Glow plugs

[johnnyroper]

Checking my glow plugs today I found they are all are 1.6ohms and do work but despite getting hot when light on and the 6-7 seconds after light goes out they never glow red like I would expect.
If I connect directly to battery it takes about 20 seconds to get red hot.

If memory serves correctly I should be seeing about 0.9-1.0ohms and they should glow after about 4 seconds?

Going to get a new set but first after recommendations on what make is best for heat up time and durability.
Choices are

Bosch
Beru
Delphi

[Mirez]

Yeah 1.6ohm is too high, 0.3-0.6 is the target for a decent glow plug and yes you would see red and then hopefully white after 3 to 5 seconds.

Brutally honest, the TDI engine in the Mk2 Galaxy will handle UK weather 'extremes' even with all 4 not working so whilst normally I suggest getting the best possible in this case it should be more about the money. From your list Beru would be my choice, followed by Bosch and then Delphi.

I would also consider NGK, IMO the best you can get at the moment:
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-2702-lookup-results.aspx?vehicleid=16005&variantlist=80457:0,77418:458593~458594~458595&yearFilter=2002

[johnnyroper]

I have noticed since temp dropped in Wiltshire past couple of days it has started to take an extra few seconds to fire up and then has a chug and smokey exhaust.

Thanks for that I hadn't considered NGK purely on past experience of their spark plugs.
Vauxhall used to run like a pig with them in and I spent Ã,£100 on some for my old Alfa twin spark only for 1 of them to blow apart within weeks of fitting,the ceramic parted company with steel boss allowing flames to shoot out wrecking cam cover and coil pack.

I will certainly consider the glow plugs though.

[Mirez]

Yeah its certainly dropped a tad, first day I've had to defrost the golf this week (and subsequently the last day of EOS driving as it hibernates in the garage for the rest of Jan/Feb!).

Yup the slowness and smoke could indeed be down to the plugs but it should still start regardless on these engines however I too would want them working!

Denso are also pretty reliable and personally I wouldn't have a problem fitting any of the plugs you have considered. I do recall there being a variation in plugs at some point in the PD history (from memory they de/increased in length) so check your build date when ordering

[johnnyroper]

I opted for Bosch ones in the end as they were best price at Ã,£31 delivered.
I done 3 ignition on cycles today as it was a touch parky out and it fired up better. It always starts I just want to lose the smoke and cranking first thing in morning

[suffolkadam]

Just noticed your post on the glow plugs. I had the same little puff in the morning on the very first start up so decided to check the plugs and all 4 were dead. with the plug in your hand put your multi meter on continuity setting " the beep setting" and put the probes either end if they beep there good if they don't beep throw away just like checking a fuse. I bought a complete set of the beru ones from euro carparts Ã,£6.50 each but I have an account so I get a good discount. and to be honest didn't really think they made much difference to the starting maybe its just a bit warmer in Suffolk , anyway my fishing buddy is a Ford master tech for the Marshall motor group in bury st eds and he reckons the puff on first start is due to unburnt diesel sitting in the injector heads, it leaks down through the seals. he also reckons I'm a tart and should stop worrying but that's a different story.
I phoned him today and he wants a new consumer unit and some new sockets fitted in his house so he's gonna trade me by doing my head gasket! if I need it...result. I know I could and should do it myself but he'll be a lot quicker and plus he sticks it on the computer as well and checks it all out.

[johnnyroper]

Bonus getting a mate to sort gasket especially as he will get parts at trade price.
Regards the glow plugs mine check out on continuity (beep setting) but Are a tad high on ohms the higher the ohms the slower the heat up and lower the temp output.
I also got beru ones not Bosch as stated above,they measure 0.5 ohms and glow red within 3 seconds.
The smoke from mine is also not helped by my timing still being retarded no matter what position cam wheel is in it never goes + best I can get and still have it start and drive ok is -1.9. Think my cam sensor is on its way out.

[johnnyroper]

Fitted the beru plugs today what a difference they make,initial observation was they are slightly longer and thinner at the end than ones that come out. I reckon the old ones being thicker could have been upsetting the injector spray pattern because I have read the nozzles spray around the plug?
The heat up time is greatly reduced and cold starting is better,just need to perfect the timing now to stop the puff of smoke.