Learned what ether lock is

[dagofast]

So when it was -20 out and we had 14'' of snow i headed to the barn to fire up the Kubota and push some snow. First off i saw 165ft of three foot snow banks blocking the path from the barn to the driveway. I shoveled a path through all of it just wide enough to fit the tractor. Once i made it to the barn I attempted to start the Kubota. It didn't start and the battery died. (original battery from 03.) I attached the charger and had a beer while i waited. The beer froze. I attempted cranking the engine again. Sounds like battery is good at this point but still no smoke. I remember, "there's a little port at end of the air cleaner housing for ether!". I know what to do know after all i've seen many youtube videos. So I tried to spray some ether into the port. Ether can is frozen so no fine mist from the can. Just a dribble of starting fluid. Hmm, can too cold...need heat...put can under halogen work light to warm up. Revisit tractor to further asses situation and wonder if i can drink another beer fast enough to prevent beer from freezing. During this process I decided it would be best to remove air filter to allow a more.....suffecient?...copious? amount of ether to enter the combustion chamber. So I grab the can of starting fluid, hit the glow plugs for 10sec, crank the engine and spray the ether simultaniously. I hear crank crank thud. Engine stops. "oh ****". Instantly i remember the close piston tolerances and high compression ratio of a diesel. I wait, and wait. Then start turning the key to crank quickly to try and force the ether somewhere other than where it currently is. After several cycles of trying to crank an ether locked engine...i tried the beer thing. It worked. Went back to the tractor, prob 10 min later, and it fired up and sounded fine. As it warmed up...i threw out the starting fluid.

 

[wmonroe]

Using ether and glow plugs is a very bad idea, sounds like you might have got just enough ether in there to temporarily lock up the engine. I would avoid using ether and cycle the glow plugs a second time if necessary, with a new battery.

 

[Recoveryhill]

Providing ether to a Kubota diesel engine is like a lethal injection. It's like lobbing a grenade into the combustion chamber. "I want to kill you engine...take this".

-20 starts require proper fuel (winter additives), a strong battery, healthy glow plugs and a block heater if your oil has turned to peanut butter. I know...funny advice to be receiving from the Virgin Islands, but take my word for it. Throw the ether away unless you have plans for a do it yourself appendectomy.

 

[Egon]

Ever consider a block heater?

 

[TexasBoy]

So when it was -20 out and we had 14'' of snow i headed to the barn to fire up the Kubota and push some snow.

I sure dont know how you guys handle that really cold weather. This Texakin wouldnt survive !

 

[Tx Jim]

I sure dont know how you guys handle that really cold weather. This Texakin wouldnt survive !

AMEN BUDDY them Yankee's are a lot tougher than this old man.

 

[Tx Jim]

Providing ether to a Kubota diesel engine is like a lethal injection. It's like lobbing a grenade into the combustion chamber. "I want to kill you engine...take this".

-20 starts require proper fuel (winter additives), a strong battery, healthy glow plugs and a block heater if your oil has turned to peanut butter. I know...funny advice to be receiving from the Virgin Islands, but take my word for it. Throw the ether away unless you have plans for a do it yourself appendectomy.

Yep ether sprayed in a glow plug type engine is looking for an explosion!!!!!!!

 

[creekbend]

I agree with the others. The methods used by the OP are dangerous to both Limb and Machine. attn#OP- Please get an Operator's Manual for your make and model.

 

[cqaigy2]

Thanks for posting your cautionary tale.:thumbsup:

I agree with you Texakins, that's some cold weather!

 

[zzvyb6]

As I recall, mine says to hold glow plugs on for 20 seconds. In past years, I was using 'Off Road' diesel from a station south of Howell. THAT needed glow plug assisted starting all the time.

Now I use 'On Road diesel' from a station close by. Even in this -5F weather, I don't need the glow plug assist. It fires on all 4 in 2 revs. I'm assuming it's a winter blend for car owners.

 

[OldGerald]

Good story teller. At least the "beer thing" worked as expected! I keep my block heater plugged in when we get a cold snap. No problem then.

 

[Gunny]

Those foam "coozie" things will also help keep your beer from freezing that quickly. I'd rather have my butt backed up next to the wood stove while enjoying that cold beer while I'm waiting for the battery charger to do it's thing!

Glad your engine came out OK, I don't even own any ether since I might be tempted to use it in that same situation

 

[ishiboo]

Providing ether to a Kubota diesel engine is like a lethal injection. It's like lobbing a grenade into the combustion chamber. "I want to kill you engine...take this".

-20 starts require proper fuel (winter additives), a strong battery, healthy glow plugs and a block heater if your oil has turned to peanut butter. I know...funny advice to be receiving from the Virgin Islands, but take my word for it. Throw the ether away unless you have plans for a do it yourself appendectomy.

Amen.

You can also throw a kero/diesel/LP heater right in front and warm it up in about 30 minutes where it starts easily if you are having problems.

I used to have a fire truck with a big Cummins, only way in winter to start it was to throw the turbo heater on it for a few hours before it was time to go!

 

[kevin37b]

Amen.

You can also throw a kero/diesel/LP heater right in front and warm it up in about 30 minutes where it starts easily if you are having problems.

I used to have a fire truck with a big Cummins, only way in winter to start it was to throw the turbo heater on it for a few hours before it was time to go!

Did customers need to call in advance ?

 

[SPYDERLK]

As I recall, mine says to hold glow plugs on for 20 seconds. In past years, I was using 'Off Road' diesel from a station south of Howell. THAT needed glow plug assisted starting all the time.

In the glow plug key position on the BX1500 if you listen carefully youll hear a soft click every 5 sec or so. Thats the glow plugs cycling on/off. Go for START immediately after a click. ... I find it works best that way.
larry

 

[Tx Jim]

dagofast
Just because your tractor started & ran after ether dissipated doesn't indicate that no damage was done to top piston ring and piston ring land. I wish you the best.

 

[xring100]

My first thought after reading kubota, ether, and glow plugs in the same sentence was oh my that poor engine

 

[ccsial]

Did customers need to call in advance ?

Only the arsonists.

 

[RaydaKub]

Glow plugs are usually (always?) installed in the intake manifold outside the cylinder. If that is where you want the combustion to take place then go ahead and spray ether into the intake...

 

[timswi]

While I can't believe he used ether/starting fluid on a diesel ....You have to admit that was some compelling story telling right there.:drink: