Ether option

[Kodiak45]

I was at the local jd dealer yesterday talking to the service manager about older tractors and so forth. He told me about a hot tip on firing up a tough starting tractor by using an oxygen tank rather than using starting fluid. I've never heard of this and I don't think it makes sense. He said that oxygen is much more flammable than ether and it works great. If it's much more flammable than wouldn't that increase the chance of blowing the engine up, plus no lubrication properties. Please chime in...

 

[Gordon Gould]

I know from my O/A torch experience you can start a fire just by squirting straight oxygen from the torch on some grease.
I don't think I would try it w/o a more knowledgeable recommendation and it sounds expensive compared to ether based starting fluid.

 

[Looking4new]

I think that more research is needed before I used O2

 

[SimS]

I have seen acetylene used to start spark engines. Maybe the oxygen's natural combustion with oil is helping the diesel combustion. Oxygen by itself is not flammable but with fuel watch out!

SimS

 

[Looking4new]

I've seen gasoline fumes used in the place of ether to start diesels. The ones without glow plugs, of course.

 

[CobyRupert]

FYI:
Normally, air (that we & machines breath) is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Plus some water vapor (depending).
It's only the oxygen that is used for combustion.
It would seem that using 100% oxygen is like packing in 5 times the amount of oxygen that is in normal air.

 

[buickanddeere]

Oxygen does not burn, it is an oxidizer.
As previously stated if the O2 concentration is high enough . Oil will oxidize fast enough to beat up and burst into flame.
Combustion chamber heat will be higher than during combustion with atmospheric air.

 

[Mace Canute]

I'd be worried about an increase in the oxygen in the cylinders causing it to ignite way prematurely and forcing a rather expensive kickback. I've seen that happen with just a foolish amount of advance being used by a fool who thought he knew how to "tune by ear"...blew the starter nose off and wrecked the bendix. It could cause a lot more damage than that, too.

 

[zmansmac]

Although I've never had an occasion to use it, my son in law, who used to be a U Haul mechanic, told me he uses brake cleaner for a starting fluid. He said it works better and he always has some around.

 

[Coyote machine]

Hey, why not Nitrogen or Helium?!:confused2: Or rocket fuel, or depleted Uranium?:shocked:

 

[skyhook]

What about one of those heavy duty farts into the air cleaner.lol

 

[jenkinsph]

I use ether based starting fluid for older diesels without air heating chambers or glow plugs. WD-40 for diesels with glow plugs. Carb and choke cleaner for gas engines with carbs. All three are cheap and readily available products so don't see the need to search for anything else.

 

[dieselcrawler]

We use brake cleaner at work... on small gas motors, (generators, trash pumps, etc) when in the shop for repairs. Seems to work well enough, and we always have it around.

 

[Looking4new]

I once knew an older guy whose gasoline powered lawn mower was so worn out that to start it he had to use ether. Every time.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I use ether based starting fluid for older diesels without air heating chambers or glow plugs. WD-40 for diesels with glow plugs. Carb and choke cleaner for gas engines with carbs. All three are cheap and readily available products so don't see the need to search for anything else.

^^ This is exactly what I use also. Ether starting fluid for diesel and carb cleaner for gas.

One time I tried gasoline fumes from a damp rag held near the air breather on my dozer because some recommend it over ether starting fluid. It worked fine but seemed to be much rougher on the motor so I stick with the ether. My cummins motor has a factory installed ether injector built into it as the only cold starting aid.

 

[Egon]

Hey; I had one of those! Had to be careful when pulling the cord so as not to rip it off.