replacing glow plugs
 

I was wondering, when are you suppose to change the gow plug in an adverage glow powered engine. also if you dont, could it fail during flight?[X(] that wouldnt be good.....

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

Replace the glow plug when it burns out. There is no set schedule to replace them. Yes, they can burn out in flight. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. All that happens is a dead stick landing. No biggie. It's not something that I would spend too much time worrying about. I've had glow plugs last 2+ flying seasons.

Hope this helps.

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

wow!!! 2 seasons? thats awesome!!!....thanks for the help....this sight is so awesome, and everybody is so helpfull. thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

If you notice a dramatic drop in RPM / performance after you remove your glow driver, that is a good sign that your glow plug is getting weak...

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

ok cool!!! I'll make sure I pay attention to the idle speed and throttle response before every flight...cant be to carefull!!!!!!!!!
thanks again!!!!!

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

I have seen glow plugs develop a nasty haqbit of you not being able to get the high speed needle set after you take the heat off.

The engine is rough and seems rich but as you lean it out, it suddenly quits.

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

I have about 10 flyable planes. I have never had a deadstick due to a bad plug. I don't change them on a regular basis either. The first sign of a bad plug is usually that the engine won't idle properly. If that happens change your plug. A couple of times I have had a flight, landed and shutdown normally. Next time I go to fly the engine won't start, turns out the plug is dead. Don't get to worried about a plug causing a deadstick. It does not happen often and usually you will get some signs of a dying plug.
P.S. If a newish plug fails it is usually because it has been run lean.

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

Best way to make a plug last is to keep a couple of spares in your flight box. They only fail when you fly alone and without a spare with you. My luck anyway. [>:]

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

Hi!
We haven't change glowplugs in our clubs trainer airplanes (we have 3) for 4 years (MVVS .28 and Enya 3).
We run 15% all synthetic oil (Motul "Micro") and 5% nitro.
Regards!
Jan K
Sweden

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

I may be just unlucky with cheaper glow plugs, I have tried a few and
they just did not last like the better glow plugs. The only three that has
gone out in my year's worth of flying are the cheaper one's ... So IMO
Don't try to save the little bit on plugs!! Once you removed the thought
from your mind on Deadsticks they are pretty easy, well as long as you
are close or high enough to make it back, and or it doesn't happen just
after take-off with not enough speed to make it back:-) Enjoy....

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

I didn't mention in my post above, but Raideron is correct to use good plugs. I use OS A3 in most of my planes, and OS F-type plugs in my 4-strokes.

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

A bad plug can also make your engine stumble in throttle transitions -- it can look amazingly like a like a too-rich low speed mixture adjustment.

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

We might want to mention that some engines are very glow plug sensitive. That is, some of the more seasoned pilots at your site may be able to let you know what brand and type of plug works the most reliably for each brand of engine and it's particular installation. I now from experience That sometimes a really hot engine with high nitro may burn out good plugs like OS #8's or A3.s, where as other less hot heavy duty plugs tend to last longer. That's why we have clubs, and find good mentors to keep us from having too many problems. If you are not sure and can't get the information from your club or LHS, Thank God for RCU, you can always post a thread on the particular problem you are having. We have all benefitted from just reading threads that might apply to our particular problem, then find the solution to a question already asked.

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

I use a [link=http://sonictronics.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16152&cat=305&page=1]metered glo plug ignitor[/link] to check for bad plugs. the meter tells if the plug is bad or not but its hardly ever reliable...when ever the meter is in the red, it 98% of the time means the glo plug ignitor battery died.

just my $00.02 :D

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

ibrake,
yeah, same here. I have the dubro EZ Glo. I can't stand it. It had fallen through the prop and alot more yet it still works... I have it about taped up as much as possible.

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

Chad,

Thats why I like the Ni-Starter...its twist-locking so it doesn't pop off when you start the engine. I had something simlar to that but it kept popping off or comming loose so I got that one and so far I had no problems with it...

RE: replacing glow plugs
 

I got the new one from RCATS and love it. Only needs to be charged once or twice per year too. A little pricey but I always know what is going on. Seems to be the one everyone on the field comes and borrows when they have problems with theirs. :)