Why would a diesel need ether

[wore out]

So what explains the first use of ether?

If the rings aren't broken, you won't have to use ether. If you never use ether, the rings won't be broken from using ether. If the rings aren't broken from using ether, you'll never have to use ether. You think maybe someone just woke up and said, "Let's spray some ether in this perfectly good engine for no reason whatsoever, and break the rings?"

Fun fact, engines don't run long with broken rings.

Seems like despite how many times people PROVE that there is no such thing as "addiction to ether" and that "ether destroys engines" is a lie, those myths will never die.

I agree.

I don't think the occasional use of ether is likely to break rings UNTIL the rings, grooves and piston/cylinder wall clearances are worn after many hours of engine use and the rings get slammed about.

 

[Brown David]

Tony, a neat trick my dad and I learned from a dirt contractor out in North Central MT, put a Tee in your trucks heater hose lines and run lines with quick couplers to where you can get to them, do the same thing to the equipment, build a set of jumper hoses long enough to go between the truck equipment, pull up to job in the morning, hook the jumper hoses up, in the correct direction of flow, jump back in the truck and enjoy a cup of coffee, doesn't take long and the equipment is warm enough to start right up. We had our Hydramaxx trencher and the rubber tired backhoe and one dozer setup that way, it worked super slick.

Yep.

That's been done for years here with woods working equipment.

 

[Steve in IL]

My experience is that if you crank the engine, it doesn't start, and white smoke comes out the exhaust, then the fuel is too cool to combust. Could be cranking speed or compression issue. Rarely both (as poor compression lets an engine turn over faster, unless you have significant battery/cable/switch/starter issues).

But if you crank the engine, it doesn't start, and no smoke comes out the exhaust, you likely have a diesel fuel supply issue.

 

[cumminstinkerer]

Yep.

That's been done for years here with woods working equipment.

Very rare to see that around here in central Iowa, mostly if you see it it is somebody that knows us!

 

[Tony in SD]

Tony, a neat trick my dad and I learned from a dirt contractor out in North Central MT, put a Tee in your trucks heater hose lines and run lines with quick couplers to where you can get to them, do the same thing to the equipment, build a set of jumper hoses long enough to go between the truck equipment, pull up to job in the morning, hook the jumper hoses up, in the correct direction of flow, jump back in the truck and enjoy a cup of coffee, doesn't take long and the equipment is warm enough to start right up. We had our Hydramaxx trencher and the rubber tired backhoe and one dozer setup that way, it worked super slick.

Cumminstinkerer Pretty sure my dad would not have taken the time to do that. Not an issue anymore since I'm retired. In fact I dont think I even have a can of ether on the farm.

 

[cumminstinkerer]

Cumminstinkerer Pretty sure my dad would not have taken the time to do that. Not an issue anymore since I'm retired. In fact I dont think I even have a can of ether on the farm.

I was surprised that my dad let me do it either, we just used pioneer couplers on the hoses, had one setup male to male jumper and one female to female, the machines and truck had the corresponding ends in the right place to make flow work, it really was astonishing how fast you could warm one up, even the M11 Cummins in the Hydramaxx would be warm enough that the cab heater would at least put out warm air after about 15 or so minutes hooked up to the service truck with the little 5.9 cummins

 

[buickanddeere]

We have a jd 4320 it won’t start anything below 40 without ether and it was professionally rebuilt probably 15 years ago and doesn’t have very many hours on it since you can say what you want but I still believe motors can get ether addicted

Engine was not correctly built with enough compression . Sunk valves and the incorrect piston set . Injection pump timing is probably late . Slow cranking speed because if no de-stroker and the six volt batteries .

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Engine was not correctly built with enough compression . Sunk valves and the incorrect piston set . Injection pump timing is probably late . Slow cranking speed because if no de-stroker and the six volt batteries .

This evening, I just "sunk" the valves an average of .005 in a valve grind of a John Deere 404. How many psi can I expect to lose?

 

[Mcrafty1]

Tony, a neat trick my dad and I learned from a dirt contractor out in North Central MT, put a Tee in your trucks heater hose lines and run lines with quick couplers to where you can get to them, do the same thing to the equipment, build a set of jumper hoses long enough to go between the truck equipment, pull up to job in the morning, hook the jumper hoses up, in the correct direction of flow, jump back in the truck and enjoy a cup of coffee, doesn't take long and the equipment is warm enough to start right up. We had our Hydramaxx trencher and the rubber tired backhoe and one dozer setup that way, it worked super slick.

Most logging operations here in Maine used that method for a time....many head gasket issues on the warming vehicle, it seems dumping ice cold water into an engine running at operating temperature wasn't such a good idea, I don't know of anyone that does it today. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Mcrafty1]

I am just curious of Why would a diesel tractor need ether . For the first start of the day. I have a friend that says he hast to give it a little ether every morning to start the first time. Rest the day at fires upon its own perfectly.

A cold soaked diesel engine sometimes needs a little help...nothing wrong with a sniff or two of starting fluid to assist the combustion of the fuel....the key word here is sniff.

 

[Brown David]

Most logging operations here in Maine used that method for a time....many head gasket issues on the warming vehicle, it seems dumping ice cold water into an engine running at operating temperature wasn't such a good idea, I don't know of anyone that does it today. That's my 2 cents.

I've heard tell of that happening but have never known of any personally.

I do know one guy who put a ball valve in the return line from the cold engine to slow the flow of cold coolant into the hot engine.

 

[jon f mn]

This evening, I just "sunk" the valves an average of .005 in a valve grind of a John Deere 404. How many psi can I expect to lose?

That's enough to see a change. I raised the valves in my 830 .005 above standard and it made a noticeable difference.

 

[Alvin 41]

I am just curious of Why would a diesel tractor need ether . For the first start of the day. I have a friend that says he hast to give it a little ether every morning to start the first time. Rest the day at fires upon its own perfectly.

I've two old L785 New Holland skid loaders with Perkins engines. A little either starts them much easier than the electric glo plugs .

 

[buickanddeere]

I've two old L785 New Holland skid loaders with Perkins engines. A little either starts them much easier than the electric glo plugs .

Glow plug system is not functioning and needs repair or replacement