Club 80-90 Forums

1st Happy new year everyone.

A few years ago I owned a VW Passat it needed me to turn the ignition switch on to warm the glow plugs then once the light went off fire up, I traded that for a 2004 1.4tdi polo which didn't need this aka instant fire up I now own and intend to use my 1989 T3 as a daily drive my problem is the polo made me lazy is there any glow plugs I could go and fit to the T3 to help me simply turn the ignition key and get instant ignition?

BTW anyone who has read of my delema with refitting the interior to my van I have a good idea of what fits where ect but as my last campervan was an autosleeper I am now looking for an autosleeper Trident interior from a scrap van if anyone knows where I might find one or bit's of one? The reason I ask this is although I am almost sure I am heading in the right direction with the the interior the van came with I did intend to replace the bed with a rock and roll bed I even UAV the Hinge's but have just read these might not be strong enough? Oh if only I could work out how to add photos I could show how far I am ecty

Thanks in advance

This must be a wind up! You cannot wait 30 seconds for glow plugs?
How impatient can you get! Get in, turn ignition on and by the time that you have checked seat belt, wiped screen and checked traffic they are ready.
You could fit fast glow plugs but you would have to change the glow plug relay also. Pointless springs to mind.

The more modern tdi's are just better at starting and don't really need the glow plugs to start, thats why they start easier. nothing to do with the glow plugs themselves

Oldiebut goodie wrote:This must be a wind up! You cannot wait 30 seconds for glow plugs?
How impatient can you get! Get in, turn ignition on and by the time that you have checked seat belt, wiped screen and checked traffic they are ready.
You could fit fast glow plugs but you would have to change the glow plug relay also. Pointless springs to mind.

OK I was up at 05:00hrs this am to go to work, at that time of day every second count's but bearing in mind what you say that's the answer turn keyt 1st lol that's what I used to do

Wasn't a wind up thanks for remained in me lol

lloydy wrote:The more modern tdi's are just better at starting and don't really need the glow plugs to start, thats why they start easier. nothing to do with the glow plugs themselves

Thanks see previous post now remember how it used to be in the day's before the polo lol

Some times when you're in your 60s you need reminded

My 1980's F0RD engine in my boat doesn't use glow plugs. Have never needed them either. Different tolerances maybe is the key.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:My 1980's F0RD engine in my boat doesn't use glow plugs. Have never needed them either. Different tolerances maybe is the key.

It is the difference between direct and indirect injection. Indirect engine need glow plugs and pre glow or manifold air heaters to start. Direct injection doesn't normally need glow plugs but are often fitted to passenger cars but will often only come on below 0 deg C as an aid for quick starting and will stay on whilst warming up for reduced emissions.

Must admit it is a direct injection engine.

Some models have a feature where glow plug cycle starts when you open the driver's door. By the time you've jumped in and put the key in, it's ready to fire up. Could be a fairly easy mod for a t25 if you can design the circuit (timer relay to switch a high current relay as preheat, then let standard relay take over)

^^^^^^ but as the op is driving a t25 then surely speed and time ie; 30 secs is not an issue
mm

I'd have very annoyed neighbours if I was starting my diesel t25 at 5am

The glow plug relay varies the time that the glow plugs are on dependant upon temperature. Having said this, I have never experienced one of these keeping the glow plugs on for anything more than 8 -9 seconds even on the coldest mornings.
Although I admit to not owning one myself, I would suggest that you may have other issues, i.e. faulty relay or temp sensor. And if you have never changed the glow plugs I would say they need swapping as a matter of cause, they are pretty much a service replacement item and always a 'first fit' with most diesel starting problems. Glow plugs become less efficient as they get older, they take longer to warm and a shorter proportion of the glow plug tip warms. All in all just get them changed if the history is unknown. Use quality replacements...Bosch/Beru

Martin

Mine will take 20 seconds plus on a colder morning and I've swapped the glow plugs fairly recently (well sub 10k miles!)

Mine takes an age but as long as I wait it rewards me with by firing on the very first turn of the starter, small price imo

Yeah mines the same - first turn every time - makes you feel proud - my van is 33 years old and still gets going every time