Ignition specialist NGK works tirelessly to help its stockists and their garage customers cope with the increased winter demand for glow plugs for diesel powered vehicles. This is a key selling period for glow plugs and NGK works closely with customers to ensure they do not miss out on any sales opportunities.  

Mark Hallam, Marketing Manager, NGK Spark Plugs, said: “Factors and garages are all fully aware that glow plugs sales spike in the winter months as temperatures fall and NGK is there to help them cope with the increased demand by ensuring they stock the right profile of glow plugs to leverage this sales opportunity.”

Glow plug replacement should be part of the winter service as they play an integral role in a vehicle’s economy and emissions’ performance and NGK says that instead of changing one faulty glow plug, workshops should ‘upsell’ by replacing all of them. 

If one plug has failed, it is extremely likely that the remaining plugs will shortly suffer a similar fate. By replacing the vehicle set, not only will the tight emissions legislation be complied with, but as the glow plug is now an integral part of the engine management system, the starting and cold drive quality will be kept at its maximum.

NGK glow plugs, start diesel engines quickly and smoothly and offer an excellent post-glow function, together with a long service life. 

As glow plugs are often installed in engines for many thousands of miles, some vehicles are more prone than others in presenting removal problems. If there is doubt that a glow plug can be removed without damage, if accessibility, circumstances, and time permits, technicians should apply penetrating oil around the glow plug, then a squirt of engine oil. The vehicle should then be continued to be used and the job tackled on a latter day to allow the oil to penetrate and do its work. Plugs should then be removed whilst the engine is still hot.  

To avoid damage to a new glow plug, NGK recommends following the installation advice on the NGK packaging and to always install on to the taper seat by hand. They should not over tighten the glow plug, or the terminal if the electrical connection is secured via a nut. 

Because glow plugs are now a vital part of the engine management system it has never been more important to ensure that the installer is fitting the correct specification item. 

NGK says garages should avoid budget alternatives as the engine management system can pick up very quickly the fact that they are not to the correct specification. The glow/engine management light will illuminate, performance of the vehicle will suffer, and worst case would be that consequential damage could result. 

For more information on NGK Spark Plugs and its products and services, please visit the website at www.ngkntk.com/uk.