Starting dozer with ether

[stathamj]

I was wanting to get opinions on starting a dozer with ether. I don't have one yet . But, I'm looking for one. I personally don't like using it. But know of others who use it religiously mostly one farm tractors. I don't know anyone personally that owns any heavy equipment. But I think it's hard on the engine. But, by no means am I an expert on it. So, I was just wondering about every ones thoughts on this. I have seen people use this on their farm tractors all the time in the winter or they wouldn't start. But, I always thought this was due to poor maintenance. I'm not trying to get a feud started. Just trying to find out what the consensus is here.

Happy Thanksgiving

James

 

[Coyote machine]

Voids warranty on most tractors, probably on dozers too. Lots of people do stupid things and many also slack on maintenance to. If you have to use ether to start a diesel something is wrong, IMHO. YMMV.

 

[jaotguy]

only on really cold days (-40) and you just can't get it to start ... it's a 2 person job ...
one to crank the motor, one to squirt it in the intake AFTER the motor is cranking ( while the engine is spinning )

squirting first , then cranking is a sure fire way of bending connecting rods

as said earlier , if you have problems starting , it's time to check things ( or at least get a block heater )

 

[stuckmotor]

Don't some tractors have a port near the ignition made for squirting ether into?

 

[DT86]

Don't some tractors have a port near the ignition made for squirting ether into?

Yes, some some older ones do.

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks, DT86. I thought I'd seen one or two.

 

[stuckmotor]

The manual for my Massey 261 cautions against using ether on engines with thermostart. It says severe engine damage will result. Thermostart seems to be what they call the glowplug setup on the Perkins engine.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

In theory ether would seem to be "no-no" as it can cause very early ignition in the compresion cycle among other things. However, growing up my family had a Case 450 dozer and a small Timber Jack loader that ran a 4 cyl. Detroit Diesel. It had a built-in provision for using ether, a bottle mounted on the side of the unit that allowed the user to inject either using a button inside the cab to aid in starting. It was never maintained so family members would spray a 1/4 second or so directly into the air intake. Same for the dozer. Never had a problem with it doing any damage over the course of a decade or two. I try not to use it unless I absolutely need to which has never come up with my own equipment. I've seen pictures of damaged engine components due to the misuse of ether and would rather not go there.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Don't some tractors have a port near the ignition made for squirting ether into?

You are obviously referring to gasoline engine tractors. But to answer your question, NO!

There used to be ether cold starting aid kits available, but with the advent of good jacket water and oil heaters I don't think they are available anymore.
Only an idiot uses ether on diesels anymore, IMHO. There are also diesel fueled hot air starting aids that work very well.

 

[kevinwak]

A lot of the tractors on my dads farm growing up had the push button for starting fluid, from the factory. The newest thing he has with it was a 97 case 821b wheel loader that has a cummins M11 engine. Anything newer and he won't use it.

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