Ether

[UP Oliver]

Does anyone use ether to help with starting their Oliver? I see a warning label on my 1755; to not use ether with the manifold/preheater.

I know the previous owner used ether, I have not. I do use ether on my Allis Chalmbers loader. I had the block heater going for 3 hours the other day and still needed a shot of ether to get it going.

I could use a little information on when to use ether and when not to. Also, what are the reasons to avoid using it.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.
 

[retired farmer]

What they mean is: if you use ether, Do Not use the preheater at the same time. If you use the preheater, Do Not use ether at the same time. Use one or the other, but not both at the same time. The heater will cause the ether to explode before it reaches the cylinder.
 

[UP Oliver]

Thanks. I realized the preheater and the ether is a bad combination, but is there any other concern with using ether?
 

[rocko]

If you can avoid it. If you have to your engine is probably getting loose. Used excessifly it can cause damage to your engine, break rings for example. Thats my opinion for what its worth. In other words my 2 cents. Rocko.
 

[rocko]

Should have added that if you must use it try to have engine turning over when you spray ether into intake not before and then cranking engine. Again 2 cents worth. Rocko.
 

[d beatty]

You have to be carefull not to use to much ether because you can ether lock a diesel engine if you use to much ether,
 

[Baelee05]

Ether makes for a more violent explosion inside your engine upon combustion. The mistake most people make is using too much. In most cases a very very quick sniff is all that is necessary. If you need to use more your engine is getting tired and a tired engine is just waiting for an excuse to come apart. Too much ether will give it that excuse. Personally, with the 310 that your 1755 has, I would be real hesitant to use much if any ether. Find out why it won't start. Start with the preheater and make sure it is working.
 

[mkirsch]

Most of the "starting fluid" we can get today has only a very small amount of ether in it, if any at all...

Seems to me like the stuff without the ether would be less harmful to the engine. True?
 

[sdc eastern ia]

I know of one guy that uses wd40 instead of ether. I have no idea why this works comments please.
 

[G1355]

Don't. Think it would work, because wd40 really isn't flammable, you can spray it and it won't ignite like either, probebly doesn't help any with starting the tractor.
 

[CH in Iowa]

I would highly recommend to NOT use ether with a 310. If the pre-heater is working properly, it will create enough heat to get the tractor started. Never used either on my 1855 and not going start.
 

[duane o.]

Either if the pre heater is working can cause a manifold explosion blowing the manifold apart and causing all sorts of carnage. If you are using ether disconect the preheater. The old wd40 use to use propane as a propelent and since its a lubricant it worked good as a starting aid. Not any more though. Sounds like your preheater element is burnt out if it wont start with block heater. Hope this helps. Duane.
 

[rrman61]

Heard some one say one time they used gas on a clean rag held up to the air intake to aid in starting when cold.Anyone hear of this{not recmmending it just asking]?Also I bet it was with pure gas[not ethanol].
 

[craigco]

Ether also acts as a solvent, to much washes the oil away on the top end and will ruin your rings. Then you have a smoking engine.
 

[e]

The topic of ether usually brings out folks who state that using it will totally trash your engine. When used sensibly, that is completely unfounded advice. When you get into engines that are 8-9L and larger, the number of engines that used preheaters start to dwindle pretty fast. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to heat up enough air to make a difference for engines that large. Ether is the cold weather starting aid of choice for most engine manufacturers of large displacement (there have been millions and millions of engines built which were equipped with ether start from the factory).

What is being done today is an integrated solution using ether. There are a number of engines that monitor crank speed after start up and will inject ether while the engine is running if crank speed drops below a certain threshold or begins to osculate. This is done for idle stability and white smoke clean up.

But back to your oliver....as other have stated use ether or preheat, but not both.

If your preheater is weak or not working, an option would be to look up the ether kit used on the CaseIH Maxxum series (5140, ect.) You'll need to put an 1/8 npt port for the nozzle somewhere at the entrance to the manifold. Ether is nice since it makes for quick starts and won't drain a weak battery even before you crank the engine over.