Using ether to start a cold engine

[Midnight Flyer]

While talking to an old salt driver today he told me that it was once required to use a shot of ether to start the diesel engines of old on frigid mornings. With today's modern technology is that still required? 8)

[Sealord]

Yup, it used to be used. The stuff is dangerous. Used it in the winter on my Dad's agricultural tractors. It's also why most companies want their drivers to idle when temps get less than 20 degrees. I've never used it, I idle, particularly when I'm sleeping and want to keep warm. BOL

[yoopr]

While talking to an old salt driver today he told me that it was once required to use a shot of ether to start the diesel engines of old on frigid mornings. With today's modern technology is that still required? 8)

Not necessarily if you have your truck plugged in and DON'T spray starter fluid like they show on their Directions-Just a quick shot should do it. If not just give er another quick shot. Ether is VERY bad on your engine if you over use it.,

They used to have Ether Cannisters in the Trucks.
You're in Arkansas-What do you consider "Frigid"? :P :P

[JBenson2]

Sealord said:

I idle, particularly when I'm sleeping and want to keep warm

How about the other extreme, when you are trying to sleep in the cab during a hot summer day... Are you concerned about the anti-idling laws that have been springing up around the country?

[Midnight Flyer]

You're in Arkansas-What do you consider "Frigid"? :P :P

Frigid? Anything below 40 degrees!! :moose:

[Windwalker]

Down to about 20 degrees above, the engine should start on it's own. Below that, I would first try starting it on it's own, and if it doesn't fire, then try a shot of it. As soon as the temp gets below 40, it should be plugged in to keep the water jacket warm. It's a whole lot easier on the starter if the oil is warmer. And, once started, don't rev up the engine until you see the temp guage going up, or you could see much more oil pressure than you want.

[terrylamar]

You're in Arkansas-What do you consider "Frigid"? :P :P

Frigid? Anything below 40 degrees!! :moose:

Frigid, it was down into the high 80's today, it is already frigid.

[PackRatTDI]

Down to about 20 degrees above, the engine should start on it's own. Below that, I would first try starting it on it's own, and if it doesn't fire, then try a shot of it. As soon as the temp gets below 40, it should be plugged in to keep the water jacket warm. It's a whole lot easier on the starter if the oil is warmer. And, once started, don't rev up the engine until you see the temp guage going up, or you could see much more oil pressure than you want.

When I worked for pepsi, the intake pre-heater on my assigned GMC Top Kick CAT engine burned out it's relay one winter. Winters in southern NM can get down into the low 20's, sometimes the teens. So as you can imagine, it took quite a lot of cranking and the spewing of white smoke until I got the engine to fire up and idle. It was so bad that my truck was parked at the far end of the lot, lol. When I finally got her started, I would engage the "fast idle", which was sticking an empty Pepsi 20oz bottle crate between the seat and the accelerator. If you got it just right, it would idle around 1000-1200 rpm. IT sure was nice when our mechanic got that damn relay replaced!

Then later that spring the engine had to be rebuilt after the compression was tested and found to be almost non-existant. Explained why it was eating oil like there was no tomorrow.

[yoopr]

Down to about 20 degrees above, the engine should start on it's own. Below that, I would first try starting it on it's own, and if it doesn't fire, then try a shot of it. As soon as the temp gets below 40, it should be plugged in to keep the water jacket warm. It's a whole lot easier on the starter if the oil is warmer. And, once started, don't rev up the engine until you see the temp guage going up, or you could see much more oil pressure than you want.

When I worked for pepsi, the intake pre-heater on my assigned GMC Top Kick CAT engine burned out it's relay one winter. Winters in southern NM can get down into the low 20's, sometimes the teens. So as you can imagine, it took quite a lot of cranking and the spewing of white smoke until I got the engine to fire up and idle. It was so bad that my truck was parked at the far end of the lot, lol. When I finally got her started, I would engage the "fast idle", which was sticking an empty Pepsi 20oz bottle crate between the seat and the accelerator. If you got it just right, it would idle around 1000-1200 rpm. IT sure was nice when our mechanic got that damn relay replaced!

Then later that spring the engine had to be rebuilt after the compression was tested and found to be almost non-existant. Explained why it was eating oil like there was no tomorrow.

When it Actually gets cold I wouldn't recommend running at that high of an Idle right after your engine starts.

[Flatspot]

There is another use for ether I haven't seen mentioned.

Let's say the ECM isn't working. Fuel timing is out of whack. Starter turns the engine over, but no fuel, and no start. What to do? Pay through the nose for a push start?

Nah. A shot of either in the air intake. Jump in the cab, press the accellerator pedal to the floor, and start cranking. It should fire up in a few seconds. Then foot off the pedal.

That way, you know you can get it started, and keep running until you have a chance to get the problem fixed.

