The glow plug is a mechanism found in diesel engines that ignites the engine's air-fuel mixture. It supplies heat and pressure so the vehicle can fire up the fuel in cold weather.
Diesel glow plug principleThe diesel engine does not use a spark plug to begin the combustion process. Instead, they depend on compression to increase the temperature of the air to the point where the diesel fires up when hot, high-pressure air is presented. When the temperature gets too cold it can become difficult to start a diesel engine, because the air in the cylinder of a diesel requires it to be hot to combust the fuel.
Glow plug significanceThe glow plug plays a key role in aiding a diesel engine so that it can start in cold temperatures. To help with cold starting, the diesel engine has a heating device known as the glow plug which is placed in the combustion chamber. The glow plug has a heating portion that once it reaches a certain temperature, the component glows when a current is applied.
Common issues with a defective glow plugA faulty glow plug can lead to engine misfire, poor fuel economy, or difficulty in starting the engine.