How long should a glow plug last?
 

Hi. I have an OS LA .65 engine. It came with a #A3 Glow Plug. I flew it less than 20 times ( under 10 minutes per flight ) and the plug stopped glowing. How long should a glow plug last?

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

In a 2 stroke, mine have lasted for about 8 gallons. In a 4-stroke, I have never replaced one (so far, 12 gallons is my max on a 4-stroke engine).

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

I had .45 Evolution engine, I think I had to change the glow plug of it after 8 to 10 months. I also had .46 ASP, never need to change the plug though it was used, and also I have HB's .61 used got it from a friend, didnt feel to change the glow plug. Well, I think a good glow plug should last 6 to 10 months. Rest I think other expert senior flyers would give their opinion. I have a question as well that, glow plugs should be used recommended ones or can be used of any manufacturer into any engine?


Mody

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Running an engine too lean is probably the most common cause of early plug failure. Another cause could be having bits of metal in the engine. And yet another is turning the power panel glow driver knob too high. Follow these instructions to ensure you don't have your engine too lean:

Tuning – High speed needle
The following method is designed for sport flying where one wants reliable engine performance (minimum deadsticks) and long engine life (part of which comes from avoiding lean runs).

I’ll start off with a reminder that all needle adjustments should be done from behind the engine and that the plane should be firmly anchored or held. Never attempt to adjust the needle while holding the plane in the air. A small engine blip or wind gust could result in fingers in the prop.

Begin by gradually leaning the engine until you find the peak RPM. Once you find this, turn it several clicks rich. Once you’ve found this slightly rich setting, with a firm two handed grip on the plane, point the nose straight up. While you are doing this, remember to keep the propeller arc out of anyone’s face. When you raise the plane’s nose, one of three things will happen to the engine RPMs.

If the engine speeds up slightly and holds that speed for 10 to 15 seconds, pat yourself on the back (after you put the plane down), you’ve got the needle set pretty well.

If the engine slows down, or does not speed up a bit, it’s too lean. Lower it immediately, turn it a few clicks richer and try again.

If the engine speeds up significantly, it could probably be a bit leaner. Put it back down, set it a bit richer and try again.

That’s it, no magic…

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

How long should a plug last?
It is completely unpredictable. That is why it is good practice to carry a couple of spares in your flight box.
Most will last a good long time but I have had a few that only lasted a couple of flights.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

PiperChuck and other senior flyers

I also have a question please clarify me, there is one method as well which is called Pinch Method, this method is also used to find out whether fuel is too rich or too lean right? is this necessary to do the pinch test? second question 2C engines should be run rich or lean? and does it go same with 4C engines? rich or lean? final question why nose up method is necessary, should it always be done every time we fly? or it should be done once? and what does this nose up method do exactly?

Thanks in advance

Mody

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

G'day Mate,
Follow everything that Piper_Chuck wrote, & then be aware, that OS A3 plugs are cheap, because they are plated element plugs, not all platinum elements, & when the plating comes off, they don't work anymore.
So buy yourself some OS #8 plugs & they will last a lot longer.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

To be technical, we are determining if the MIXTURE is too lean/rich or just right. Necessary? No, but fairly reliable way to do it. Run 2C and 4C engines slightly rich of peak to avoid damage. Nose up simulates a "worse case scenario" where the engine may lean out on you in a climb because the tank is so much lower than the carb spray bar. How often? Debatable. Once you know your engine/installation it becomes a little less important IMO.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Missleman is absolutely correct. But if you take care of your engines properly glow plugs can last quite awhile. I've got several plugs that have been in use for a couple of years now. My OS 52 in my Slow Poke still has the original plug in it, and it has over 400 flights on it, close to 27 hours of flying time. With that being said, there are a couple of things that will kill glow plugs. One is what was said above, running the engine too lean. The engine will run hotter when it's lean and this can burn up the coil in the plug. The other is metal particles in the fuel. This is probably what happened to you. It's not uncommon to have metal particles inside of the engine during the break-in process of an engine (break-in isn't just a couple of tanks of fuel, but can actually be up to 15-20 tanks of fuel through the engine before it's properly broken in). Since this is a pretty new engine you have this is more than likely what has happened to it.

