Starting fluid into diesel engine intake?

Question

My car has been issues with starting...my pre-glow lamp has been flashing for 3 weeks...a couple times it would take forever to start; now, it has't started at all. Most likely a glow plug problem.

I sprayed starting fluid into the intake (I took the breather off) and it, almost started...but after a couple more sprays, it wouldn't start. So I quit from there. Most likely a glow plug problem?

I heard everyone say..."Don't use starting fluid on diesels...it will severely damage the engine!" Now I am worried that I had done some serious internal damage to my car! I'm going to replace the glow plugs when they come in. I smell ether still, I think, from the engine.

So...what kind of damage does starting fluid do to diesel engines?
And if it is so damaging...why do starting fluid proclaim on its own label (on the can) that is can be used on diesel engines?
If if extremely damages diesel engines at 100%, then why are they selling cans of starting fluid used for diesels?
What are my chances that my engine is screwed...or am I paranoid from other people's exaggeration about starting fluid?

This inquiry applies to: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 240D

Answer 1

I know you'll turn your nose-up at my diesel farm tractor starting method but it works and it's a heck of a lot safer than starting fluid. Buy a gallon of WD-40 and a hand pump spray bottle in your local farm supply store. Spray the WD-40 directly into the naked air intake while someone spins the starter over.



It will not knock and hammer like starter fluid does and the motor will pop right off as long as the starter is spinning the motor at a normal speed.



I'm sure you've heard a diesel hammer and knock when using starter fluid. The reason that happens is the starting fluid and compressed air is igniting (knock) in the cylinders way before it normally does before the piston reaches a few degrees before top dead center as it does with diesel fuel. There's no lubricant in starter fluid. Starting fluid is hell on the pistons connecting rods and crankshaft.



WD-40 is a refined petroleum product. It will fire slightly sooner than diesel fuel but you won't hear any knock.

Answer 2

Starting Fluid Diesel

Answer 3

Diesel Starting Fluid

Answer 4

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On a glow plug engine you activate the glow plugs: this is automatic on most newer vehicles . A glow plug light will come on and then go off. When it goes off you turn the engine over. If it doesn't strart, turn the key off, wait a minute, repeat the 'glow" process. In extreme cold many vehicles have block heaters to warm it up a bit so it starts easier. As to starting fluid: starting ether can damage a diesel engine. Believe it or not, WD 40 works GREAT as a diesel starting fluid: spray a bit into the intake manifold.

Answer 5

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RE:

Starting fluid into diesel engine intake?

My car has been issues with starting...my pre-glow lamp has been flashing for 3 weeks...a couple times it would take forever to start; now, it has't started at all. Most likely a glow plug problem.



I sprayed starting fluid into the intake (I took the breather off) and it, almost...

Answer 6

It does sound like you have a problem with the glow plugs. It probably isn't the glow plugs themselves. It most likely is either the glow plug controller or the glow plug relay.



I have owned 3 diesel vehicles and used starting fluid in them with no problem. The key to that is using the starting fluid sparingly. Starting fluid also works better if you have two people. One to crank the engine and the other to spay the fluid in the air intake. If you are spaying starting fluid into the intake of a cranking engine, stand back a little bit in case it pops back.

Answer 7

Starting fluid (as long as you don't very much of it) will not do any harm to your diesel engine. But you have to get to the bottom of why your engine won't start. Get a compression check on all your cylinders. Your car is over thirty years old with I presume many miles behind it. Diesel engines have very high compression ratio which if below par it cannot ignite the diesel fuel.

Answer 8

You need to turn the key ON, but not all the way so that the engine turns over. There should be a light on the dash somewhere that is shining that might say Glow. When the light goes out, then you can finish turning the key all the way so that the engine turns over. Diesels do not have spark plugs, they have GLOW plugs. These need to warm up first, that is why you wait a moment, before you attempt to turn the motor on. If you continually turn the motor on without letting the glow plugs warm up, you will eventually ruin the plugs, which can get pretty expensive, plus your vehicle won't start well.

Answer 9

Hi

I would thank WD-40 would be OK as its kind of an oil for lubrication and would work better than the starting fluid as there is no real spark on a diesel right? it works under high compression. If I remember correctly.

Answer 10

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Answer 11

the glow plugs are at the heart of your problem. you can put all of the starting fluid in there that you want, it should not start still.

Answer 12

Be careful what you spray as it may damage the Mass Air Flowmeter

Answer 13

That doesn't make any sense, your a certified mechanic?

Answer 14

please what is the term, used for using fuel to start diesel engines as quick start

Answer 15

Never really thought about this