The devil I know or the one I don't..(glow plugs)

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:29 am

It seems like as of late, there's been about an equal number of folks with sheared off ceramic glow plugs and problems with etecno replacements. I have had no issues with my original plugs and am also in possession of a set of 4 etecno 7v replacements. My question is this: Do you all believe there's a greater risk from the time-bomb or the ceramic plugs or the likely potential failures of the replacements? I've yet to see anything firm from etecno on a specific lot of plugs that exhibit issues, etc.

I'm torn and curious to hear other opinions.

Dan

mark2m · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2014 1:25 am

The potential damage done by a failing ceramic plug vs the crappy cold start performance of the newer plugs. I went with the 5v plugs and yes they suck in the extreme cold but I found pumping the pedal helps tremendously. Not worth the risk if that tip breaks off.

flman · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:46 am

Has any one had engine damage from a ceramic glow plug breaking off?

ChesterCRD · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:54 am

flman wrote:

Has any one had engine damage from a ceramic glow plug breaking off?

A friend with a 2005 had to have the sleeve, piston, valves, and rockers replaced after attempting to blow a broken tip through the engine. Apparently it broke up but the fragments remained in the cylinder and scored it up bad. I'm not sure what did the rest of the damage, but it all happened within 1000 miles of that tip breaking.

When he turned it over with the starter it had a wierd cadence that seemed to indicate no compression on one cylinder. The repair bill was around $3500.

thermorex · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:29 am

The question I would ask is if the damage caused by the ceramic glow plugs occurred after the cel/lightning bolt for exports occurred. Based on what gde stated, the ceramics are risky after they throw a cel. I wonder if anybody would have had issues if the ceramics would have been replaced promptly after a cel.

I one have replaced the ceramics with the etechno metallic and don't have start issues, but I haven't tried to start the car below 10 degrees. I can say though that it started easier with the ceramics. For me, the peace of mind of not risking damage or having to replace a glow plug in the middle of nowhere is more important than the risk of the jeep not starting.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:28 pm

back when I was under extended warranty -I had a number of glow plug replaced as soon as the CEL came on

they all had a small section of the tip blown out - which by itself wasn't an issue.

however as part of the troubleshooting - Star told the dealer the change all 4 plugs - they broke one in the head

ended up pulling the head.

so just changing glow plugs itself - is not always minor.

I still have ceramic - I'm planning on waiting until the next timing belt change - and swapping then

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:34 am

I changed to the Etechno 7v when I did the head studs/tb. That was about 10k miles ago, and it runs fine and starts well in sub zero cold, (-3) with multiple on off cycles. If I had to depend on this ride in colder weather, I probably would carry a small gasoline generator or a stove to heat the block first.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:55 pm

flman wrote:

Has any one had engine damage from a ceramic glow plug breaking off?

i had minor damage in 2 cylinders.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:06 am

Didn't Darbywalters get a whole new motor under warranty when a glow plug broke off in his motor?

minisub · **Posted:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 9:01 pm

I did this very calculus in the Fall and went with the Etecno. After spending 4-5 hours to get #4 out and worrying the whole time I wouldn't get it out in 1 piece I was glad I did.

This has been a generational winter for temps here in Ohio and it starts much harder with the steelies. That said, it starts, and frankly starts about like the 6.5 did in similar temps. I am happy with my choice.

And, if I lived in Georgia, I might consider putting blank slugs in the GP holes and having a can of ether around for those "oh so cold" days... :mrgreen:

dirtmover · **Posted:** Fri Feb 28, 2014 9:39 am

ChooChooman74 wrote:

flman wrote:

Has any one had engine damage from a ceramic glow plug breaking off?

i had minor damage in 2 cylinders.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

2 Cylinders? Wow that's unlucky to have multiple plugs break.

The three of mine that failed all split up the length of the ceramic but none broke away.

Seeing how mine split I can understand how they may get suck in the hole but I understand that metal plugs are prone to swelling and getting stuck also.

pwrwagn · **Joined:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 2:40 am **Posts:** 192

dirtmover wrote:

ChooChooman74 wrote:

flman wrote:

Has any one had engine damage from a ceramic glow plug breaking off?

i had minor damage in 2 cylinders.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

2 Cylinders? Wow that's unlucky to have multiple plugs break.

The three of mine that failed all split up the length of the ceramic but none broke away.

Seeing how mine split I can understand how they may get suck in the hole but I understand that metal plugs are prone to swelling and getting stuck also.

The tips on the metal plugs I got (7 volt) were much smaller diameter than the shaft of the plug. Even if it swelled a little (as some will do), it won't get stuck.

The devil I know or the one I don't..(glow plugs)

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