Ignition specialist, NGK, reported that it works tirelessly to help its distributors and their garage customers cope with the increased winter demand for glow plugs for diesel powered vehicles.
The winter months are the key selling period for glow plugs, and NGK works closely with its distributors to ensure they do not miss out on any sales opportunities.
NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd Marketing Manager, Mark Hallam, said: “Factors, distributors and garages are all fully aware that glow plug sales spike in the winter months as temperatures fall, and NGK is there to help them cope with the increased demand by ensuring they stock the right profile of glow plugs to leverage this sales opportunity.”
Glow plug replacement should be part of the winter service, according to NGK, as they play an integral role in a vehicle’s economy and emissions performance, and instead of changing one faulty glow plug, workshops should ‘upsell’ by replacing all of them.
If one plug has failed, it is extremely likely that the remaining plugs will suffer a similar fate in the near future. By replacing the vehicle set, not only will the tight emissions legislation be complied with, but as the glow plug is now an integral part of the engine management system, the starting and cold drive quality will be kept at its maximum.
Removal and fitting
As glow plugs are often installed in engines for many thousands of miles, some vehicles are more prone than others in presenting removal problems. If there is doubt that a glow plug can be removed without damage, then if accessibility, circumstances, and time permits, a technician should consider penetrating oil around the glow plug, then a squirt of engine oil. The vehicle can still be used, and the job can be tackled another day, according to NGK, to allow the oil to penetrate and do its work. Remove the glow plug whilst the engine is still hot, using obvious precautions to protect hands.
To avoid damaging a new glow plug, technicians should follow the installation advice on the NGK packaging: always install on to the taper seat by hand, do not over tighten the glow plug – or the terminal if the electrical connection is secured via a nut.
Why stock and fit OE specification glow-plugs?
NGK claimed that because glow plugs are now a vital part of the engine management system, it has never been more important to ensure that the installer is fitting the correct specification item.
NGK went further by advising against budget alternatives, as the engine management system can pick up very quickly the fact that they are not to the correct specification. The glow/engine management light will illuminate, performance of the vehicle will suffer, and worst case would be that consequential damage could result.
Benefits of NGK glow plugs – according to NGK!
- Start diesel engines quickly and smoothly
- Offer an excellent post-glow function
- Have a long service life
- Offer the latest in high technology for today and tomorrow