There is one other thing, they just simply die. Like everything else mechanical in the world, sometimes they just break for no reason at all. :eek:

Ken

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Seconds to years. I've gone through three plugs within minutes. First failed after much use, next failed immediatly and the the third lasted years. The shortlived one likely had a factory defect. Mostly I have had good luck and think about how long a glow plug will last, never.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

While some do feel the pinch test is adequate, I don't like it. How long a pinch is appropriate? How do you pinch a line when the engine is burried in a cowl? I've seen people use the pinch test only to have the engine lean out on takeoff.
Should be flown a little rich. Running a bit rich is even more important on 4C engines because a lean one can backfire and throw the prop. The question is how rich is enough to be sure the engine won't lean out in a significant climb? The nose up test answers this question for me. Is the nose up method necessary? No, but it works well for me. I use it at the start of the day or after I've made needle adjustments. I rarely have unexpected dead sticks and my engines seem to last a real long time.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

If you do that pinch/release thing on the fuel line trying to squeeze every last rpm out of it, the plug may last long enough to the takeoff point.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

That is NOT the purpose of the pinch test and IF it is done properly the engine will run fine. I use it routinely and have not had a flameout in over five years. The purpose is not to get the last RPM, it is to fine the correct tune for reliable running.
You REALLY need to understand a proceedure before condeming it.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

a note to consumer the OS#3 plug is a hot plug great for break in but as stated you will have created metal flakes in the engine durring that time that can/will foul the plug rather fast after the break in and after at least 3-5 tanks mabee, poss. more if you are lucky, I switched to the #8 plug a little higher Quality, and lets the motor run a bit cooler" not much"but a bit.
check the price diff, my #8's last quite a long time, as a matter of fact the #8 I have in my OS 46AX is the one I replaced the #3,(the one it came with) over a year ago and still glowing strong.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

I understand it completely and agree with you but also stand by my statement. It is a simple backup check that is routinely abused. As you know if the pinch is done when the Hi speed needle is set too lean or rich, then engine will quit as soon as you pinch it.

I don't use this method much but if i do, I go for no change to a slight increase in rpms. I routinely see guys pinching and getting that increase to the very last rpm before it quits, therefore running it as lean as possible and blowing plugs

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Close, but no cigar. Never fly a plane where pinching the line causes NO increase in RPM. That means it's too lean, period.
Did you also know the test can be used to set the idle mixture? You didn't mention it.
And people using it to set for max RPM just proves they are nuts.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Is there any room left for more quotes?:D

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Let's push the limit.......

Yes it's childish and immature, but let's face it....we fly TOY airplanes.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Yes, we do. And I love quotes.:D

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Glow plugs can last a long time. I've had some last three to four years, which is really surprising. I don't do anything special with my engines. I just try to run them slightly rich.

Those of you who are advocating #8 plugs over A3s haven't mentioned that they're in different heat ranges. You might want to suggest picking a plug based on proper heat range, rather than how you feel about the quality.

And yeah, failing to trim quotes sure makes a thread less readable. Why not take the five seconds to do everyone a favor?

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

There was a good thread here a while back on the proper heat range vs glow plug. I also recal baxter telling us that the Tower plug (which i have too many of) is an A-3. I'll go see if i can find that thread and bump it back . PS I wanted to quote on Mike here but need to see ho big we can get this.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

While the quote game is entertaining to some, it's irritating to others. Here's a link to the Test Posting Forum http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_72/tt.htm . That would be a great place for anyone interested in pushing the limit to see how far it can go.

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Chuck, I did this out of love, respect and since I am recovering from surgery and have little-else better to do, ....boredom.

You can quote me on that!!!

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

Hope you get to feeling better soon:D

RE: How long should a glow plug last?
 

I don't love quotes THAT much.:D