yeah I have always been taught that the immediate explosive action of ether in a diesel engine can cause damage to rings and connecting rods, on the other hand my old man has used ether in his 7.3 when it was necessary for ten years and truck just rolled over 300,000 miles and still kickin, im not givin you any do's or dont's just tellin you my experience, I dont use it on my truck unless that's the only other option

 

If the glow plugs are DISABLED, a small shot is not likely to cause any damage.


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It won't harm it. Lots of equipment came from the factory with a Hot Shot ether system plumbed into the intake. 671 Detroits in road graders, air compressors, etc, comes to mind.

 

I thought alot of older diesel tractors came with a ether canister as well. I have a older massey tractor with no GPs or block heater and it wont start in winter without a small ether shot. I hear alot of poeple say ether isnt ment for diesels, but I dont see any other way to start older diesel equipment. I dont know anybody knowedgable on diesels, so all my info comes from this site. Always great advive/info. Appreciated as always.

 

The important thing is to know when to use it and how much to use. If in doubt, use less. If I have to get a DT466 or 8V71 going, I give it a 3-4 second spray right in the air cleaner or onto the filter element, then hit the start switch. For smaller engines I might only use a 1/2 second spray. If it cranks and suddenly wheezes to an abrupt stop you've used too much. It can get behind the rings and crack them when it lights off. I've seen a Perkins diesel that had starting fluid used too often and the cracked rings made these cool windshield wiper arc shapes in the ring grooves and cylinder walls because they kept running it on 3 cylinders. I use it only as a last resort.

A lot of our equipment has an automatic system like LMJD mentioned. There's an electric solenoid valve that gives the shot, with a temp switch that closes around 40F to complete the ground. I modified one using a turn signal flasher to give repeated small shots rather than just staying open for as long as the start button was held down.

 

The immediate danger is that if ether encounters a hot glowplug it can ignite. Depending on the location of the piston at that time it may try to rotate backwards halfway through a combustion cycle even though the crankshaft is turning the opposite way. This could theoretically result in a bent rod or possibly a broken crankshaft.

 

Yep, if you're going to use starting fluid in a diesel with glow plugs either disable the system, or turn the key on then go have a cup of coffee. When you're done you'll know the plugs are definitely cold.

 

I work on big trucks and some of the trucks in the fleet are early to mid 2000 models with Detroit Series 60 engines, they have a auto ether system plumbed into the intake mainfold

My personal truck I use a very small amount of ether to start my truck in the moring before work, I know I need new olives on the ard line from the filter to the IP but other than that my truck starts just fine.

 

Only safe way to use ether with it not plumbed in. Is to have a person spraying while the engine is turning over. And only about 3% of engine volume. I have seen it damage 6.9 ford glow plugs easily when sprayed in when They are going out.


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I either start mine twice a day, Once to go to work and once to come home. Doesn't seem to bother her