Ether

[seemynewname]

Gas and diesel are different animals when it comes to ether use, though it is best avoided in both. In a diesel the ether ignites on the compression stroke and attempts to drive the engine backwards (before the diesel would ignite at the top of the stroke). In a spark ignited engine ether ignites at the same time as the gas, just more violently.

 

[LouNY]

As has been stated on here a few times ether is a usable product, it is a viable starting fluid on some older engines.
It does need to be used as sparingly as possible, some of the older diesels with no glow plugs or manifold heaters
will not start in freezing temperatures unless towed or using a starting fluid.

As far as WD 40 it is a water disbursing spray with a light lubricating ability it is not a penetrating oil and should not be compared to them.
My shelves have starting fluid, WD, various penetrating oils, drilling and machining fluids as well as home brews for drilling and cutting
and penetrating fluids, they all have there place.

 

[seemynewname]

Has anyone even mentioned one of my primary use for WD-40? It's a great light solvent, removing adhesives, grease residue, etc. Unlike some dedicated products you don't have to worry about the surface you are using it on (though I do avoid plastic, as a 'just because' precaution)

 

[ray66v]

If you think that having WD 40 and or duct tape handy is being an inferior mechanic...it is YOUR abilities and intellect that are limited...

I know that WD-40, or duct tape to fix things is an inferior way to repair things.

If you wish to argue that, it isn't MY abilities or intellect that are limited.

 

[Tx Jim]

I been around diesel engines since the mid 1960's & I've never heard or believe this theory if starting fluid is utilized correctly. If diesel engine attempts to reverse rotation from utilizing starting fluid while attempting to get engine operating some DUMMY sprayed too much into the air intake

 

[Tx Jim]

A friend tried the gasoline soaked rag trick on a clapped out backhoe. It didn't work that time. It looked like a good way to get burned alive to me.
I 've used starting fluid for years on my lawnmower because I'm too lazy to rebuild the carb. The mower still runs.

One key to utilizing a gasoline soaked shop towel as an aid to start a diesel engine & not catch on fire is be sure to keep ones Bic lighter in pocket & no cigarette smoking allowed. Gasoline lawn mower engine has abut 1/2 the compression ratio as a diesel engine so much less chance to cause damage from utilizing starting fluid.

 

[seemynewname]

Theory? LOL
That is how starting fluid works, it ignites before the diesel is injected and preheats the combustion chamber (remember that we are talking about a very fast process here). It doesn't cause the engine to turn backwards, it doesn't have enough power to do that, but it does increase chamber pressures, something that is very finely tuned to get the best trade off between power and wear. It also puts pressure on the rings while they still traveling up the cylinder bore as opposed to the controlled diesel burn that reaches peak pressure after TDC when the rings are moving in the opposite direction. Those reasons, as well as the effects on lubrication, are why manufacturers cautioned against excessive usage even in the pre-glow plug days.

 

[/pine]

I know that WD-40, or duct tape to fix things is an inferior way to repair things.

If you wish to argue that, it isn't MY abilities or intellect that are limited.

Both WD 40 and Duct tape would be on a short list of things that are capable of making quick temporary repairs to any number of things that break, bind or fail...often when the ONLY proper "fix" is by new replacement part(s)...which may or may not be available with a possible delay...

IMO, Anyone...whether they consider themselves to be handy or mechanically inclined or not they are wise to have both handy...just plain stupid not to...

BTW...It was a good thing for the crew of Apollo 13 that the engineers at NASA had the insight to include a roll of duct tape in the emergency wares kit...

And one more thing I'll add to the short list...Super Glue...In many cases it can save you big $ and a trip to the ER to get sewed up...!

 

[MossRoad]

Both WD 40 and Duct tape would be on a short list of things that are capable of making quick temporary repairs to any number of things that break, bind or fail...often when the ONLY proper "fix" is by new replacement part(s)...which may or may not be available with a possible delay...

IMO, Anyone...whether they consider themselves to be handy or mechanically inclined or not they are wise to have both handy...just plain stupid not to...

BTW...It was a good thing for the crew of Apollo 13 that the engineers at NASA had the insight to include a roll of duct tape in the emergency wares kit...

And one more thing I'll add to the short list...Super Glue...In many cases it can save you big $ and a trip to the ER to get sewed up...!

Loctite 401 :thumbsup:

 

[ovrszd]

White lithium spray grease.