Is it OK to use starter fluid on a diesel truck engine?

We used ether to start heavy equipment that used glow plugs like a D9H or 245 excavator... They were "ether babies" that would no longer start without ether. Maybe the rings were shot from not enough lubrication over the long term of starting with ether. Ether will help get it started when the battery isn't good enough to run the glow plugs long enough in the winter, a quick fix to get it running, it's a double edge sword...

 

Are you using the proper weight winter oil??
The injectors on a powerstroke or international won't work with the heavy weight oil in the cold
And for you naysayers i worked at an international dealer for 3 years . We used to tell people this all the time and they would't believe it either but the next time they came in they were convinced.
Again it's the way the injectors work[or not] they NEED oil pressure.

 

The 245 and 9H were 3406 engines. No glow plugs

 

In my experience every time you use ether you risk addicting the engine to it. Especially the older engines. I do not really understand why, but the stuff is like heroine, there is no such thing as casual use. That being said, sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do and risk it. Just use it sparingly. A short squirt is more than enough. A long spray and you risk catastrophic damage.

 

I hate it when they get a snoot full and take off on their own

 

Starting fluid is #### good for getting grease out of your clothes though!

 

And off your hands! Also works great on yellow jacket nests.

 

Oh and don't forget how useful it is for mounting tires.

 

I still do that LMAO.

Proof I'm not always bright

 

+1