Re: Is starting fluid "addictive" for tractors?
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Posted by Jeff K on May 18, 1998 at 17:47:13:
In Reply to: Is starting fluid "addictive" for tractors? posted by Lylo on May 18, 1998 at 12:29:10:
:
: My B-275's diesel engine is cold-hearted and does not start easily unless it is plugged in for an hour or two (even in summer),
: or gets a little shot of ether. Some folks(well, my brother in law, actually!!) think it's not a good idea to use ether, even
: suggesting it is "addictive" (for tractors, silly) , as if once you start using it, your engine gets harder and harder to start without
: it...? Does ether have any cumulative negative effects on a diesel engine?
: Sorry if this is a newbie question .
: Thanks a bunch.
: Lylo
No, starting fluid is not "addictive". The hard start problem is potentially a symptom of compression starting to drop off. Makes the diesel fuel charge harder to get burning when
it is not being compressed as much. A shot of either is really volatile stuff, and actually causes an explosion in the cylinder when you try to compress it. Problem is just that,
it is an explosion, and it may be going on before the piston reaches TDC. This condition is know and predetonation and can melt or blow the top right out of a piston. Second problem
is that it is a really "dry" explosion. Diesel fuel in itself has quite a bit of lubricating properties. Either does not, and accellerates wear to the rings. So, once you make a
habit of using it, repeated use actually accelerates the wear and diminishing compression. Once and a while a shot in cold weather may be necessary, but once it needs to become common
you need to decide to keep it up and "addict" the engine or just do the rebuild. I honestly think a spray bottle of gasoline and a shot of that down the intake tube might do the trick
and not cause nearly as much wear. Best luck JPK
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