Starting MF 85 Diesel

I am looking at a MF 85 diesel and the guy says it needs ether to start, even in warm weather. He told me that all those Continental diesels of that time frame needed ether to start and it was normal for those engines. From my understanding of diesels ,I thought that if they need ether to start in warm waether , this indicates a lack of compression or possible ring problems. Also I read that it is not good for the engine to start them all the timme on ether. Am I correct?

From what I saw of the tractor, it seem to run good and has no blue smoke. Afte it warms up, it does not need ether to start.

Did you see any smoke, or oil coming out the crank case vent?

No blue smoke when it runs. It only has 4900 hours.

The 85 HD 277 Continental NEEDS the intake heater OR ether to start when cold. I've had two in years past and they both started hard cold. Use the Thermostart intake heater about 15 seconds and if engine is in good shape it will start. DO NOT use the intake heater AND ether TOGETHER, use ONLY one for cold starts.

I read that that starting all the time on ether will damage the engine? I read this

A starting fluid can be used in a diesel engine when, and only when the manufacturer explicitly states that it is safe to use. You'll find that the only engines in which starting fluid is deemed acceptable (or is even required as a cold starting aid) are those produced scores ago. These engines do not utilize glow plugs and have relatively low compression ratios, thus the mechanics described above do not necessary apply in their entirety. The practice of using starting fluids to start a diesel engine in cold weather was abandoned decades ago, and modern engines are highly likely to be damaged due to detonation.

Put down the starting fluid and don’t ignore the underlying reasons why an engine is difficult to start in cold weather. Always use the engine block heater per the manufacturers recommendations and properly service/repair your engine for easy starting in any temperature. Starting fluid is strictly prohibited in all Power Stroke, 5.9L/6.7L Cummins, 6.6L Duramax, International IDI, and 6.2L/6.5L GM/Detroit diesel engines as indicated in their respective owner’s manuals.

This post was edited by chas036 on 11/22/2022 at 09:49 am.

I would take Dieseltech's word over anyone else's! Some diesels are just flat hard to start like the Kubota engine in my 743B Bobcat, even on a 70-80 degree day you have to use the glow plugs on the first start in the morning.