zr1s10

My Feedback: (2)

How long do your glow plugs last? I've been having some problems with my Picco 27 but its on the original plug since break in. Ran about 3quarts thru now. I put a new plug in but it rained today so we'll see if its the plug.

How long do plugs last for you guys?

jkulhanek

Hmmm

On 35% nitro my plugs last around 2-3 quarts.

SOOJIAN

It all depends. Mine variey in time but when my engines seems hard to start, or its starts to run a little funny, or wont start i will just replace it. Even if it still glows i will just throw it out. I like to replace them often, it helps keep the car running good.

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

anywhere from 1.5-3 gallons.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

At least 1 to 2 gallons. My OS .15 CV-RX is still rung the original plug with over 2 gallons throw it. [8D]

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

lol when I sold my GT, it had the same plug as it did during breakin, and the engine had over 2 gallons through it on the new piston/sleeve[8D]

gubbs3

My Feedback: (1)

Small block engines go through plugs in a completely different fashion than big blocks. My .12's go about two gallons on each plug but many big blocks can go through them as quick as every half gallon. If you can't get any more than that though you may be running too much nitro or running too lean.

fshin.drt

my o.s.18 cvx went 3 full gallons with a o.s. plug

smokingcrater

what do you mean by big block? I've got a .72, 1.20, and a .90 that are going on a couple years, at least a couple gallons each... my little .15 and .18 eat plugs compared to that.

as you mentioned tuning makes a HUGE difference! too much compression or too high of nitro (essentially the same effect) will destroy plugs, if you are really unlucky it will pull the element right out of the plug, into your cylinder...

jkulhanek

I presume those are aircraft engines, which typically run around 0-5% nitro, lower compression, do not rev very high and run rich and cool, of course they are going to last longer than in a little car engine.

lirevo

i was wondering what the difference between a medium glow plug and a long one.

ThunderbirdJunkie

My Feedback: (3)

Medium is a heat range. Cold and Hot are the other two choices, generally.

Long (standard) and short (OS-only, basically) are lengths of glow plugs.

downunder

Hot, warm, cold (and anything in between) is the heat range of the plug regardless of length. Most plugs are long, OS and Enya plugs are a medium length and then there are the short length plugs which I doubt would be used in any car engine.

Plug life is mainly dependant on how well the engine is tuned, too lean will kill them while too rich has no affect but overstressing the engine with too much nitro for its compression will also kill them. My son's .28 ran for 40 hours (around 12 gallons) with only one plug change and that was only because he wanted to try a new plug.

Colt4g63

Plug life has way to many variables. There honestly is no solid answer to this question unfortunately.

rockNrollRC

I have had engines go for a gallon or more on the same plug. Personally, I think the most important factor in prolonging the plug life is maintaining a good tune on your engine. I say that because the majority of the ones I've had go out did so because the engine was tuned too lean, at least I'm pretty darn sure that's why they did, it's hard to be 100% sure,  

Bluethunder3320

ive went through about 6 gallons with my associated .18... my ofna force .28 did 3 with the same plug in it from break in to the time i killed the con rod