long term effects of using ether to start diesel engines

I've seen many postings that using ether to quick start a diesel engine may cause multiple issues with the engine but the worst I've seen is; you'll most likely need to use ether everytime. Is there a more negitive possibility as in motor failure?
 

When used correctly there is no long term effect.

When over done, it can cause engine damage.


If an engine is low on compression, either will only last so long till the compression is so low, nothing will help it short of an overhaul..

If bad pump or injectors. they will only get worse with or without either.
 
As stated below, it's perfectly safe when used in moderation, just like many things in life, like say wine. The factory installed ether injection systems on many different machines, but if you looked closely at them, the ether was metered through a hole so small you could barely see it. That, and they were usually wired so that you could only inject during cranking. This made ether damage using a factory system virtually impossible.

Engines damaged by ether become "ether addicts". Broken rings lower compression, requiring even more ether to get an engine started.
 
I'm no diesel expert by any stretch of the imagination, but....
Older engines had ether injection systems. They did not have glow plugs.
Glow plugs and ether mixed can cause instant engine failure.
You may get more relevant answers if the guys knew what
type/year/model of tractor you were referring to.
 
It is said the using it can cause an addiction to if just like drug. Is it true I do not know but I have seen more then one engine that will not start well with out a shot of starting fluid
 
I don't know but I have 2 Oliver's that will not start the first time in a day without a wif of ether. After there started and warmed up you can restart them the rest of the day without it. Bandit
 
I have a 3000 and I've been tempted my times to try a little ether when the temp is below 30. Mine will usually start by pushing the excess fuel button on my Simms injector pump but only after I think the battery is about to die. It causes me to "plan" when I use the tractor to feed hay. Fortunately in Central Texas we have very times when our temp is sub 30 for days on end. I know I can add a heating element which would probably solve that issue but have often wondered if a shot of ether would be that bad.

Any advice on how one should administer the ether? If at all.
 
Any diesel made in the 50's will need either to
start it cold. Most had glow plugs or a
mainafold heater like my Allis.

Most tractors that old the plugs or heater
onlonger work.

I have been starting my 1957 Allis wd45 diesel
with either since 1974. The key is not to give
it too much. I remove the plug in the intake
manifold and then just let the either drip off
the nozzle. If your engine makes knocking
sounds when you start it. your giving it too
much.
 

You use the words "quick start" as if using ether is a short cut to something time consuming. I had a 2003 International 5900i with a C-15 Caterpillar, with a factory installed ether feed system. If ether were that bad would Caterpillar allow the installation of the system? Of course not! As is said here many times every year, ether is perfectly OK when used properly, and is better for the engine than repeated washing down of the cylinder walls with lots of unturned fuel.
 
thanks for all the input, I think I understand the general use of ether if needed. I have a 77 ford diesel 3600 tractor that came with some property I bought and I'm on the freshman end of how everything works. I have not had the chance to see if it has glow plugs or a thermostart so I'll crank it up to 5 times before giving it a blast of ether from the drivers seat, so it's a minimal shot. The phrase "quick start" may have been an inappropriate term, lets say "start assist". thanks for all the feedback
 
I don't often use the stuff but when I do, I do it like this fellow did.

<iframe width="660" height="515" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Us-3Df1l3C0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Don't use when another starting aid is in use; glow plugs, Ford
slobber starter (Thermostart). As Ultra said, some violent
compression changes occur when used which can be disasterous.

The old wives tale about becoming addicted it just poppycock. The
addiction is low compression due to worn out rings which get worse
as time goes by making more and more starting fluid necessary to
get the heat necessary to light off the diesel in cold weather.

Mark
 
(quoted from post at 18:06:43 01/14/15) Don't use when another starting aid is in use; glow plugs, Ford
slobber starter (Thermostart). As Ultra said, some violent
compression changes occur when used which can be disasterous.

The old wives tale about becoming addicted it just poppycock. The
addiction is low compression due to worn out rings which get worse
as time goes by making more and more starting fluid necessary to
get the heat necessary to light off the diesel in cold weather.

Mark

X2
 
On what your tractor may have. Assuming your tractor is very
similar to a 4600, do a couple of things and you may not have to
use it. Regardless, put the throttle half way to full on. You can
adjust it to your suiting, preferable around 1000 rpm after the
engine lights off.

1. Follow the air inlet hose from the air filter to the input of the
intake manifold. Look on the back of the manifold...about 2" on
down the casting for a plug about 1" hex nut, with a small steel
(fuel) line and an electrical wire going to it. If you have such this
is your thermostart.

You energize the function (detailed in #2) and in doing so the
electrical wire applies 12v to a coil of wire which gets red hot.
This coil surrounds a thermally sensitive valve that unseats when
heated allowing diesel to dribble down on the coil and it ignites.

These slobbering fire balls are sucked into the cylinders and light
off the diesel generating enough combustion to get the engine
to run on it's own.

2. On your tractor, if like my 4600, you turn the key from OFF to
ON where the red dashboard lights for charge and oil pressure
illuminate. Continuing on towards the START position, about
half way there the lights go out.

When they do you are on the Thermostart activate portion of the
switch. Keep the key in that position for a period of time
depending on the temperature. No less than 30 seconds
regardless as you have to give the coil time to get hot and the
fuel to start dribbling.

Continue to rotate the key and the lights will come back on and
the starter will energize. Hold it in the start position for at least
20 or 30 seconds max giving time for the engine to catch. If it
doesn't back to the TS position, let it heat for another minute
and repeat. If you are above 20 degrees F and this doesn't light
her off your compression may be too low and you will need
ether. However, as others have stated use sparingly and don't
pause at the TS position. Roll straight from the ON to the START
without stopping.

Mark
 
thanks for that detailed description for the thermostart and the video link as a guide and everyone's input. It's great to have you share your experience and expertise with those that need some help. I've ordered my IT manuals for the ford 3600 and look forward to learning all about it. I see so many posts refering to how hard the diesel tractors are to start in the cold winters. Mine is up in Chino Valley, Az which can get down into the "teens" in the winter:) and I normally only use it in the summer when it's maybe 45 degrees on a cold day. So obviously the cold isn't an issue. HA! I know, most of you are shaking your head, what a wuss. It's true, that's why I'm in Arizona!
 

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