Just in case anyone was wondering

[airdrew99]

Just in case anyone was wondering, the 7.3L Powerstroke can run on only 4 injectors and 4 glow plugs. After changing out a bad glow plug today, I reassembled everything, then cranked the truck and let it run about 5-10 minutes. Then, I pulled the valve cover plug to check the resistance again on my new glow plug and forgot to plug it back in. The truck cranked up just fine, but then it was sputtering and took a lot more throttle to rev it. After plugging it back in it ran great again.

Drew

 

[JLDickmon]

'aight

 

[Stroked68]

Thats the "fuel efficient mode" right? haha.

 

[airdrew99]

Thats the "fuel efficient mode" right? haha.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Stroked68]

Did you have any probs with gettin yer gp out? You just change one or all??

 

[airdrew99]

Did you have any probs with gettin yer gp out? You just change one or all??

Stroked68,
I just had one bad glow plug. I changed all of them about 2-3 yrs ago. Since I've changed them before, this time was a breeze. I just removed the passenger side intercooler duct, passenger side valve cover, unplugged the glow plug, removed the glow plug, and then reinstalled the new one in the reverse order. It takes a deep 1/4" drive 10mm socket to get on the glow plug. The glow plug has to stay resting in the hole while you pull the socket out. Then finish unscrewing the glow plug with pliers or rubber hose. I have a few pics if you want me to post them.

Drew

 

[Stroked68]

Yea if you could post them that would be great. Im dreading doing mine cause I dont know if its been done before. Im pretty sure it has been since its got 269k on it. I hear the horror stories of the gp breaking off or somethin. So far its been startin. Guess when it gets even colder time will tell.

 

[DaveBen]

When it gets colder, you will wished you had done them NOW.

Dave

 

[airdrew99]

Here are a few pics of the passenger side valve cover removed. Sorry about the picture quality, I used my cell phone for the pics. In the third picture, the glow plug wire is a light yellow color just above and to the right of the injector assembly (which is brown and in the middle of the photo). The socket tries to hit the rocker arm just to the right of the glow plug/glow plug wire. The valve cover has ten bolts holding it down. It was sort of a puzzle to work it out of all the wire harnesses to remove it from the truck.

 

[Stroked68]

When it gets colder, you will wished you had done them NOW.

Dave

Yea thats what im thinkin dave! So far its been startin in the cold weather last yr. Hasnt gotten cold enough here yet to see if thats what it is. I did have to start pluggin it in last yr sometimes when it was really freakin cold.