug, it is an auxiliary heater used as an aid during the starting process of diesel engines. Function of Glow Plugs: When starting a diesel engine, the low external temperature makes it difficult to initiate the cycle of intake, compression, explosion, and exhaust. At this point, auxiliary heating is required. This device is installed in the preheating chamber at the top of the engine cylinder, below the fuel injector. When diesel is sprayed and atomized, it passes over the glow plug and is heated. When the air-fuel mixture is compressed, it is more likely to explode, initiating the engine cycle and achieving normal engine operation.
A faulty glow plug can indeed make starting the engine extremely difficult, especially on cold mornings. I've experienced this several times myself while driving – the engine keeps coughing like it has a cold and refuses to start. During cold starts, there's noticeable shaking, and you can even smell a strong diesel odor. Over time, fuel consumption increases significantly, costing me dozens of extra dollars in gas money each month, which really hurts. This issue could also damage pistons or internal cylinder components. If the engine suddenly fails to start while on the road, it could be very dangerous. That's why I now regularly check my glow plugs and replace aging parts promptly. Remember, safety comes first – don't delay if you notice a problem.
