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August, 2019
How Often Should I Replace My Glow Plugs?
If you have a four-cylinder engine, one damaged glow plug will make it difficult to start your car. Two damaged glow plugs will make starting the engine more of a struggle. Three and it will almost be impossible.
It’s important to replace damaged glow plugs, but how often do you need to make this investment? And how much will it cost?
Glow Plug Lifetime
Glow plugs should last for as long as 100,000 miles; they will gradually deteriorate due to wear and tear over this period.
The good news is that not only are glow plugs incredibly long-lasting, they’re also amongst the most cost-effective car parts to replace. DIY Car Service Parts stocks high-quality glow plugs from top manufacturers at prices as low as £3.19.
Why Do Glow Plugs Fail?
Though most glow plugs have long lifetimes, some do fail before the 100,000-mile point. Here are some of the main reasons that glow plugs fail early:
- You have the wrong glow plugs for your engine
- Your engine excessively overheats
- Your engine operates at voltages that are too high
- Your power supply is too long (often due to a stuck relay)
- Your pistons are damaged
- Your valves are broken
- You have a seized piston ring
- The injectors have dripped onto the glow plugs and eroded them.
Another common cause of damaged glow plugs is high-amperage battery chargers, which are used to improve engine starting. These chargers can provide a voltage high enough to explode the glow plug tips.
If you invest in a battery charger, choose an intelligent one to avoid this problem. DIY Car Service Parts stocks a comprehensive range of batteries and chargers for all makes and models.
Tip: if your glow plugs failed at the same time, they didn’t fail naturally because of wear and tear. They were damaged by something specific.
Signs Your Glow Plugs Need to be Replaced
If your glow plugs are faulty or damaged, you’ll likely notice a few engine difficulties. Your engine light may also illuminate on the dashboard. When these symptoms occur, it’s important to take your car to the garage or self-service your glow plugs as soon as possible. Look out for:
- Slow engine starting
- Engine misfiring
- Complete failure to start the engine
- Rough idling
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- An excess of white smoke
How to Replace Your Glow Plugs
Ideally, you should have a spare set of glow plugs in preparation for the worst. This way, you’ll be able to get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible, whether you self-service your glow plugs or take them to the garage.
If you’ll be replacing your own plugs, you can find our instructions on how to change your glow plugs here.
To find the best glow plugs at the best prices for your vehicle, search your number plate in our car lookup tool.
All DIY car service parts are manufactured by trusted, high-quality brands. Here are just a few of the brands that we stock.
About DIY Car Service Parts
Whether you’re changing your own car parts or saving costs by providing them to your local garage, DIY Car Service Parts is the ultimate site for easily identifying the vehicle parts that you need.
DIY Car Service Parts isn’t just about accessing car parts from the best brands at the lowest prices. With over 35 years’ experience in the automotive industry, we are experts in the car parts field. Our specialist team is on hand to answer any of your queries and offer valuable advice so that you can understand more about the ways that your car works and get savvy under the bonnet.
