Glow Plugs

John Athey · Dec 15, 2008

Quick question on glow plugs.......they are either good or bad right? Do new ones heat up faster than older ones? I have to grind and grind on the IH460 diesel engine to get it to start. I have checked the glow plugs and I think they are good. Any thoughts or ideas?

After it starts and gets warm, she runs well.

Bob M · Dec 15, 2008

Glow plugs are pretty much like an incandescent light bulb. Either they work or they don't - there's usually not much in between.

Modern design GP's (like in diesel pickups) indeed heat up in a matter of 10 seconds or so. However I doubt new replacement GP's for your 460 will heat substantially quicker than the ones originally installed in the engine.

Presuming your GP's are all working you might try letting 'em heat a half minute or more longer than usual before cranking. Also anything that helps will increase cranking speed (fresh batteries and cables, a starter rebuild, lighter oil in the crankcase, block heater, etc.) will aid quicker starting.

Rich Griffin · Dec 15, 2008

I would think that a 2500w tank type engine heater will do more good than the glow plugs and will warm up faster. Just my thinking.

DDG · Dec 15, 2008

I had a VW rabbit diesel once, and it needed at least one plug replaced every fall. don't use Champions, get Bosch if you have a choice. I had the entire tips break or burn off on the highway with the Champions. I would take off the hot wire, and check them with a continuity tester. Once, I had continunity on a bad plug, never could figure how that happened. After that, I would take them all out, put a smear of grease on the tip, touch the hotwire on a grounded plug for a second or two and see if it smoked the grease.....or not.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 15, 2008

A good block heater will definetly help, but a 60 series tractor will not start without the glowplugs.

Hugh MacKay · Dec 15, 2008

John: First off, how long are you using the glow plugs? How cold is it?

To start with, these glow plugs are not the same type as in modern day cars and trucks. Modern day car and truck glow plugs are 15 second wonders.

These glow plugs in 460-560 have to be used 40-60 seconds in summer. I owned a 560, and if the block heater was not plugged in, from 32 down to zero F it would start, however it was quite common to use those glow plugs 3-4 minutes. That takes one H@!! of a good set of batteries, and lot heavier than factory issue. The block heater will make all starts, like summer time starts.

Personally, I wouldn't be without the block heater, it will add years to the life of your engine. Use it anytime below 40F, but you still need good working glow plugs.

Jimmy King · Dec 16, 2008

John I would start by having the starter rebuilt, I have had my 460 since the middle 1970"s we had trouble starting it for years then the starter quit after it was rebuilt the tractor started much eaiser and quicker. The engine should turn over almost like it has bad compression.

spiffy1 · Dec 16, 2008

The 460D sure is cold blooded; like others have mentioned:

Make sure all the glowplugs are good and hold them about a minute.

Under 40F, plug in a tank heater until the manifold feels warm (IIRC, I get by with 1500W in any weather but it is in the shed out of the wind and cold days do take several hours).

Good batterties [assuming to the starter is good] are a must; you can go with 2) 12Vs in parallel instead of the 2) 6Vs in series as well; regardless make sure you have some serious cranking power not just the cheapest battery of the right dimensions.

Don't leave a charger on the batteries while holding the glowplugs: that can cause them to burn out.

Glow Plugs

John Athey

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Bob M

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Rich Griffin

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DDG

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Anonymous-0

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Hugh MacKay

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Jimmy King

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spiffy1

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