Glow Plugs

[tractorsrus]

On my LK3054 my glow plugs seem to stay on for as long as I hold the switch, is this the way it should be? I had thought there would be on an automatic timer to shut them off when the cylinders reached temperature. If they are supposed to stay on, how long do u guys wait for them to warm the cylinders? I have been waiting 45 seconds or so.

 

[Noland]

How long you need to warm them depends on how cold it is, but I think that 45 seconds would be way longer than necessary on a warm day.

 

[wallace]

Yes they are a manual glow plug
It will depend on the air temp. for how long you should hold them.
I would start with maybe 10-20 seconds
If you hold them to long you will burn the tip off
If you look at the round chrome hole on the dash above the key switch you will see a coil thats turns orange will you preheat the glow plugs when it turns bright orange hold it for 3-5 secs. and then start the machine
The colder it is the more times you shoud cycle it.
I would cycle it 2 or 3 times before I would hold it on for 45 seconds.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I would agree with Wallace. It's much better to cycle a few times than to hold constantly.
I beleive the auto glug plugs on my CK20 hold for about 8 seconds and shut off. In cold weather, I then hold the manual setting for at least one more 8-10 second cycle.
After you've done it a few times in different weather, you'll know how much you need. If it starts and has a lot of smoke, you may want to heat a little more before starting in similar weather.
John