The possibility of being injured when something doesn't go quite right is obviously greater.Īnd while starting fluid is indeed a solvent for lubricating, and it is a dangerous explosive solvent if used for cleaning oil off parts, the amount properly used to assist in starting an engine, is probably not enough to cause damage because of oil dilution when starting. It may do this anyway even with only gasoline.Ī hand started engine such as this forum is generally discussing is a different situation than an electricly started engine. I suspect that by the time someone decides to use starting fluid to start a balky engine, that the battery is already run down, or the hand starters arm is tired on a hand crank engine, to the the point where the starter motor (arm) cannot rotate the engine fast enough to insure that the engine will carry over adequately when it does fire, thus kicking back and belching flame out the carburetor. If you do not feel comfortable using starting fluid to help start a cold balky engine when it might reasonably be called for, then do not use it. Yes, one has to use a little common sense when doing something a little out of the ordinary like this. I still think that the potential problems that have been mentioned here have to do with using too much starting fluid. Thats why all gasoline marine engines have a back fire trap on the carburetor, and that installation on marine engines is mandated by Federal law. You can occasionally get an engine to do that anyway without resorting to starting fluid as the gasoline alone usually is sufficient. If the engine fires the starting fluid and there isn't enough momentum in the flywheel to carry the piston over top dead center, it can kick backwards and you can get a blast of flame out of the carburetor. I guess the problem with the gas engine is that they usually have the ignition take place a little before top dead center. The engine should be repaired instead.Īnd yes, the diesel engine is a different breed of machinery. On the other hand if the engine is in bad condition and/or the weather is warm, and someone is attempting to force the engine to start, then this is a bad use of starting fluid. If an engine is in otherwise good operating condition, but won't start by itself, a little starting fluid in cold weather might help. I have never had any problem starting the engine by doing it this way. I can't spray the starting fluid and pull the starter cord at the same time anyway by myself. On my little light plant, I give it a single short snort of starting fluid, then I pull the starter cord. Kid Dynamo you are right about spraying starting fluid into the carburetor while cranking the engine. ![]() Read the instructions on the can before you use it. That is where the blown engines come from. Some people operate on the principle that if a little ether starting fluid is good, then a lot more should be much better. It runs and starts fine if you leave the fuel turned on between uses. A very short snort of starting fluid will get it running in a pull or two. The next time I want to use it, maybe months later, I can turn on the fuel valve with fresh gas in the tank and you can pull the starting cord until the donkeys come home and it still won't start. It won't start easily most of the time after running it out of gas by shutting off the fuel valve when I am through using it. I also have a 10 horse 5 Kw light plant with a brand new Briggs engine. The stuff is mostly ether, and it has the ability to ignite over a wide range of fuel air mixtures besides being very flammable. ![]() I also agree with the other comments to the effect that an engine in proper condition should start easily without resorting to starting fluid. The trick is to have the engine cranking over and use only a very short squirt. ![]() I have to go into the engine room and check oil, hoses, open the through hull water valve anyway. I always have to start it in cold weather using starting fluid. Besides, I never bothered to make up the electrical connection to the glow plugs anyway. It is supposed to have glow plugs, but they are all burned out.
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