thoughts on ether?
- Thread starter dggott
- Start date
If it's plugged in and your glow plugs are working properly it should start easily at those temps. it's not a good plan to use either with glow plugs.
Jchonline
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Kubota L6060, KX040-4, M7060, RTV X1100C, M62 (sold)
Most mechanics I have seen on this and TBN would strongly discourage using any type of starting fluid...including ether. It can cause damage.
Block heater is a much better idea.
Block heater is a much better idea.
I've learned of the evils of using ether from the people on this website.
I recently bought a new Chevy pick up truck. I was surprised to see a warning sticker on the engine cowling to not use ether on a diesel truck engine.
I recently bought a new Chevy pick up truck. I was surprised to see a warning sticker on the engine cowling to not use ether on a diesel truck engine.
NO ETHER!!!!! and or any starting fluids on a Glow plug engine. Get an external heat source to warm things up.
Ether will pre-ignite with considerable force. It has been known to break crankshafts and bend connecting rods. You should avoid it on these engines.
With my stubborn diesels, I aim a kerosene space heater at the engine and run it for 20 min or so. This is enough to warm up the oil and get the combustion chambers above ambient.
When starting, if you get it to fire on one or more cylinders, you can continue glow plug input while it's running. It's smoky and rough, but that will usually get it going.
With my stubborn diesels, I aim a kerosene space heater at the engine and run it for 20 min or so. This is enough to warm up the oil and get the combustion chambers above ambient.
When starting, if you get it to fire on one or more cylinders, you can continue glow plug input while it's running. It's smoky and rough, but that will usually get it going.
Kubota specifically warns against using any ether/starting fluid in their engines. Those will ignite at a much lower compression/temperature than diesel fuel and may ignite with the piston BEFORE top dead center and blow your piston/rod/crank/head on the engine.
Having posted that, I've witnessed a number of folks use ether on a diesel that is low on compression due to being worn out. The tiniest little "shot" you can deliver prior to the air filter is their technique. But I'd never do it to MY engine. Pre-heat is a better plan. If you're in a hurry you can aim an electric heater right at the intake before the air filter and let 'er crank a few strokes and she might think it's summertime.
Having posted that, I've witnessed a number of folks use ether on a diesel that is low on compression due to being worn out. The tiniest little "shot" you can deliver prior to the air filter is their technique. But I'd never do it to MY engine. Pre-heat is a better plan. If you're in a hurry you can aim an electric heater right at the intake before the air filter and let 'er crank a few strokes and she might think it's summertime.
Poohbear
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L3301 HST, LA525, LP shredder, BB1566 box blade, QH10, Worksaver pallet fork
Amazon has both Kubota & aftermarket addon block heaters. I guess I'm a whimp cause -11 , it's not a day to do anything But drink coffee on the recliner until 3 then , cocktails 
Doggot using either will cause you grief! If you have electrical power nearby just use heat gun aimed at the intake. You can get a 1500W at Harbor Freight for about $20.
Both my M's sit in an unheated barn all winter here in Michigan and no electricity to heat a block. Never had an issue. I run good Interstate batteries and do a little bit of the Glo dance and they pop right off and always have.
Either will kill any engine that has built in pre heat, not just Kubota. Ford Powerstrokes, Cummins in Dodges and Duramax in Chevy's all can be destroyed with either.
Stuff is bad ju-ju.
Either will kill any engine that has built in pre heat, not just Kubota. Ford Powerstrokes, Cummins in Dodges and Duramax in Chevy's all can be destroyed with either.
Stuff is bad ju-ju.
Like the rest have said, no ether! When I first started out working on cars a long time tech had a van that wouldn’t start (7.3 diesel). Told me to get in and crank it when he said(as he sprayed the ether). Well needless to say the whole air box and inlet tube blew apart in his face as soon as I turned the key to turn the glow plugs on. Luckily he didn’t get hurt. But long story short never use ether on a diesel! Make sure the glow plug system is working properly and it should start fine and regardless of temp(granted compression is good too)
North Idaho Wolfman
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Just In case you missed others comments
NEVER ETHER
If you don't have a block heater, battery charger, and some kind of other heat, or heat air in the intake (air cleaner box), even a hair dryer will work for this.
NEVER ETHER
If you don't have a block heater, battery charger, and some kind of other heat, or heat air in the intake (air cleaner box), even a hair dryer will work for this.
The best block heater, is the type that go directly into the block. You will need a very large socket to install it, if it is like my BX22. For that reason, I had the dealer install it before it was delivered.
