If the glow plugs in your Ford Powerstroke 7.3-liter engine have gone bad, you will notice that your truck is more difficult or even impossible to start. This is because the glow plugs are responsible for heating the diesel fuel enough that it explodes. The explosion moves the pistons, which move the engine and keep your vehicle moving. Although losing your glow plugs can be frustrating, the steps for replacing them are relatively simple.
Open and secure the hood on your Ford.
Look at the center of the engine. Here, you will see the glow plugs. They are the shape and size of a half pencil.
Remove the connection wire by pulling it straight out of the engine. The connection wire is easy to spot because it runs across all of the glow plugs.
Place your socket wrench over the first glow plug that you wish to remove. Make sure that it sinks to the bottom of the plug, where the retaining nut sits.
Turn your socket wrench in a counterclockwise motion to loosen the glow plug. Continue turning until you can remove the glow plug with your hand.
Remove the glow plug with your hand by pulling it up and out of the engine.
Guide the new glow plug into the empty glow plug channel.
Tighten the new glow plug with your socket wrench. This time, you will need to twist the socket wrench in a clockwise motion to tighten the glow plug.
Repeat these steps for the remaining glow plugs.
Replace the connection wire.
