Starting fluid

zman1202 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 05:16 PM

I have heard that starting fluid screws the engines badly i use ether at my shop on our equipment but would like some addvice, thanks

dyoung14 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 05:28 PM

anytime i use starting fluid i always un plug the glow plugs and just give it a very little wiff of it

Festus Hagen · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 06:28 PM

This is a very controversial subject.

Some say ether is fine, Some not.

Personally I dislike ether, I have seen some pretty scary results from it's use.
I consider any use, Abuse!

Glow Plugs and Ether... The first time the GP's prematurely explode the ether you will become a believer in it's destructive powers!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

dyoung14 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 09:14 PM

that is why you un plug the glow plug system the you have no hot plugs and dont have any un expected kaboom

Jim Allen · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 08:23 AM

IMO ether is for last ditch emergency kinda stuff. Nver had to use it on my Ford, but several times on my old GM diesel.

It's not too bad on DI engines with lower compression ratios and a very open combustion chamber, but it can be tough on IDIs because it tends to be more suddenly explosive in the more closed, two-section combustion chamber. It's the same reason propane isn't as good in an IDI as it is in a DI... because the gas doesn't mix as well with the fuel to catalyze it and makes pockets of pure gas that explode violently to create hot spots.

Not to mention a glow plug that will sent the intake manifold and/or cylinder head into low synchronous orbit.

wreckinball · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 11:50 AM

i used it a few times to get my truck around until i learned how to rewire and replace all the system on here. I will never use it again unless i am stranded and dying.

kenpobuck · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 05:17 PM

The PO of my engine used it cause he couldn't keep glow plugs in it (used the cheapies). I have used it once at work when I left the key on all day and killed the batteries. It was last winter and a buddy was jumping me with his car. Even after about 20 minutes of charging it would kill it if I hit the plugs so I gave it a snort and it fired right up, that was the first and last time I have used it. Now whe nit is cold I park up by the overhead door at work and plug it in at about 2 pm by for it fires right up and I make sure the key is off lol.

Festus Hagen · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 05:32 PM

I would never knock anyone for doing what they gotta do, to get what they gotta get done, done!

However, If someone is to cheap or lazy to fix it right and goes out and squirts ether to start their Diesel every morning I would have zero respect for them for they have zero respect for their equipment.

I have a great admiration and respect for mechanical equipment, you treat it right and it'll treat you right.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

wreckinball · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 07:09 PM

well put festus, yep you gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done but find the problem and fix it. My GP issues has me pulling my hair out but the day that i got it all sorted and it fired on her own for the first time and has since, was the best day ever. That feeling of fixing is what most men require to stay sane. Now with my truck i get that feeling all the time!!!

Case in point is today, i got rid of my blue smoke by cleaning the CDR(didnt know it existed till today) and now it is running better than ever, and people tend to enjoy driving behind me more! hahaha

Dave Sponaugle · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 07:31 PM

Be careful, fixing your own engine and maintaining your own vehicle can be addicting.

And put you in a dying breed.

Festus Hagen · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle

Be careful, fixing your own engine and maintaining your own vehicle can be addicting.

And put you in a dying bread.

Ok, I gotta do it Dave, sorry... It's breed!

One typically eats bread.

However, you are very correct!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

wreckinball · #12 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 08:38 PM

yeah i read it a few times and concluded the same thing. hahaha! It is addicting and yes fixing ones own vehicle is addicting, it is the completion part.

Festus Hagen · #13 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 10:16 PM

To me it's not just the completion, It's everything up to and including the completion...

I just like fixing things, been doing it for day or two, I suspect I'll do it for another day or two.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

kenpobuck · #14 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 10:20 PM

Same here. My landlord says that "I am ate up with workin on my truck" lol. I have the hood up all the time just tinkering and seeing what I can do.

Dave Sponaugle · #15 (**permalink**) 07-03-2009, 10:57 PM

Fat fingers and not proof reading my post.

I never took typing in school either, so I am still happy I do as well as I do.

If I had any idea they would invent the personal computer and you would have to type on it, you can bet typing would have been one of my classes.