Changing Glow Plugs?

[03-blue-Powerstroke]

I was wondering how hard it is to change glow plugs on a 6.0? I just bought 8 new International ones and want to get them installed when I have the time. Anyone know? Thanks.

[KingDiesel]

Take off your Valve Covers, when you install get new valve gaskets as well.

[03-blue-Powerstroke]

I heard that you can do it by pulling off the rail thing that goes to each glow plug and fish them out with the magnet. Is it easier to just take off the valve cover?

[KingDiesel]

Originally Posted by 03-blue-Powerstroke

I heard that you can do it by pulling off the rail thing that goes to each glow plug and fish them out with the magnet. Is it easier to just take off the valve cover?

Yea, because you gotta replace the valve gaskets.

[thunderstroke]

No offense king diesel but 6.0 valve cover gaskets are reusable and you dont need to remove them on a 6.0. Just remove the glow plug harness (external below the valve covers) and use a socket and magnet to get the plugs out. Its really quite easy but alot of the time you wreck the glow plug harness as it has become brittle from age and heat.
Might no be a bad idea to have new ones on hand if you can return them incase you wreck them.

[KingDiesel]

Originally Posted by thunderstroke

No offense king diesel but 6.0 valve cover gaskets are reusable and you dont need to remove them on a 6.0. Just remove the glow plug harness (external below the valve covers) and use a socket and magnet to get the plugs out. Its really quite easy but alot of the time you wreck the glow plug harness as it has become brittle from age and heat.
Might no be a bad idea to have new ones on hand if you can return them incase you wreck them.

thanks man, I learn something everyday. I gotta remember that next time, I guess I am use to the 7.3L etc

[big_stroker]

Originally Posted by KingDiesel

thanks man, I learn something everyday. I gotta remember that next time, I guess I am use to the 7.3L etc

.

Ummm you also reuse the ones on a 7.3 also

[thallanor]

A little late to the game here, but wanting some more information, if someone would be so kind?

I own a 2005 Ford Excursion with the 6.0L Powerstroke and I'm reading conflicting things when searching both here and on the internet. Am I correct in understanding that very early 6.0L Powerstrokes used a bussbar that needed to be removed, but at the end of 2003, they started using a new harness?

I am rather new to performing this sort of work, but I am patient and it is not my daily driver, so I can take my time. Does anyone know where I could find a photograph of either side of the engine and indicate what I am looking for? I've found photographs of the bussbar, but again suspect that was on the very first 6.0L Powerstrokes. (I could very easily be mistaken!) Also, the photographs were of a yanked engine with almost no accessories installed, so it did not give me a good idea of what and where I should be looking for.

Any advice, I'd appreciate it! I'm needing to plug it in at anything colder than 10C (50F) otherwise it starts so rough it feels like the entire vehicle will rattle itself apart. Plugging it in, it's starting smooth as glass down to -5C (23F) so far. But I dread it when the weather gets colder...

[gone6.0]

Diesel Technician Society

Try this it has all the model years, It does look like the first 6.0s have a bus bar.

[thallanor]

Originally Posted by gone6.0

Diesel Technician Society

Try this it has all the model years, It does look like the first 6.0s have a bus bar.

Thank you! I'm still searching, but this looks to be a great resource! Now to see if I can figure out how to get the new wiring harness off of each plug, and to do it without tearing my hands and arms apart in the process. :)

[bismic1]

Tips:

In 2004, the combustion chamber on the piston has been modified (updated bowl design). Due to the design change of the piston, the glow plug has been made shorter by 1.2 mm. If the longer glow plugs are installed into an engine with updated pistons, glow plug to piston contact will result, ending in potential catostrophic engine failure.

Glow Plug Removal Tool - from Ford
glow plug removal - TheDieselGarage.com

If you want to change the glow plugs- there is a small trick to removing the glow plug harness. The harness is located right at the bottom of the aluminum portion of the cylinder head- use a peice of 16 gauge wire to pull out the connector. There is a ring at the bottom of each connector, wrap the wire around it then yank the wire with a pair of pliers. The glow plug is 10mm, just remove and reinstall.

