Bosch duraterm glow plugs

[rabbitman]

I've heard that these plugs are way durable and have overheat protection. But has anyone varified that they for SURE do?

On my '92 golf, it has starting problems still so I made a jumper wire with a clamp on each end so I can trick them into staying on longer than they want to. So far I've glowed them for well over a minute with intermittant cranking and they've held up so far.

But I'm always worried that 1 or 2 will suddenly burn out and leave me really stranded so I'm thinking I should buy five and donate one to the betterment of this forum by letting it glow 'til it glows no more and documenting it. I'd screw it into a head I have laying around so the heat sink would be accurate like an installed GP.

Kind of a waste I know but wouldn't you like knowing how long they can take such abuse?

[8v-of-fury]

I had my manual glow plug system fail. The relay stuck open and allowed the glow plugs to stay on for well over half an hour, more than once too... This was two years ago, they are now in their third motor. They glow just as strong as brand new ones.

I recommend nothing but bro, they ARE the best.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

I agree that Duraterms are the new standard.

The only test i have done with them is out of the box - how long to glow red/orange. Seems about same time as Fast Bosch. yeh, i test glowplugs even new out of the box before install. lol

Also have a manual Gplug switch on one car.
Have left it on twice by mistake - overnight.
Dead battery next morning both times - but Duraterms still alive.

It would be Very Interesting to see the results of your Stress Test.
I guess my accidental stress test was similar - but not documented.

You might get tired of testing and just call them winners before they die. lol

[Baron VonZeppelin]

My "test" may have gave them an unfair advantage. idunno
I have a 50 amp self-resetting breaker on my manual system.
It might have aided them a little bit - but not a whole lot - they did cycle enough to kill the battery.

[rabbitman]

Sounds like I could be wasting some time and money than. If I couldn't kill it I'd just have a spare . I kinda want to see the on/off and see how long off before coming back on and stuff. It would be cool.

[8v-of-fury]

I have an one hanging around. Just slightly used. I also have a spare head just sitting.. maybe I will plug it in to the head and take some videos?? and a cheapo BERU for comparison. OH WAIT! ALL MY BERU'S BURNT OUT! lmao

[lovinthedeez]

Before I installed a push button in my manual system (had an on/off switch before ), I had a senior moment one time and left them on.  Only thing that cooked was the solenoid used to fire them.  Duraterms are well worth the eight or nine bucks a pop.   

[dieselweasel]

The stock glow plug controller for mk3s with AAZ keeps the glow plugs powered for the first 2 minutes or so after a cold start.  Rarely have plugs burn out on me. 

[8v-of-fury]

The stock glow plug controller for mk3s with AAZ keeps the glow plugs powered for the first 2 minutes or so after a cold start.  Rarely have plugs burn out on me. 

Oh yeah totally. Depending on the morning, I may leave my plugs on for 3+ minutes depending on the temperature. Engine really loves me for it too.

[R.O.R-2.0]

The stock glow plug controller for mk3s with AAZ keeps the glow plugs powered for the first 2 minutes or so after a cold start.  Rarely have plugs burn out on me. 

Oh yeah totally. Depending on the morning, I may leave my plugs on for 3+ minutes depending on the temperature. Engine really loves me for it too.

i glow until my engine smooths out and runs on all 4 cylinders evenly.. then i let the plugs go out. the alternator thanks me for it 

on the COLDEST days i usually only after glow for 20-30 seconds.. but i have normal bosch plugs, not duraterms.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

...I kinda want to see the on/off and see how long off before coming back on and stuff. It would be cool.

I agree.

[srgtlord]

instead of worrying about leaving the glowplugs on you guys could get the stock glowplug system to work. Its pretty reliable after the fuse and relay have been replaced.

[8v-of-fury]

instead of worrying about leaving the glowplugs on you guys could get the stock glowplug system to work. Its pretty reliable after the fuse and relay have been replaced.

Very true, but sometimes it is not always that easy.

Such as when swapping a diesel in to a car that was originally a gas car.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

On the 89 i have a manual switch in, it also has a fully functional stock/automatic working Gplug system.

I put the manual system in as a band-aid on a hot starting problem.

[R.O.R-2.0]

instead of worrying about leaving the glowplugs on you guys could get the stock glowplug system to work. Its pretty reliable after the fuse and relay have been replaced.

Very true, but sometimes it is not always that easy.

Such as when swapping a diesel in to a car that was originally a gas car.

yup, my car was originally equipped with digifizz.. so no native support for glow plugs.. i had to roll my own glow plug system..

used a ford constant duty solenoid, but it needs a bigger power supply, and glow plug supply wire..

ive never really much cared for the stock glow plug timer setup. its not a good idea to have power travel 4 feet to the relay, then another 4 feet back out to the glow plug fuse. when it could have went from the battery, to a fuse, to a relay under the hood, to the glow plugs, for a total of about 2 ft of wire! lol..