Starting fluid ?

[scesnick]

It is super cold here in the winter so I almost have to use starting fluid if I ever want to use my tractors snowblower.
I have heard that it will hurt diesels and then I have heard it is fine to use. Any thoughts on which is the actual truth??

 

[cwarrix]

Hi scesnick, I would not use starting fluid on my Yanmar 2210. I've heard from a lot of people, on this board, and elsewhere that it is very bad for your diesel. Perhaps there is another way to help get it started in cold weather like a block heater. My tractor (I just discovered) has a decompression lever that I can use for cold starts. I flip the lever so it cranks very fast and easy until the oil light goes off (another tip from this board) and then flip the lever back. After that I give it a little more throttle than normal and start it up and back the throttle down quickly as to not idle it up too fast. I'm not sure if it's necessary or not, but I then let it warm up for a few minutes before I use it. That's just my $.02 worth, I'm sure others can add on here.

Welcome to TBN, you will find a ton of useful and entertaining stuff here. It's a nice place to hang out. BTW - you may want to update your profile to indicate what part of the country you are from. Sometimes this helps others to answer questions that might vary depending on your region.

Good Luck!

 

[ym2610]

HI scesnick, cwarrix is right from what I have heard too, my dad drove big trucks and always told never use it, if you use it once you will use it on it the rest of its life, its like a drug for diesels, they get addicted. some people on here will probably say I'm wrong, but thats what I know about it. like cwarrix said I would try a block heater, I read the other day you can buy one that goes in the radiator hose, and also I would start it go inside and let it get good and warm before use, being a diesel it won't burn much fuel at a idle, probably use more on start up. but this is my 5 cents worth, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif welcome to TBN....Robert

 

[pruntyc]

If you want to blow up the motor, then you can use it. A diesel, has so much compression, they can explode real easy with starting fluid. Also if you want to use it, I would get a good insurance policy, to bury you. Block heaters it the only safe way to go. If you must use starting fluid, get rid of the diesel and get a gas rig. That way you will be able to use it and not get killed. I'm not trying to be smart or funny, just want you to know, how much trouble you are letting yourself in for.

 

[oliver28472]

From what I've read here at TBN, ether will round off the top of the edge of the compression rings. That's what causes the addiction. Also, if Yanmar pistons are anything like Satohs or Mitsubishis (thin tops), ether will break the piston tops. Google satohparts.com and look at an engine ruined by ether in the photos. I have a Satoh and a Mitsubishi. Both have glow plugs and start fine with no ether.

 

[kenmac]

Like has been said. Try Block heater or try different wt. oil, synthetic oil seems to help sometimes with cold start problems. I believe some have said you can get a kit to splice into lower rad. hose for heater

 

[lens12]

Don't use ether on a Yanmar. with precombustion chambers or any tractor with glow plugs. On some diesels it is all right to use. Many tractors & combines have an ether attachment that limits the mount of ether

 

[HGM]

DONT USE IT........

It is far more volitile than diesel fuel. The best way I have found to describe it is that the more you use it, the more you need it. The engine gets "addicted to it".. The volitle explosion will cause excessive wear on your rings and sealing surfaces. This will in effect lower your compression and make starting harder. If you absoloutly must use something, WD-40 works, but I like the heater and decompression lever recomendations much better..

 

[normde2001]

Have you used your "thermostart" system?

 

[JerryG]

Starting fluid is something that has to be used in moderation. A little goes a long way. That is where nearly all of the problems and horror storys get started, with people over doing it. There are designs of engines that one should never use it in such as engines with glow plugs, but there are many that can use it.