Video w/ a short excerpt on glow plugs at apprx. 6:00 minutes:

Install an inductive amp meter on one of the main glow plug harnesses. You can get up to 200 A at first, but then should stabilize around 35-45 A. Check the other side. Both sides should read the same. If not, check the amps to each individual glow plug to determine which one (or ones) is bad. Each glow plug should draw 10-12 Amps.

mms://multimedia.ford.com/seopts/Tech25_250k.wmv

[thallanor]

Originally Posted by bismic1

Tips:

In 2004, the combustion chamber on the piston has been modified (updated bowl design). Due to the design change of the piston, the glow plug has been made shorter by 1.2 mm. If the longer glow plugs are installed into an engine with updated pistons, glow plug to piston contact will result, ending in potential catostrophic engine failure.

Glow Plug Removal Tool - from Ford
glow plug removal - TheDieselGarage.com

If you want to change the glow plugs- there is a small trick to removing the glow plug harness. The harness is located right at the bottom of the aluminum portion of the cylinder head- use a peice of 16 gauge wire to pull out the connector. There is a ring at the bottom of each connector, wrap the wire around it then yank the wire with a pair of pliers. The glow plug is 10mm, just remove and reinstall.

Video w/ a short excerpt on glow plugs at apprx. 6:00 minutes:

Install an inductive amp meter on one of the main glow plug harnesses. You can get up to 200 A at first, but then should stabilize around 35-45 A. Check the other side. Both sides should read the same. If not, check the amps to each individual glow plug to determine which one (or ones) is bad. Each glow plug should draw 10-12 Amps.

mms://multimedia.ford.com/seopts/Tech25_250k.wmv

This is more great information. It snowed here last night, but I have been speaking with one of our heavy duty mechanics and hope to get the vehicle into the shop alongside our fire trucks and start working on it the weekend after next. The trick of using the wire loop to pull the harness is going to be a godsend, because I had read about the Ford special tool in the past and was not even sure where to purchase it, apart from the local dealership part counter, where I can imagine the markup that would be charged.

I do plan on going to them for the glow plugs though, as the changes in the different model years make me nervous about accidentally purchasing the wrong ones. I get my parts there at cost due to a deal with the last truck I purchased there, so it works out to be about $15 CAD per glow plug. Not a stellar deal, but better than the $25 they normally charge.

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions. :)

[gone6.0]

Try the International Dealer if You have one near.
They are usally close to half the price of Ford.

[thallanor]

Originally Posted by gone6.0

Try the International Dealer if You have one near.
They are usally close to half the price of Ford.

I ended up purchasing my Motorcraft glow plugs through the local Ford dealership because they gave me a good price, about $14 CAD, or $10 USD. I bought an "as-is" Ford F-350 King Ranch there with the knowledge that there were some things in need of repair, so they gave me a good deal on parts.

I replaced the spark plugs about one month ago and have a quick question: are they supposed to be covered in oil?

Also, that wasn't the source of my no-cold-start. D'oh! I'm suspecting the FICM now and am going to be checking for 48V off of it this weekend. I'm actually hoping it is the FICM because it could get a lot more expensive if it is not.

[Tammac]

Originally Posted by thallanor

I replaced the spark plugs about one month ago and have a quick question: are they supposed to be covered in oil?

DUDE, IT IS A DIESEL NO SPARK PLUGS!!! Or IF it does have spark plugs it doesn't have glow plugs!!

[thallanor]

Originally Posted by Tammac

DUDE, IT IS A DIESEL NO SPARK PLUGS!!! Or IF it does have spark plugs it doesn't have glow plugs!!

Sorry, I meant glow plugs. I was writing quickly and was tired. I wanted to post while I remembered.

So the question still stands: are the glow plugs supposed to be covered in oil when removed from the vehicle?

