Starting fluid

[denniskaney]

i have used starting fluid in the past, but will no longer use. What signs will I see, or what can I investigate to assure I have not induced any damage into my engine?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Starting fluid

If it still idles well, youre OK.

 

[fseventy]

Re: Starting fluid

Somebody help me understand why using starting fluid is so bad. I understand the fluid also acts as a solvent to dilute the oil in the fuel mixture, but my mind can not comprehend that it would "wash the oil away" and destroy the rings. Starting any NON pre-lubed 4 stroke seems comparable to me (lack of lubrication) to using starting fluid in a 2 stroke?!?! I guess maybe it's because the oil is already dliuted in the fuel mixture a significant amount compared to a 4 stroke.<br /><br />I guess I should test by coating a sheet of steel with 50:1 and give it different timed shots of starting fluid to see what happens. <br /><br />The only concevable way I could see this as a problem is if you sprayed starting fluid into the carbs for five seconds or more while someone else is cranking the engine. <br /><br />I got my boat from my father-in-law and he told me to give the carbs a quick spray of the stuff (less than 1 second: just tap the spray nozzle and release quickly) before firing it up. I've come to realize the reason he had to do this is the engine was full of carbon. After decarbonizing with Sea Foam, I have not had to use the starting fluid. Engine has good compression: 140 to 150 PSI in an 1975 135hp Johnson.

 

[alden135]

Re: Starting fluid

Joe Reeves, Paul Moir, Dhadley and dozens of others on this site probabally have hundreds of years of combined outboard motor experiance. All I can say is if they say not to use it, there is a good reason for it. If, after your tests you come to a different conclusion than by all means post back as it will make for a lively thread.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Starting fluid

If you spray starting fluid into a 4 stroke it will go into the combustion chanber only and burn. In a 2 stroke the incoming fuel/oil charge is what lubricates the crank and rod bearings as well at the rings, so even though you are burning it, before it goes into the combustion chamber to burn it is breaking down your lubrication on everything else before it gets there. A 4 stroke's oil sump is never touched by anything going through the carbs or valves( except eventually by some blow by) and therefore it always has lubrication no matter what you spray through the carbs and into the combustion chanber. A 2 stroke is a whole different animal and is different than 4 stroke in more ways than people think.

 

[JB]

Re: Starting fluid

Beyond the washing away of lube, ether presents a detonation risk. It is very explosive.<br /><br />If it detonates in a pull start engine it will break something and/or snatch the starter's arm out of its socket. In an electric start engine it can, and often does, shear the flywheel key.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Starting fluid

If you need something to spray in the carburetor to get an engine started, use the same premixed fuel you use to run it.<br /><br />I use an empty Windex bottle for this purpose. I have a balky Sea King 5hp motor that will eventually get a carb kit put in it. In the meantime, I can always start it with a spray of premix in the carb throat.<br /><br />If the premix won't work, then the problem is one that starter fluid won't help, frankly.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Starting fluid

Do a CATransplant advices, It will work as well as anything in a spray can. I don't see starting fluid breaking down the lube, as you would really have to get heavy handed to wash down internal parts. If it blow's back, and ignites, you could be short some eye brows', and arm hair.

 

[kevin500]

Re: Starting fluid

 

[kevin500]

Re: Starting fluid

Starting fluid is WAY too dangerous to use. We tried a small shot on our 350 Chev in our race car, racing in Sept., no choke, figured it needed help. Figured it would not hurt.<br />Until the head lifted off the block, I thought it was okay. Not the first time that happened either, according to other racers. Combustion like you would not believe. I would only use starting fluid if I was intentionally trying to grenade an engine, or if it had some really high performance parts in it. Use gas/oil mix, if it won't start on that, it needs fixing.

 

[SthrnSldr]

Re: Starting fluid

If you must use starting fluid at all, (which I am not recomending), then spray some on a cotton cloth and hold the cloth over the air intake so that the ether mixes lightly with fresh air. Start with just a very small amt and increase gradually until you get a smooth start. This will help ensure that you are not using any more that you need, and will reduce the chances of harming your engine. This will also work on other Internal Combustion Engines.