Engine Timing and glow plug burn out?

[JohnMarvin]

I'm burning through glow plugs every month or so. It runs fine, and I dont think its electrical. I've heard that if the timing on the engine is off, it will overheat and burn out glow plugs. Is this accurate? If so, how to adjust timing?

[skullzaflare]

Are you sure you are running correct voltage through them? Stock plugs are 5v usually

[Uncle Spence]

What is your current set up? Are you still running the factory timed setup or has it been updated to a manual type? Every month is pretty bad, but I don't see how timing would effect the amount of heat that the glow plugs put out.

[skullzaflare]

What is your current set up? Are you still running the factory timed setup or has it been updated to a manual type? Every month is pretty bad, but I don't see how timing would effect the amount of heat that the glow plugs put out.
I think hes thinking the plugs are in the combustion chamber

[JohnMarvin]

Its a manual, 12V, push button system. I talked with a electrical mechanic and he told me that the battery is pushing 12V, and the plugs are 12V, so it should not be electrical. Ive tried 6V and 9V plugs with no better outcome. I cant figure out why the plugs are burning out so quick. Ideas?

[skullzaflare]

You sure you have 12v plugs in them? i had a heck of a time finding a 11v, and that was the closest i could find.
factory is 6v, they pump 12v for a few seconds then steps down to 6v

How long are you holding it? the 6v and 11v have a heater protection circuit to keep from getting to hot

[huff]

If so, how to adjust timing?

I don't know if that is accurate. My guess is that a glowplug should be designed to handle the conditions of being inside an engine, so I would lean towards thinking it was electrical, just like everybody else here. But if you do want to adjust the timing, there should be some explanations if you search on this site... The proper tools include a dial (or digital) indicator, and an adapter to hold the indicator to the back of the pump. Then you loosen the pump and set the timing marks and twist the pump until the settings are correct (indicator is 1mm at 5 degrees ATDC). Full details are spelled out in the manuals.

[huff]

I don't know if that is accurate. My guess is that a glowplug should be designed to handle the conditions of being inside an engine, so I would lean towards thinking it was electrical, just like everybody else here. But if you do want to adjust the timing, there should be some explanations if you search on this site... The proper tools include a dial (or digital) indicator, and an adapter to hold the indicator to the back of the pump. Then you loosen the pump and set the timing marks and twist the pump until the settings are correct (indicator is 1mm at 5 degrees ATDC). Full details are spelled out in the manuals.

Just a note that I recently put in a 4d56, and the manual suggests a different spec for the timing...
On 4d56 engines with an "A" or "B" stamped into the front driver's side corner of the head, the timing is set to 1mm @ 7 degrees ATDC.

On engines with a "C" or "D", the setting is 1mm @ 9 degrees ATDC.

For 4d55 engines, it is 1mm @ 5 degrees.