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What Is The Best Starting Fluid?
Now that it's getting very cold, the issue of starting fluid arises. Most seem to work OK in the Summer. But, when the weather gets cold and a tractor is really tough to start. Many brands don't seem to work very well. It's like they are diluted.
What brands of starting fluid perform the best? Maybe the better ones have more ether in them or something. But, I need something that works better than the cheap store brand. Thanks
Let me add some details that might help:
1. It is a tractor. A four cylinder diesel that can really tough to start when the temperature is below 0 F. We have occasions during the winter that happens.
2. An engine heater is a great option as long as the power stays on. When we have a bad winter storm, it can go out for days. Also, when the temperature drops below 0 F. Fuels, lubricants even metal starts acting differently. Metal parts shrink to different tolerances depending on their composition and it makes things work a little differently.
3. Starting fluid should only be used occasionally, which won't harm most engines. Excessive use may. Many tractor manuals have instructions for cold weather operation including winterizing the fuel and using starting fluid occasionally as a last resort.
4. It would be just too expensive to store a tractor in Florida and drive it to Ohio every day to use it. Even were physically possible.
The amount of energy in any brand of starting flui
5 Answers
- liverhuyen2003Lv 77 years ago
Starting fluid in any situation is not a good practice to get into. People get carried away with it and then you get either fouled plugs (gasoline engines) or severe damage with Diesel engine
In both of my shops, you will never find starting fluid, If we've ever in need, use Carburetor Cleaner instead. Since you have asked the question, I would do these thing to deal with cold weather starting.
Keep your gas tank as full as possible to help prevent the gas from freezing. The fuel's alcohol attracts moisture, which can freeze.
Use thinner oil in your engine during the coldest months of the year to prevent it from thickening so much that it can't lubricate sufficiently. This can slow the engine's movements to the point that it won't start.
Turn off all accessories, including the heat, radio and headlights. Pump the gas pedal once before starting if your vehicle does not have a fuel-injected engine.
Turn the key and hold it for up to 10 seconds if necessary for the engine to turn over. Do not flood the engine or kill the battery. Wait a few seconds and try it again if the vehicle doesn't start.
Ask someone with jumper cables and a running vehicle to jump-start your vehicle if the battery is dead.
Use a block heater to physically warm your vehicle before you attempt to start it. Either use a timer to turn the heater on and off, or plug in the heater two hours before you plan to start the vehicle.
I used to hook up a trickle charger to the battery over night to keep the battery power up and ready to start the vehicle in the morning also using a Battery blanket that I buy from Auto part store.
Hope it help.
- FlagMichaelLv 77 years ago
If I understand correctly you are talking about a diesel engine, one without glow plugs. Any ether based starting fluid in a diesel with glow plugs can destroy the engine... see the source.
I think you know that but I wanted to be sure. Other than that, you are right - the mount of ether is the big factor. Our Snow Cat has ether injection built into it and that works in any temperatures. Sometimes we have to give it a second shot in really cold weather.
Source(s): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_LWm4g35Jw - 7 years ago
you need more than starting fluid to fix this problem, or you live where its way to cold
