Opinion time: Ether or not?

Molineone · Apr 11, 2008

I have heard a lot of opinions on wether ether is harmful or not to diesel engines. I figured this was a good location for a few more. Fire away!

Anonymous-0 · Apr 11, 2008

Well it is obvious that the newer starting fluids are not as abusive as the old straight ether, now take something very oily or greasy and spray starting fluid on it...it is one of the best portable parts cleaners available...now picture this going on inside of your engine. In my opinion if you have no other way then use it, but for me it is last resort. My 2 cents worth

LW · Apr 11, 2008

Silicone spray works good and the engine won't hammer may not be"strong" enough if your somewhere really cold but it works good and I only use it if I absolutely have to and I despise ether.

MnM44 · Apr 11, 2008

I would despise ether to if I lived where a cold snap was 35 degrees.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 12, 2008

I usually just read all these discussions but I will interject here, I worked years for a fella who had an M602 Dizel and 2 things were required, no ether and oil changed every 100 eng hrs. That tractor lived over 9000 hrs to its first overhaul and has 6000 hrs on that rebuild. It feeds cows everyday. It has a block heater and under 45 she is plugged in, a much better choice I would say

LW · Apr 12, 2008

Your not very accurate there. In 2002 we had 30 inches of snom from one strom and it didn't get above 14deg. for 7 days. It does happen but not like you get it.There calling for below freezing tuesday morning lets hope it doesn't the peaches have already budded out.

Molineone · Apr 13, 2008

Thanks for the thoughts! Up here in MN, she gets a bit nipply and things gets difficult to start and small expolsions need to happen somehow. I guess I am still wondering why ether is so bad? Is it because it burns so hot (hotter than diesel) on a cold piston/cyinder that it causes too much additional wear and tear? I guess heres where I need the education and not the opinion. Thanks again!

Molineone · Apr 13, 2008

I like the oily parts cleaner, I can buy that. Thanks.

Moline_guy · Apr 13, 2008

I think either is kind of like alcohol, if used in moderation no harm done and it gets the job done. :=)

Old, low compression, worn out diesels need a little nudge when its cold.

LenND · Apr 13, 2008

Starting fluid works great and won't hurt anything if used sparingly. Years ago we got some new White trucks with Prekins diesels in them and when it got around 20 below you had to use starting fluid plus engine heaters on all night. These were new trucks but they didn't have new engines very long. Ether scored the insides from too much use.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 14, 2008

I use it when needed. I don't get carryed away with it,only a tiny squrt.If it's so cold a tiny squrt will not do it,then it's to cold to be out side anyway.

utupuller · Apr 14, 2008

I used to work for a moline collector in MN and any diesel MM would have a can of ether in the tool box. I came to know molines through him and need less to say I cant picture a MM diesel with out a can. But like others said it only takes a little squirt.

yonson · Apr 14, 2008

Ether is a very strong solvent & will wash the lube off cylinder walls potentially leaving them in danger of scoring when using too much at a time. On a related note, years ago an old timer told me about an incident back in the '40's when he worked as a welder for a construction outfit here in Minnesota. In the winter when it got really cold, the gas engine on their power shovel was hard to start so they would have him do it as he had figured out a way by putting a quick shot of acetylene in a couple cylinders thru the spark plug holes. One cold morning his young assistant volunteered to start the engine. A short time later there was a loud noise and my friend went out to check. The young guy had put a big shot in all six cylinders and blew the side of the engine off. True or not, makes a good story! RW

Anonymous-0 · Apr 15, 2008

I live in Canada and have installed electric manifold pre heaters from the a4t series into other tractors including the MF 97/G 706 down to the UB diesel.As long as the manifold has a provision for a pre heater and many do.I keep good batteries fully charged and a good starter and I have eliminated the need for either starter fluid.

Just my 2 cents

Eric

carvel minne farmer · Aug 22, 2017

good evening john here, I have a very good diesel mechanic and he uses brake clean in place of either for staring cold engines up here in alberta Canada -40 is not unheard of! and it do's not have the explosive nature of either, I've tried it and it works great! another trick I use on my 59 310b case gas is put a magnetic pan heater on the oil pan and then put a trouble light with a 100 watt bulb behind the carb up under the manifold and leave it on during the winter months. I've gone out in -35 hit the key and gone out plowing snow! but with no trouble light and pan heater, if a kid walks by with an icecream cone it won't start!! if you've ever burnt your hand on the trouble light guard you'll know the kind of heat they produce. just a couple of tricks we use up here in the cold white north :wink:

Opinion time: Ether or not?

Molineone

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Anonymous-0

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LW

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MnM44

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Anonymous-0

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LW

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Molineone

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Molineone

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Moline_guy

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LenND

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Anonymous-0

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utupuller

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yonson

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Anonymous-0

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carvel minne farmer

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