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)

 

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

 

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

 

Sealord said:
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?

 

Frigid? Anything below 40 degrees!! :moose:

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.