Well, if it doesn't do any immediate damage it can do internal damage to the piston and combustion chamber. Engines that are repeatedly started on ether can become 'ether dependent' - that is, after a while there will be no way to get it to start without ether, even with working glow plugs and warm temperatures. 1. Glow Plugs and Block Warmers: On a chilly day, the vast majority of diesel engines can be started with glow plugs or block heaters. Glow plugs work by heating the internal combustion chamber, allowing for proper compression and, eventually, ignition. 2. Wait for the Glow Plugs to Warm Up: If the combustion chamber isn’t sufficiently heated Glow plug is merely an aid for starting the engine. There are many designs still produced today without any glow plugs (eg military diesels run without any electricity), and even many modern diesel engines can be started if glow plugs fail (unless onboard computer prevents that). Here are the 7 things you should know about glow plugs! 1. The Function of Glow Plugs. A glow plug is a hot surface near the fuel injection area that helps ignite the fuel. Glow plugs are required to ensure that the injected fuel can be evaporated – especially when it is cold. And ignite on the surface of the plug. Ignition insight. “Diesel engines use glow plugs as a kind of immersion heater - pre-heating the intake air in the combustion chamber in order to help them start – especially when the weather gets cold,” says Kai. “In normal temperatures, ambient air is drawn into the engine cylinders and then massively compressed to reach around 900 Asking, "How many spark plugs does a diesel have?" may sound like a simple question. Actually, there are a few solutions, so it's not true. Place one point on the battery's positive post and the other on the plug's body. Make a note of the reading, which should be between .6- and 2 ohms. After checking all of the plugs, remove those Towed it home and it set a couple days before I could work on it. The 60amp glow plug fuse was blown. Replaced it, blowed immediately upon turning engine over. I have removed and ohm out all glow plugs and drooping resistor. All test ok. If I disconnect the supply power to the glow plugs the fuse doesn't blow, but the truck won't start. FvcQ7.