Every morning my husband has gotten in the habit of spraying ether under the hood instead of plugging the truck up overnight.

I told him it causes engine damage, but he doesn't believe me.

I seriously do not want to buy a new engine for this truck.

Can anyone, once again, explain to me why ether is bad and what it does to your engine?

We have a '95 7.3L Powerstroke.

 

hits the hot glow plugs and BOOOOM!! usually destroys turbos the intake system and sometimes more from the explosion

it can be used if the glowplugs are disabled but still not reccomended. it will pit pistons.

 

Fix the glow plugs or plug it in. Either way is MUCH cheaper and less inconvenience than popping a motor. Ether BAD!

 

a snort of ether--and turn the switch and crank immediately--and the glow plugs wont warm up--and wont blow--but just a snort--not the whole can!!!!!!!!!!i us jd ether myself--80%--it works!!!!

 

while your at it throw a stick of dynamite in your cyclinder to just to light it off quicker!
like before fix your glow plugs and plug it in. i put mine on a timer so not much juice being used.

 

I like the timer idea- thanks for the tip-

Glo plugs were recently replaced- and we're only talking about 20 t0 30 degree weather here.

I think I'm convincing him. He's out there plugging her up right now.

 

There is still a problem in the system. It should start easily at those temps unassisted. Maybe the relay is bad.

 

thank you for the putting down of me--i really appreciate it--they asked--wisely used--no harm-and while your talking about dynamite--do you know old timers knocked frozen engines loose that way--think the explosion inside the cyl when it goes off is any diff---nice to be put down--thanks

 

how many of you have seen either used for cleaning purposes????

notice how fast it drys the surface, now think what it is doing to your cylinder walls, all dry and no oil for the first few rounds till the either is gone, if you have to try wd 40, more lubricant.

Diesel Rod

 

These trucks start at -20 if everything is working right, although it should be avoided. Cant imagine using starting fluid on my engine. I use it on my dozers but no glow plugs.

 

I would never use ether on a glow plug engine. It's not only the heat from the plugs possibly setting off the ether, but the shockwave from the ether can shatter the plugs. While both ether and diesel fuel make a bang, the ether burns much more violently and quickly than diesel.

 

the difference between lighting ether in an engine that is froxe up and an engine that is cranking is compression. when compressed fuels explodemuch more. have you ever tried taking a light to diesel fuel? you can't light it so why in the world do our truck run so well on it..... compression.

94_turbo i apoligize for my remarks i guess i was not feeling very nice last night i ask for your forgiveness.

thanks
tim

 

Diesel Combustion is fundamentally different from other types of combustion engines. As the diesel fuel start to burn it burns slowly and expands into the cylinder generating a steady pressure that moves the piston down. With the cylinder being cold during starting the glow plug provide a little boost to start the burn process; although with newer direct injected diesels the need for glow plugs is fast becomming a thing of the past as combustion chamber and injector designs have been improved and optimized.

Combustion of gases such as ether, propane, Natural Gas or heaven forbid hydrogen occur in a more explosive manner. The force of the explosion gets worse as the pressure these gases are under prior to ingition. Hot glow plugs might actually be a blessing as they hopefull ignite the ether before it has been fully compressed possibly while the intake valve is still open so the explosion has somewhere to go.

One reason you can buy different grades of Octane in gasoline is to keep your gasoline/air mix from exploding in the cylinder before it has a chance to burn.

Aside from the longterm wear and tear, It is crap shot every time you use either on a diesel, you are just asking for that hole in your pistons or that connecting rod sticking out of the side of the block or your oil pan.

 

Ether “starting fluid” has a flash point of –50° F and a cetane rating of 85+. Danger - do not use in diesel engines - this causes high-pressure spikes that can damage glow plugs, rings, pistons, etc.... cost you alot of money.

 

I would really like to see that happen. It is -20 a LOT of the the time here in South Central Alaska and if you don't plug it in you may as well call the boss and tell them that you are going to be very late; even with light viscosity oil. One of the problems is that at -20 the batteries don't have very much voltage or amperage. When you are missing those two things, your good old glow plugs just don't get very warm and your truck doesn't start. In fact, it will hardly even turn over. As far as starting fluid in our diesels, it is not a good idea and I would never do it to my investment.