Why Glow Plugs Are So Important For Your Mercedes?

Of all the car components, the glow plug tends to have the shortest lifespan- approximately 100,000 miles or so. The good news, however- they are relatively cheap to replace. For those who don't know, a glow plug contributes to the ignition of a car, just as a spark plug does.

The operation of these devices is often taken for granted until they cease to work as efficiently as they used to. You'd be surprised at how many problems can result from this; ranging from misfiring to difficult starting. For your convenience, we have put together a few signs of a failing glow plug. Keep reading to find out.

What Is A Glow Plug And How Does It Work?

Glow plugs are only found in vehicles with diesel-powered engines. Diesel engines, like gasoline engines, generate mechanical torque from thermal energy. But, the way they accomplish this is slightly different. Gasoline engines work on the principle of the Otto cycle while diesel engines work on the principle of the Diesel cycle.

Gasoline engines come equipped with spark plugs to facilitate the combustion process whereas diesel engines deploy glow plugs for the same. Spark and glow plugs may have different physical appearances and functions, but their ultimate goal is to aid in the combustion process.

The glow plug is a very complicated piece of equipment that comes fitted with a heating coil. This coil, when energized, heats up and radiates visible light. The heat radiated by this device essentially helps a diesel-powered engine to start and operate efficiently. But, as with any other electrical appliance, glow plugs can go bad. And, a faulty glow plug, if not replaced in time, can result in a host of performance issues.

Signs Your Mercedes Glow Plugs Are Messed Up

Diesel engine hard starting

What's the latest on your Mercedes? Does it take a long time to start it? Because, if such is the case, either not enough gasoline is reaching the engine, or there is something wrong with the ignition system- possibly the glow plug is faulty.

Some of the other problems that can make a vehicle hard to start are faulty fuel injectors, a faulty starter motor and a clogged air intake system. If it's the glow plug that's making it hard for you to start your car, get it replaced as soon as possible. Because, if you do nothing about the defective glow plug, things can go out of your hand in no time.

Car slow to accelerate

Another common sign that there is a problem with your vehicle's ignition coil is sluggish acceleration. Wondering what a defective glow plug can do to a diesel-fueled vehicle's power? Well, the ultimate goal of a glow plug is to heat the air and fuel inside the cylinder for an optimal combustion process.

So, it's obvious, a fault in a part of such importance can adversely affect the engine's efficiency. So, if your vehicle is struggling to pick up speed, the first thing that you should do is to have someone check on its glow plug.

Engine misfire

Engine misfire in a diesel vehicle could be the result of a number of different issues. The simplest one is a defective glow plug. According to what we've already discussed, a glow plug is an electrical device responsible for warming up the air and fuel inside the cylinder for optimal engine performance.

A malfunctioning glow plug can cause severe problems for an engine and even cause it to misfire. An engine misfire can also mean that the vehicle’s fuel delivery system has failed, or the air intake system has gone bad.

Dashboard warning lights

A faulty glow plug can prompt your car computer to display different warning lights and messages. So, if your Mercedes' check engine light or glow plug warning indicator is on, you could be dealing with glow plug-related problems. And, if you ignore these warning indicators and keep driving, the functionality of the engine will suffer.

So, the Bottom Line Is;

The gist of this article is glow plug plays an important role in the overall functionality of a diesel-powered vehicle. And, faults in a part of such importance can bring the vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. That's why if you are noticing any of the above-said signs when driving your Mercedes, get its glow plug tested.