Are you supposed to use starter fluid every time? Or is it only for testing dead engines?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Only when you are starting an ancient non glow plug diesel in below zero conditions. Ahh the NOT so good old days. No its not at all a good idea to use starting fluid all the time.
 
They typically contain a lubricant, so really there is no damage issue on simple outdoor equipment. I have a can of it if the temperature is quite low, say, 40 F. It will help a poorly tuned lawn mower get started but you are better tuning up the mower instead. One good use is answering the question: is it spark or gas, when a mower won’t start. One shot of starter fluid will cause the mower to run for a few seconds as long as it has a spark. I use it only on lawn equipment and only when I need it. If you are try in to start a CAT in Fort McMurray on January 15, it can be handy. ;)
 
It all depends on your threshold of patience. Starter fluid was a regular thing for my family when we had 1980s lawn mowers and older vehicles that would burn oil, foul the plugs and had aging carbs. my parents had good income and maintained our cars but simply didn’t buy anything until the old ones were done. There were days when it was too cold, and myself or my dad would shoot some down the hole for the first start of the day.

m
 
If my mower has gas in it from last season when I go to start it in February or March, and won't start after 10 pulls or so, I'll give it a couple of shots of ether, starts right up.
 
Personally, I've never used starter fluid on a small engine, but then my stuff all gets put away before it gets cold enough to think about(I don't have a snow blower, and snow storms are usually light enough here that they're overkill).

I've used it plenty of times on carbureted cars, both for starting help and for diagnostic purposes. I keep a can in every carbureted car. On a cold day, especially if your choke is out of adjustment(or your choke cable decides to break as I had happen to me at a really inconvenient time once on a manual choke car), a 1-2 second spray in the intake before cranking can help get the first couple "coughs" and get things spinning just enough that the engine can keep itself running. If doing roadside troubleshooting, a quick spray is a good diagnostic tool to ID if it's an ignition issue or carburetor/fuel issue(if it will run on ether, even briefly, it's probably a carburetor problem, and if won't run it's probably an ignition problem).
 
Starter fluid only good for confirming you have a no spark condition, unless you are frozen in Alaska or something, then it may have some other value.
 
The issue in a diesel is the fact that it is significantly more volatile than diesel and will ignite before top dead center which can bend rods, break rings, etc. You should only introduce it while the engine is cranking and only a 1-2 second shot. Also remember that there’s no throttle plate in a diesel so if the intake is loaded up with ether and it starts it will spin at the maximum rpm that it can until the extra fuel source is gone or something let’s go. I am not aware of any real issues with using it in a gas engine and I have before.
 
It is meant to help start stubborn engines which have been sitting a long time. No more, no less. If it is needed all the time, there is a problem somewhere which needs correcting.
 
Brons2 said:
If my mower has gas in it from last season when I go to start it in February or March, and won't start after 10 pulls or so, I'll give it a couple of shots of ether, starts right up.
Click to expand...
Why would gas not be good enough to start, yet goof enough to run ?
 
Brons2 said:
If my mower has gas in it from last season when I go to start it in February or March, and won't start after 10 pulls or so, I'll give it a couple of shots of ether, starts right up.
Click to expand...
^^Basically what I do with portable generators^^
My mowers don't get put away long down here …
 
I only use it to verify spark is present in a gas engine I'm troubleshooting.

My ol 68 John Deere 3020 Diesel, came from the factory with a screw on cab mounted can that runs directly into the intake manifold. I installed an electric block heater in her though as she doesn't have glow plugs and if it is below 40 you'll know it.
 
If I wanted to sell more of my high profit starting fluid I would recommend you use it every time. It is not needed except with some CV carbs mostly on Italian and British cars and old Datsun 240Z
 
Snagglefoot said:
Also, once there is some heat in the combustion chamber ( provided by burning starter fluid) it will help vaporize crappy year old gas enough for it to combust.
Click to expand...
Yes, exactly this. Crappy year old E10 gas.

Of note, this spring I had used ethanol free gas the prior season and it started in February on the 2nd pull, no starting fluid necessary.
 
Keep enough gas that will last you for three months. Add some Sabil or Seafoam to the fuel and call it a day. I had starting issues on a power washer for the past two years. Had to use starting fluid every time i used it. Granted i used it 4-5 times a year. Replaced the carb and added fresh gas. Purrs like a kitten.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
Volvo iShift Transmission Oil - The Saga
Replies
4
Views
3K
4WD
S
New-To-Me 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4
Replies
14
Views
2K
SwedishDiesel
brages
Intermittent (?) dead battery
Replies
9
Views
2K
JeffKeryk
M
A week with a 2021 BMW X3e (hybrid)
Replies
10
Views
1K
edyvw
CarbonSteel
2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport (Father/Son Project)
3 4 5
Replies
86
Views
10K
IndyFan
Back
Top Bottom