Howdy fellow dieselers!

So we all have heard anecdotes that using starting fluid (ether) in a Mercedes diesel engine is a no-no. The usual warnings mention things like shattered prechambers, bent conencting rods, and other general unpleasantries.

My question: Is there anything in print from Mercedes about this? I can't find any documentation in the owner's manual, WIS, FSM, or otherwise that says anything about it. If someone could tell me where to find official information about this, I would GREATLY appreciate it - and I'll post it on my website for future reference as well.


Reader's Digest version of why I'm asking:
My dad's 87 300D suddenly lost power and died while cruising down the road earlier this week, like it was out of fuel (tank is 3/4 full). He had it towed home, tried re-starting, it refused to start. Changed fuel filters, but it still would not start (yes, he pre-filled the new filter with clean diesel). A friend of his (with a Cummins-powered truck) persuaded him to tow it to a local diesel shop that works on his Cummins. The mechanic there liberally sprayed ether into the intake while checking for fuel at the injectors, etc, but didn't have time to work on it further, he was going to continue this AM. My dad told me this last night, I told my dad to call the shop first thing this AM and politely ask them not to use ether on the Mercedes. The mechanic then proceeded to launch into a tirade with lots of colorful language and a few minutes later told my dad to come take his car away, which my dad happily did. The car is now at a European car repair ship in upstate NY waiting for a hopefully more-knowledgeable mechcanic to look at it. My dad's friend isn't happy at the moment, and I'm not sure the second shop will be bright enough not to use ether, so I'm trying to dig up SOME kind of documentation to show mechanics, my dad, my dad's friend, etc that ether is not recommended for Mercedes high-compression, indirect-injection diesels. I'd love to work on this myself but unfortunately, I'm 3000 miles away.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!!

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