starting fluid

[regalpainter]

does starting fluid damage a deisel engine?

[Rob]

i wouldnt use it, it has a different flash point than diesel and may cause damage.

[westcoaststrokin]

From what I have read use ether or WD40.

[J0hnny]

Ether can cause a BIG damage, I wouldn't use it unless it's QUITE necessary, WD40 works better since it is more like diesel fuel...

[Dave]

ether and glow plugs dont mix use wd40 or something

[Logan]

Go with the WD40

[regalpainter]

thanks guys......... my morning starts are impossible, but the truck can sit for hours there after and then start ?! any ideas?

[StarDriver]

Ether won't damage a diesel if used properly, BUT if you have glow plugs, DON'T use ether, you'll might be testing your head bolt's strength or your hood latch.

We used ether on our farm tractors all the time and it never damaged an engine.

Here are a few safety items to remember when using ether.

1. Remember, it is very volatile, don't smoke and beware of sparks.
2. IF possible, have a person help you when starting the vehicle, have one person start the engine, when it is turning over, shoot a small shot of ether in the air intake. Once it has started, DO NOT shoot any more ether into the engine, this is when you can damage an engine.
3. Remember, if the glow plugs aren't disconnected, don't use ether. I heard of someone in the 80's tried to use ether on their diesel engine with glow plugs and it blew the cylinder heads off of the engine.

Myself, I've never heard of using WD-40 as starting fluid, it may work but remember, you'll be leaving an oily residue in your turbo and intercooler.

[Diesel Freak]

I WOULD NOT USE ON MY RIG. SOME DIESEL ENGINS BECOME ADDICTED TO ETHER!!
TOO COMBUSTIONABLE FOR ME!!! WD-40 MUCH SAFER!! A GAS RAG OVER THE INTAKE FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY.....JUST FOR A SLIGHT SNIFF

[alberta 7.3]

Ether+powerstroke glowplugs=bad news.
A former employer of mine (who I am still friends with) has 2 97's. One day his kid fogged the stock intake snorkel with ether, jumped in and cranked it. The resulting explosion destroyed the airbox and set the filter on fire. Regalpainter, I'm not sure of you're diesel expertise, but when the intake valve opens, ether laiden air contacts the glow plug, possibly causing a severe backfire through the intake. I'd seriously look into glow plug issues for your hard starts, ie: bad glow plug relay, burt out glow plugs.