FYI
 

Many cleaning fluids can react like starting fluid...

Near fatal... and a warning
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/293600-near-fatal-warning.html

I grew up around logging equipment and drove some of those trucks with accommodation for starting fluid (ether) and used it regularly. Winter temperatures could dip well below -40 for weeks at a time so we used ether and heat exchangers to start the equipment.
In the '80's I purchased a Jetta TD and had the head replaced when I purchased it. A few years later I was stuck at work in the winter and the car would not start. I had some ether I used for inflating tires (another story) so I gave the car a shot and fired her up. I did this for 4 day before being able to replace the defective glow plugs. But I still had a cold start problem. Cycling the glowplugs worked.
I took the car to a truck shop but they had no luck and only succeeded in destroying my battery so I bit the bullet and took the car to VW dealer.
It turned out to be a couple of broken valves.
The 'seasoned' tech called me and asked if I ever used ether. He showed me the head... it looked like someone went at it and the pistons with a ball peen hammer.
He said this is typical of using starting fluid in an automotive diesel. It's been over 20 years so I cannot remember the specific reason against but after that I have never used ether for anything besides inflating tires.

I've never used starting fluid in a MB. But i've used it a bunch in my Isuzu when I forget to switch from vegetable oil. It does fine. Although the engine is had a lot of blow by to begin with.

Given the success in teh isuzu I tried it one day in my 6.2 suburban ignoring the sticker on the air filter cover than read "Do not use starting fluid. Immediate engine damage can occur" Seriously that is what it says. Well, now i know why it says that. it vapor locked the engine right away. Had to wait 10 minutes before it would go normally. Engine still runs fine though.

Then when getting a 6.5 worked on by a mechanic he tried to use starting fluid. I suspected it wouldn't go well but he was the mechanic. It vapor locked and we heard pieces of the starter hit the pavement. The 6.2 and 6.5 Chevy diesels really don't like starting fluid at all even the least bit.

We used it once as a last resort in a 1981 VW rabbit parked in an alley that had "Move Me" spray painted on it. It started and we moved it. :) That was the best use of starting fluid i ever had.

That's my experience with it. So does it work on MBs , 617, 602, 606, 610? I don't know. I guess i better read this thread :)

Read Whunter's first post, it tells you all you need to know about using ether on your MB.;)

No it does not. I highly disagree with Whunter's post, but it's his opinion.

Most cans of ether are clearly marked "not for use on diesels with glow plugs". Even the small amount of ether that Whunter specifies will ignite prematurely resulting in engine damage (cracked piston rings, or worse), and may or may not actually start the engine. As I stated earlier in this thread, even if you disable the glow plugs it's not safe to use ether - starting fluid is not intended for use in high-compression diesel engines. Most people would not realize the damage done until months or years later, even if there was not immediate major damage.

If you choose to use ether on your MB diesel engines, fine, but don't recommend that other people use it unless you're willing to pay for their engine repairs. And anyone considering using it on their car should ask themselves, "do I trust people on the interwebs who I've never met before enough to risk my engine?". IMO, using ether to start a Mercedes diesel with indirect injection and glow plugs (basically all MB diesels through 1999) is a cop-out. Fix the starting system and glow system, and ether is not needed.

<flame suit on>

:thumbsdow

um....where did you see any "recommendation"???:confused:

methinks that taking a step down from the highhorse may be of some benefit.
There are times when glow system failure occurs at inopportune times/places, and if the owner decides to take the risk of using ether (their decision, not mine or whunter's) then utilizing it in the safest possible manner can greatly help the odds in not damaging their engine. Guess in your perfect world we could all live in harmony with our perfectly functioning 30 year old diesels and never speak the word ether again.

That would be AWESOME.

:chinese2:

We can dream....:D

(and with a little hard work we can achieve at least some of our dreams)

Frustrated
 

One of my local customers loaned a 240D to his 23 year old son.
This was to visit (friends) in that foreign country called Upper Michigan.
https://www.google.com/search?q=ishpeming+michigan+weather&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

I got a call from the son, begging me to come get him, and the car.
After some incoherent babble, he explained why ...

* They got drunk.
* Ran out of alcohol.
* Tried to start the 240D at 9° F without glowing it.
* Got a tractor going with starting fluid to jump the car.
* Decided the starting fluid was a good idea, and found a fresh case + more is better.
* Doused the breather hose.
* Serious alcohol induced issues with aim = multiple cans later the passenger side of the engine is drooling.
* Glow plug light, OK.
* Starter = ka-woof, insert random screaming.
* Bail out, run for the tractor.
* Drive away with jumper cables still connected.
* Catch jumper cables on car hood hinge = shorting out tractor alternator.
* Tractor dies = bail out and run, insert more random screaming.
* Go back in house and pass-out.

** Wake up, hungover.
** Call Roy and beg for rescue (roughly 8 hour drive each way).
** Go out and survey the car in daylight.
** Ruined hood, hinge, fender, and battery.
** Scorch marks on the passenger side of engine compartment.
** Air scoop and intake hose melted.

Ye$, it could have been much wor$e, I made hi$ hungover $elf.
# Swap the tractor battery into the car.
# Remove the glow plugs.
# Crank the engine.
# Install the glow plugs.
# Glow three times.
# Crank, and it fired on the first revolution.
# Leave it run, and get buddies to help remove the hood.
# Drive into town for a new car battery, and alternator for the tractor, and more alcohol.

Wonder how he will explain the damage to dad ???

Points:
+ Alcohol and vehicles do not go together.
+ Starting fluid is bad.


.

Bwa ha ha ha that is comedy gold

I recently used starting fluid to get my 84 300sd going after putting autolite glow plugs in and having all five go bad within three weeks and during a cold spell. couldn't get it going after installing new fuel filters and waiting for new bosch duraterms to show up. I cranked the motor a few times to make sure oil pressure was there, and gave a little shot into the side of the air intake tube. Since all of the plugs were shot, they weren't a problem. Fired right up after a couple of turns, and revs never got higher than 2K. that was a few weeks ago, and it's been fine. Started right up on the second turn at -10C with one glow....I've definitely seen idiots doing the dumb though, and I would never tell an average person coming to the shop to use it on their own.

Thanks WHunter for the bump. Comical and informative reading for sure!

I've been wrenching since before I was interested in girls. Rebuilt a small block Chevy at 12 years old and several small engines before that. I have never once purchased or used starting fluid/ether. I have no plans to start now.

Recently my 617 started at 6 degree temperatures with no block heat after cold soaking overnight. Coldest temp we'd had in decades. Recent valve adjustment, solid compression, good timing, good battery, great battery cables and connections, healthy starter, good glow plugs, and solid glow plug wiring. Glowed for almost a full minute, turned the key, and the first cylinder that came up on compression lit and she was off and running.

I know 6 degrees is nothing compared to -20 or colder that other parts of the country get. If I venture out of our cozy valley I may pick up a can, just in case.

Recycled
 

for new members.

With winter coming, you need to know this.

.

Great post..thanks for this..

Exactly, well put.