PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

fj bertrand · #8 11-12-2006, 11:36 PM

If you are not familiar with ether, don't use it.

I had my 300D parked with no electric nearby. The battery wasn't really new.
the temp went from 10 C to -15 C overnite, as a "Alberta Clipper nvaded."
No cell phone, and nobody around to give a jump.

I cranked and it would not start for anything. So, I turned the ignition on, let the glow plugs cycle, and waited 3 minutes from them to cool down. I then sprayed ether into the air intake and cranked. The engine barely turned, then got a whiff of the smelling salts (ether) and caught. The pistons really slapped but I got out of there.

That was about 3 years ago, and the engine seems none worse for wear

Using ether is NOT for the weak of heart or as I said earler, those not familar with it. Being around diesel farm equipment and commercial diesels, not counting the army trucks, I am confident that I can safely start any diesel with ether. Many farm tractors have ether assist starting systems with ether plumbed into the intake system and controlled by a button on the dash.

Actually, I think the coolest engine starting system is the gas 'pony' engine, which is actually a 2 cylinder gasoline engine attached to the huge displacement diesel. I am most familiar with the Cat 300 series engines with about 600 cid. The pony motor runs its exhaust through the diesel's intake manifold, heating the incoming air; the pony motor's lubrication system pumps the diesel's oil through its crankcase, heating it. After about 4-5 minutes, the exhaust manifold is red hot inside the diesel manifold and the oil is sufficently heated to allow the pony motor to turn the diesel. the pony motor turns the diesel engine over without compression, oiling all parts. after a minute or two, and in one operation, the operator closes the compression relief valve, opens the fuel supply and the engine cranks runs smooth. An overruning clutch disengages the pony motor and it is shut off, and the diesel is off and running for the day. The pony motor can either be electric or pull started.

John Deere had its large displacement farm tractors start with a pony motor and of course, International had its diesels start on gasoline and switch over to diesel. Those diesels would start in ANY weather, any temperture.

Boy, do I look forward to fighting another winter NOT....