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Question about burning up glow plugs

Old 01-31-2003, 05:31 AM
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forcelite
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Today was a great day in Texas. It was 56 degrees and is suposed to get hotter over the weekend. So I took out the maxx for a drive. I got it started just fine but afrter running it for about 6 min I noticed that there was smoke coming from the engine. It was some electrical tape burning . So I shut it down and pulled the glow plug wire that I had previously wraped with electircal tape. It seems that the engine wsa getting to hot and melting it which in turn killed the glow plug. Before I relized that it was the rubber that was burning I though it might just be a bad plug so I threw another in and it fired up fine for another 5 min. So I went home and took the tape off and threw in another plug and tommaorw will test the theory that the tape was killing the plugs. I have ran it a few time with the tape on without problems, maybe I am running it too lean?

Question
1)Should the engine get hot enough to melt electrical tape?
2)Could it be the tape melting on the plug thats killing it?
3)can just excessive engine heat kill the plug?

This is my last plug so I dont want to kill it until my order comes in next week. I have the worst luck with plugs, I have only tried traxxis brand and have now ordered OS 8 like so many have said to. I love these forums

Thanks
Force

Anything unclear just ask
Old 01-31-2003, 06:21 AM
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LandShark
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

i have a gallon fuel in my savage without frying any plug.

i think your engine is too hot. the temp of engine should be

around 245 F .

212 f is the water boiling point. so normally, i dont think the

engine should burn the electrical tape
Old 01-31-2003, 03:25 PM
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crash_me_over
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

I think I would "AVOID" using the electrical tape. If you have a bad wire...just replace it.

If you put in another plug...and ran the rig for another 5 minutes and it ran fine...then that plug should be OK to use. I wouldn't keep tossing good glow plugs....that could get expensive!

When you go out next time...try firing up the engine with the last good plug you put in....if it fires and runs well...keep driving...and have some fun!

Good Luck!
Old 01-31-2003, 06:42 PM
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LandShark
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

CRASH, i know that frying plug is normal, but i have done a gallon

with no plug fried.

why? am i still running too rich?
Old 01-31-2003, 08:51 PM
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crash_me_over
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Originally posted by LandShark
CRASH, i know that frying plug is normal, but i have done a gallon

with no plug fried.

why? am i still running too rich?

LandShark....Not all glow plugs are created equal. Some last longer than others depending on their construction/element and will outlast others with weaker construction/element.

Also....some engines when new....even though they are all made at the factory....using CNC equipment and tolerances that are close....some will come out with higher compression than others....and can cause more internal heat than others due to tighter tolerances. Glow plugs are exposed to that heat and compression and can last awhile or die quickly depending on their construction.

As glow plugs go.....you may have 1000 that are manufactured without deficiencies....and then there might be some that are defective within another batch and just not last at all.

There are several things that determine the end result of all products and their quality....and at times....quality control can be less than normal standards....so we...the consumer can buy a glow plug...or glow plugs that were made with deficiencies and just don't last when we use them in our new engines. At times...this will hold true of engines. Once in awhile we hear of a person who got "a lemon"....and has to have it replaced.

As for which brand to buy? Many people have their own preference....so this question will vary widely. I myself have always had good luck with the OS brand glow plugs. I've tried others but I always seem to go back to the OS brand. Others will choose differently for their own reasons.

Good Luck!
Old 01-31-2003, 09:52 PM
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creeping death
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

I also use OS plugs, for 10 yrs now, and I highly recommend them!
Old 01-31-2003, 10:30 PM
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LandShark
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

thanks "crash".

i use Mc Coy mc-8 plug, O'donnel 20% car fuel with my savage

after the first five tanks, i changed the stock plug(it's fine).

now i have finished the first gallon. still using the second

plug.
Old 02-01-2003, 05:47 PM
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old skool
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Sounds like you still have some tuning to do...
Old 02-01-2003, 06:06 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Well heres a little something I've read:

IF your glow plugs die easily:
Your running rich if the coil is dark black (residue)
Your running too lean if its sort of whitish (it gets burnt)

I think one gallon a plug isnt bad at all! I'm willing to toss a plug every gallon even though it means your running a little rich!
5 bucks here n there to save a $250+ engine
-ram
Old 02-02-2003, 02:08 AM
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Pyroman2000
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

where is this "wire" that you wrapped with electircal tape? is it the actual coil wire inside the plug or did you have a wire connected to a battery going to the plug?
Old 02-03-2003, 01:09 AM
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forcelite
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

I taped the coil that goes to plug. I took it to the shop and they said I was running it WAY rich so that could be it

The maxx runs great except for I burned up the ez start motor so I now just want a simple pull start, will also make it lighter

Forcelite
Old 02-03-2003, 03:17 AM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

i have this problem too. My glow plugs only last a few tanks and the truck wont restart. My uncle whose been into nitro for like 13 years said its running rich, and i think it is because it smokes alot, But the plugs are all burnt looking and like a tan color. Maybe the plugs are too hot or cold. Does the plug hot and cold mean it makes the engine hot or cold, or there for a hot or cold engine? I think i have a cold plug from lhs. The guy that works there is pretty stupid though so i dont ussually listen to him.
Old 02-03-2003, 03:26 AM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Ok heres the deal

IF your running THAT rich.. LEAN IT OUT !!
As long as your not running over 25 (during break in) Your ok!

Info on what to use:

Small engine : Cold Plug
High Nitro%: Cold Plug

Big Engine: Hot Plug
Low % Nitro: Hot Plug
Cold Environment: Hot Plug

-ram
Old 02-04-2003, 01:27 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Thanks for the help. i run 25% nitro and a .21, so do i use hot or cold, or should i just get 15% nitro and a hot plug. I have a cold one now so i guess it should be right. I did lean it out very little and ran it yeterday/last night and what a difference. The truck went like 15 mph faster. Its a prety new engine with about 8 tanks of fuel.
Old 02-04-2003, 03:07 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Originally posted by BUGGIES_R_US
Small engine : Cold Plug
Small engines (.12~.15's) work best w/hot plugs (ie, MC-59, RB #4).
Old 02-04-2003, 03:31 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

try OS A3s they are made to last a long time. I have an A3 in my plane that I havent needed to change for 6 months.. and it was in there a few months before from the previous owner.
Old 02-04-2003, 05:43 PM
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Bluehydro8
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

I need a little advise guys, I am running a 25% Monster fuel and was wondering what plug i should use in it. I have a medium plug right now. Please advise, should I use hot, cold, or Medium. I live in colorado so it is kind of cold up here.
Old 02-04-2003, 05:48 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Originally posted by Bluehydro8
I need a little advise guys, I am running a 25% Monster fuel and was wondering what plug i should use in it. I have a medium plug right now. Please advise, should I use hot, cold, or Medium. I live in colorado so it is kind of cold up here.
The OS #3 & #8 plugs have always worked fine for me. Also...OS makes an A5 plug which I think is recommended more for the "Big Block 21" engines.
Old 02-04-2003, 05:53 PM
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forcelite
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

I just bought some os8 plugs from tower
They were recomended by crash and others

I still cant find a starter for the 2.5 besides the hated ez start, sorry guys it might be a tad esier but my brother runs a pulg ignitor and a pull start which has worked FLAWLESSLY.
I am talking to a firm that sells a drill driven starter. They are seeing if it works for the 2.5 as we speak. Ill get back on that. Plus I have a new drill that is dieing to get some use
Old 02-04-2003, 05:54 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Thank you crash, I will give them a try
Old 02-04-2003, 05:57 PM
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Default Question about burning up glow plugs

Bluehydro8....Which RC rig are you driving?

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