How many glow plugs does a Ford Transit have?
In diesel engines, glow plugs heat the intake air to help with starting in cold conditions. For the Ford Transit, the number of glow plugs generally matches the engine’s cylinder count: four for most four-cylinder variants and five for typical five-cylinder variants. The exact count depends on the specific engine used in your model year.
Engine variants and glow plug counts
The Transit lineup has used both four- and five-cylinder diesel engines across generations. To avoid miscounting, verify the exact engine code or cylinder count for your specific model year. The following guide covers the most common configurations you’ll encounter in modern Transits:
- 4-cylinder engines (examples include EcoBlue 2.0, Duratorq 2.2): 4 glow plugs
- 5-cylinder engines (examples include 3.2 Duratorq, older 2.4 Duratorq): 5 glow plugs
In practice, most contemporary Transits run four-cylinder engines and thus have four glow plugs. If you’re replacing glow plugs, confirm the engine code or cylinder count to order the correct parts.
How to confirm your engine’s cylinder count
Check the engine code on the vehicle’s data plate or VIN, consult the owner’s manual, or review the service documentation. The cylinder count determines the number of glow plugs, as there is typically one glow plug per cylinder.
Maintenance and practical tips
Glow plugs are important for reliable cold-weather starts and overall diesel performance. If one fails, you might experience hard starting, misfiring, or a check engine light. When servicing, consider replacing glow plugs in the same job if your engine requires it according to the maintenance schedule, and always use parts that match your engine’s cylinder count.
Summary
Summary: The Ford Transit typically has one glow plug per cylinder. Four-cylinder engines have four glow plugs, five-cylinder engines have five. Always verify your specific engine variant to ensure you order the correct parts.