[Meat Wagon]

Sealord said:

I idle, particularly when I'm sleeping and want to keep warm

How about the other extreme, when you are trying to sleep in the cab during a hot summer day... Are you concerned about the anti-idling laws that have been springing up around the country?

As I understand it, idling laws don't apply if you are IN THE SLEEPER, though I think some places back east set temp restrictions (eg. it must be above **degrees to use the AC or below ** degrees to run the heater).

By the way, HELLO to everyone. I began trucking in '76 to '86, took a forced break & started again from '97 til now. A lot has changed, and not for the better (except the equipment is much better).

[yoopr]

As I understand it, idling laws don't apply if you are IN THE SLEEPER

I think you're wrong on that but it's a state by state thing so who knows what some states do. but Welcome.

What happens when your in a state that has the idle law. Lets say it's 90 outside and you get a ticket. Is it just one ticket for the duration that your parked or do they bang on your cab until you stop. I guess my real question is, does a $25 dollar ticket or whatever buy you the luxury of A/C for the night?

[marcel27208]

[quote="yoopr"]

While talking to an old salt driver today he told me that it was once required to use a shot of ether to start the diesel engines of old on frigid mornings. With today's modern technology is that still required? 8)

Not necessarily if you have your truck plugged in and DON'T spray starter fluid like they show on their Directions-Just a quick shot should do it. If not just give er another quick shot. Ether is VERY bad on your engine if you over use it.,



speaking of plugging in.... i have a plug(block heater?) near my drivers side door....i park truck at home daily...is it true all i do is plug into wall and to block heater and that will prevent a cold start in the a.m.??????

[Windwalker]

[quote="marcel27208"]

While talking to an old salt driver today he told me that it was once required to use a shot of ether to start the diesel engines of old on frigid mornings. With today's modern technology is that still required? 8)

Not necessarily if you have your truck plugged in and DON'T spray starter fluid like they show on their Directions-Just a quick shot should do it. If not just give er another quick shot. Ether is VERY bad on your engine if you over use it.,



speaking of plugging in.... i have a plug(block heater?) near my drivers side door....i park truck at home daily...is it true all i do is plug into wall and to block heater and that will prevent a cold start in the a.m.??????

Not so much that it will "prevent" a cold start. More like the start is not as cold, and more likely to start. At -35 Degrees F, you'll get it to fire, but the engine temp will be low enough that you really don't want to idle it up till the temp guage starts to go up. When it gets to that temp, you want to make sure you have the right additive in the fuel to keep it liquid. If not, the truck will fire, but not run very long. Even if you have it plugged in, the fuel can be a solid mass. If there are any questions about the fuel, when you start the truck, DO NOT TRY TO INCREASE THE RPM. Revving up the engine will, very likely, run you out of fuel in the engine with your tanks full. Let it idle for some time, and hope that a little heat from the engine will turn a small pool of fuel into liquid before you try to move the truck.

One more note on ETHER... I once ran a piece of equipment that had an "AIR PRE-HEATER". It was an electric element in the intake manifold that would glow red and heat the air before it went into the cylinders. Spraying Ether, no matter how much or how little, would cause a VERY SERIOUS EXPLOSION in the intake. If your engine is equipped with this, DO NOT USE ETHER!!!!!

[solo379]

I guess my real question is, does a $25 dollar ticket or whatever buy you the luxury of A/C for the night?

Not sure about that, but one thing for sure, you could stay in Hilton luxury suit, for less money! :P

[Douglas]

When ya'll say "idle", do you mean leaving the engine running while you sleep? If so, that probably burns a s***load of fuel. I've seen drivers do that at truck stops before in the middle of the night. They'd have the curtains drawn over the windshield and windows. It'd be on a summer night too, which means they'd have the A/C on,... buring more gas!! :shock:

[Jackrabbit379]

This was 20 some odd years ago that I was told this,so,it may be different now days. I was told once that diesel uses about 5 gallons every 12 hours,when idling

[solo379]

This was 20 some odd years ago that I was told this,so,it may be different now days. I was told once that diesel uses about 5 gallons every 12 hours,when idling

It depends on an engine size, load, RPM...and few other things.
Could be anywhere between 0.5 to 1.5 gallons an hour.
According to ECM, my average idle consumption, is 0.71gph.

When i did reply to Steve, i mean cost of that ticket, not fuel!

[PackRatTDI]

When ya'll say "idle", do you mean leaving the engine running while you sleep? If so, that probably burns a s***load of fuel. I've seen drivers do that at truck stops before in the middle of the night. They'd have the curtains drawn over the windshield and windows. It'd be on a summer night too, which means they'd have the A/C on,... buring more gas!! :shock:

Well, try sleeping on a hot humid night in the deep south with the AC off. I "gahr-rhon-tee" you'll wind up in a pool of your own sweat.