[bismic1]

Originally Posted by thallanor

So the question still stands: are the glow plugs supposed to be covered in oil when removed from the vehicle?

yes

[arriero4x4]

Hi guys,
Is there any trick to remove the passenger side glow plug buss bar on a 2003 6.0 f350? I´m having some trouble right now.
here i leave you a picture. I already removed the right inner fender.

thanks

[Dieseldweller]

Originally Posted by bismic1

yes

I'm curious where this oil comes from on the glow plugs? This is normal?

[maxeyac]

Originally Posted by KingDiesel

thanks man, I learn something everyday. I gotta remember that next time, I guess I am use to the 7.3L etc

You really should keep your suggestion to yourself if you dont know what your talking about.
Telling someone they need to remove valve covers and replace gaskets when neither have a dang thing to do with replacing glow plugs on a 6.0 is assinying.
You could cost him lots of money and time.

YOUR COMMENT REALLY SUCKED!!!

[Wheelhop]

Do you realize your commenting on a 3 year old post????????

[maxeyac]

Originally Posted by bismic1

Tips:

In 2004, the combustion chamber on the piston has been modified (updated bowl design). Due to the design change of the piston, the glow plug has been made shorter by 1.2 mm. If the longer glow plugs are installed into an engine with updated pistons, glow plug to piston contact will result, ending in potential catostrophic engine failure.

Glow Plug Removal Tool - from Ford
glow plug removal - TheDieselGarage.com

If you want to change the glow plugs- there is a small trick to removing the glow plug harness. The harness is located right at the bottom of the aluminum portion of the cylinder head- use a peice of 16 gauge wire to pull out the connector. There is a ring at the bottom of each connector, wrap the wire around it then yank the wire with a pair of pliers. The glow plug is 10mm, just remove and reinstall.

Video w/ a short excerpt on glow plugs at apprx. 6:00 minutes:

Install an inductive amp meter on one of the main glow plug harnesses. You can get up to 200 A at first, but then should stabilize around 35-45 A. Check the other side. Both sides should read the same. If not, check the amps to each individual glow plug to determine which one (or ones) is bad. Each glow plug should draw 10-12 Amps.

mms://multimedia.ford.com/seopts/Tech25_250k.wmv

Is it hard to replace just the harness's?

[maxeyac]

I had a mechanic butcher my wiring harness while replacing glow plugs. The ####### reinstalled the jacked up harness with wires exposed and Im concerned. Should I be worried about them coming loose or shorting out if the boots are not attached around the wires going to the glow plugs?
Thanks for any help...

[bismic1]

It isn't too bad. I wouldn't want exposed wires. Can you not just tape the bad areas?

[maxeyac]

Originally Posted by Wheelhop

Do you realize your commenting on a 3 year old post????????

No, Im new to this and have no idea what Im doing at this time. Thanks for the info...

[maxeyac]

Originally Posted by bismic1

It isn't too bad. I wouldn't want exposed wires. Can you not just tape the bad areas?

I dont think tape would hold long term and it would look like crap. Im the type that keeps the engine clean and undercarriage. I want everything to look professional. I also dont feel the connection is as stable if the boots are not snug in the plug cavity.

[bismic1]

I hear ya!!

[maxeyac]

I picked harness for each side from Ford today. Felt like they gave me a fair price. 83.75 for the pair.
If you are self employed just add and deisel repair to to your company name and you are buying wholesale. That was easy.
I dont think it will be that difficult once I remove the tires and possibly fender wells.
What do you guys think???

[bismic1]

Removing the fender wells helps. Some people put the wires on them ahead of time so that they are easier to remove if you ever have to.

[maxeyac]

what do you mean "put the wires on them ahead of time" ?
I appreciate your responses....
I think I know what your referring too. The 16 gauge wire to remove the plug harness?

[bismic1]

Here is some advice on removing glow plug connectors:

There is a ring at the bottom of each connector. Wrap a piece of 16 gauge wire around the ring and then yank the wire with a pair of pliers.

If you attach the 16 gauge wire ahead of time, it makes removal of the individual plugs easier next time - just a thought.