Don't need glow plugs

[whunter]

Don't need glow plugs, got a case of ether.

So says the owner of a 1983 300D at Plymouth, MI burger king this morning.
As he was spraying ten second blast directly into the turbo.
Made one heck of a cloud when it started.
Poor engine will soon be scrap metal.

"Ether", use and abuse. *Flame suit on*
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1015003#post1015003

Grrrrrrrrr.

[J. R. B.]

5.7 Olds diesels have a decal on the air cleaner lid Do Not Use Starting Fluid. The Old diesel and the 617 Mercedes have compression ratios very similar or even the same. I don't use starting fluid and I live in North Dakota where it's colder than a womans heart. I keep my glow plug system in order and I use my block heater. My Mercedes and the Olds always start even down to -20F without starting fluid. Anything lower than that temp I'm content to stay home and dream of better days ahead.

[diesel don]

Roy:

The only time I use it is in an emergency. Froze up in a parking lot....when the daughters call for help.

Did you get my email? I'm still in the game....and especially for bio....

dp

[Ralph69220d]

I think I read a post by t walgamuth who suggested using wd-40 as a starting fluid. The vehicle that carries the actual lubricant in wd-40 is quite volatile, but nothing like ether. So, sounds as if one were in a jam, a shot of wd-40 in combination with the well maintained glow plug system will likely get it to start if it's going to start at all. I have a block heater in my 220d, which does wonder's.

[Hatterasguy]

Talk about cheap.

[tnarg]

hello. i posted my 2 cents on the other thread started by WHUNTER about 'ether, use and abuse...' if you are interested.
by the way Ralph69220d, i've got a 220D block in my garage that is looking for a home...

[compress ignite]

Gentlemen,

Correct me , Please, but is not the prohibition against ether [in pre-chambered,
GLOW PLUG Diesels] to prevent the BURNOUT of the GlowPlugs and possible
catastrophic transfer of pre-chamber material to the combustion chamber?

Ether is the last thing you add to your intake before you have the "Wheel Lift" pick up your baby for transport to the CRUSHER!

[Ralph69220d]

Originally Posted by tnarg

hello. i posted my 2 cents on the other thread started by WHUNTER about 'ether, use and abuse...' if you are interested.
by the way Ralph69220d, i've got a 220D block in my garage that is looking for a home...

I had a failing chain tensioner, which eventually failed altogether, causing the tensioner, tension rail and chain to slap fiercely; broke the tension rail, but the chain remained unscathed as far as visual inspection and cam/crank agreeing on tdc. I haven't done a compression test on this engine yet. I will be doing so after attending to the more immediate problem of getting it running again and some necessary suspension work. Do you have any info regarding your 220d as regards the shape it's in?

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by Ralph69220d

I think I read a post by t walgamuth who suggested using wd-40 as a starting fluid. The vehicle that carries the actual lubricant in wd-40 is quite volatile, but nothing like ether. So, sounds as if one were in a jam, a shot of wd-40 in combination with the well maintained glow plug system will likely get it to start if it's going to start at all. I have a block heater in my 220d, which does wonder's.

Keep your spray can of WD-40 inside as in might not spary out much at extremely low temps if kept in the trunk. The one guy mentioned starting at -20F I bet the propelent in the WD-40 would be a liquid at that temp.

[Diesel911]

Starting fluid is not cost effective either. New glowplugs are cheaper than starting fluid.

[chetwesley]

Originally Posted by whunter

Don't need glow plugs, got a case of ether.

So says the owner of a 1983 300D at Plymouth, MI burger king this morning.
As he was spraying ten second blast directly into the turbo.
Made one heck of a cloud when it started.
Poor engine will soon be scrap metal.

"Ether", use and abuse. *Flame suit on*
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1015003#post1015003

Grrrrrrrrr.

Ether isn't good for your diesel, and Burger King isn't good for your heart.

[Diesel911]

In the 5 years I worked at his shop I had seen my Boss use 3 methods to start diesel engines that were hard to start. 1- Starting fluid, 2- WD-40 and three dip an old T-shirt in gasoline and stretch it over the intake have someone hang on to it while some one cranks the engine.

[babymog]

Ether can be used for starting fluid, but it is known for stretched head bolts and other issues in big diesels (most of which don't use glow plugs). WD-40 is preferred by most. Other reason is its propensity for washing the lubricant from cylinder walls when used prodigously (has killed many Wankel (Mazda rotary to not use the German name) engines also).

In a glow-plug or heated intake, it shouldn't be used unless the pre-heat is disabled. In the Oldsmobuick, it is for this reason it is cautioned against, same in Mercedes.

[C Sean Watts]

Originally Posted by Diesel911

In the 5 years I worked at his shop I had seen my Boss use 3 methods to start diesel engines that were hard to start. 1- Starting fluid, 2- WD-40 and three dip an old T-shirt in gasoline and stretch it over the intake have someone hang on to it while some one cranks the engine.

Much was the Boss's insurance?


Color me stupid and spank me if I'm wrong but didn't Robert Goddard use ether as one of his original rocket fuels?

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by C Sean Watts

Much was the Boss's insurance?


Color me stupid and spank me if I'm wrong but didn't Robert Goddard use ether as one of his original rocket fuels?

He was an excellent mechanic and I can never remember him damaging anything he worked on.
My Boss never had a problem with the things that he did because he knew not to over do things. The key reason he got away with using the starting fluid is the someone else cranked the engine while he sprayed. This insured that the minimum possible amount was used. He also made sure the battery/ies were charged.
If you do this by yourself it is difficult to judge how much starting fluid to spray in. You spay a bunch in and run to start the car. What happens next is a large concentration and volume of evaporated starting fluid is waiting in your intake to get suck in all at one time. Boom;maybe!
Also these were Cummings and Detroit diesel truck engines with thick piston rings and direct injection (Detroit 71 series diesels have steel piston heads).