Using starting fluid (ether) in an MB diesel? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

PatricdeBoer · #31 05-08-2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

only good thing ether is good for is blowing up truck tires

............if you don't know, don't ask

Ha, the fastest and most fun way to bead a tire.

gsxr · #32 05-08-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jap

does an 81 have an oxidation cat? where?

No... the only models with an oxidation cat would be the 1987 300D/TD, and 1986-87 300SDL, as part of the trap oxidizer recall (the pre-turbo trap was replaced with a post-turbo oxidation cat). The 1985 300D in CA had a post-turbo trap replaced by a post-turbo cat but these are rare.

No models prior to 1985 had any trap or catalyst of any kind. Ditto for the 90-93 300D 2.5T. Starting in 1995 with the E300, they brought back the catalyst.

gsxr · #33 05-08-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aersloat

I wonder if Dr. Booth has documentation on the ether question.

I thought that a cat was added as part of the trap recall campaign. Is that incorrect?

I emailed Marshall and didn't get a reply. I haven't heard from him in many months, I hope he's OK. Maybe he's just busy, or my message went into his spam folder, lol.

Yes, you are correct, the cat was added as part of the trap recall campaign. The trap cam off, the cat went on in a different location (downstream). Here's a photo of the new pipe, with cat, used on the 1987 300D/TD:

Phil · #34 05-08-2007, 02:46 PM

I ran into this on the internet
http://books.google.com/books?id=5nHW-USbN6wC&pg=PA281&lpg=PA281&dq=starting+fluid&source=web&ots=016JifeKQS&sig=VQ6RcIWW42fF79pbZYSjBAWFJYA

bgkast · #35 05-08-2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stcbenz83

He stated that the whole "ether no-no" was cause when GM produced those diesel engines with a gasser lower end.

This is a common misconception. See: Are the 300SD's Pure Diesel Engines!?

bgkast · #36 05-08-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

The 1985 300D in CA had a post-turbo trap replaced by a post-turbo cat but these are rare.

The '85 trap ox, which was replaced with the ox cat, is pre-turbo.

bgkast · #37 05-08-2007, 10:07 PM

I can't find any mention of starting fluid or eather in my '85 manual.

Cervan · #38 05-09-2007, 01:35 AM

dont use it period.

#39 05-09-2007, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cervan

dont use it period.

That pretty well sums it up.

gsxr · #40 05-09-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

The '85 trap ox, which was replaced with the ox cat, is pre-turbo.

Wooops. That's right - I keep forgetting. It was a weird design. And the W123 recall put the new canister in the same location, unlike the W124/126 variants. Go figure.

gsxr · #41 05-09-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

That pretty well sums it up.

Well yeah, to you, me, and most other well-informed folks on the forum. The initial request was for official documentation from Mercedes stating not to do it, and better yet WHY not, so we have a way to convince stubborn mechanics that they really shouldn't use it on MB diesels. The truck diesel guy I mentioned in the first post is still convinced that he's right. I'd like to be able to respond with something better than "well I know I'm right, because, well, I just am, that's why."

#42 05-09-2007, 04:21 PM

The solution for "stubborn mechanics" is to turn them into "stubborn ex-mechanics." Arguing with idiots is a waste of time.