"thoughts on ether".. GOOD for the Dentist office & FUN at party's....
OH & starting a gasoline lawn mower.. PERIOD.
OH & starting a gasoline lawn mower.. PERIOD.
Ether has been used on diesels without precombustion chambers (like big trucks) for years, but only in a pinch. These engines are different in that they have direct injection and no glow plugs. Ether has no lubrication properties so that is the biggest problem with those engines, but as I said it can be used in a pinch. It should never be used for engines with precombustion chambers and glow plugs, such as a Kubota.
Having said all that, some years ago I had a Volvo 240 with a diesel engine, which had glow plugs--but they didn't work. At the time I didn't have the scratch to have them replaced, so I used ether for almost a year to start the car. I'd shoot about a half-second's worth into the breather and the engine would start right up. Again, the glow plugs didn't work, and the engine didn't seem to suffer any long term effects. My point: If your glow plugs don't work, it MAY be an option to start the engine with ether--but only without preheat.
Having said all that, some years ago I had a Volvo 240 with a diesel engine, which had glow plugs--but they didn't work. At the time I didn't have the scratch to have them replaced, so I used ether for almost a year to start the car. I'd shoot about a half-second's worth into the breather and the engine would start right up. Again, the glow plugs didn't work, and the engine didn't seem to suffer any long term effects. My point: If your glow plugs don't work, it MAY be an option to start the engine with ether--but only without preheat.
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On most of those the block heater is in the lower rad hose right beside the oil filter, they're not very hard to install. You would have to slide the hood forward, drain the antifreeze, cut the hose and slide the inline heater in. I'm pretty sure the rad drain is right beside the lower rad hose ( or just cut the hose and let it drain) add some 50/50 mix and plug it in.
Now that we have hopefully convinced you NOT to use ether to start your Kubotas, what are you going to do with the cans of ether you have lying around?
Don't be like me, who saves everything in case it might come in handy. Pure ether as used for anesthetizing animals becomes explosive due to peroxide formation in the can, so just banging the can will cause an explosion. Starting fluid as obtained from an auto parts store is not usually all ether and has a stabilizer to prevent peroxide formation, but the gases it contains if the container leaks are all highly flammable (after all that is the point of it). If the vapors reach something that creates a spark, the flame can flash back to the can and also cause it to go boom. So store if you must in a well ventilated area, spark free. Preferably dispose of unused ether/starting fluid according to local regulations. This "might" be as simple as taking small containers outside and taking the lid off. Do NOT flush it!
In the lab we had explosion proof refrigerators and grounded explosion proof solvent cabinets, but no such stuff at home.
Betting torch and skeets and a couple others can add or correct here.
Don't be like me, who saves everything in case it might come in handy. Pure ether as used for anesthetizing animals becomes explosive due to peroxide formation in the can, so just banging the can will cause an explosion. Starting fluid as obtained from an auto parts store is not usually all ether and has a stabilizer to prevent peroxide formation, but the gases it contains if the container leaks are all highly flammable (after all that is the point of it). If the vapors reach something that creates a spark, the flame can flash back to the can and also cause it to go boom. So store if you must in a well ventilated area, spark free. Preferably dispose of unused ether/starting fluid according to local regulations. This "might" be as simple as taking small containers outside and taking the lid off. Do NOT flush it!
In the lab we had explosion proof refrigerators and grounded explosion proof solvent cabinets, but no such stuff at home.
Betting torch and skeets and a couple others can add or correct here.
I have both an XP Frig and a XP solvent cabinet in the garage. It was good the work for BIG Pharma back in the day. When the Man said get rid of those, I would say OK boss, their outer here!Now that we have hopefully convinced you NOT to use ether to start your Kubotas, what are you going to do with the cans of ether you have lying around?
Don't be like me, who saves everything in case it might come in handy. Pure ether as used for anesthetizing animals becomes explosive due to peroxide formation in the can, so just banging the can will cause an explosion. Starting fluid as obtained from an auto parts store is not usually all ether and has a stabilizer to prevent peroxide formation, but the gases it contains if the container leaks are all highly flammable (after all that is the point of it). If the vapors reach something that creates a spark, the flame can flash back to the can and also cause it to go boom. So store if you must in a well ventilated area, spark free. Preferably dispose of unused ether/starting fluid according to local regulations. This "might" be as simple as taking small containers outside and taking the lid off. Do NOT flush it!
In the lab we had explosion proof refrigerators and grounded explosion proof solvent cabinets, but no such stuff at home.
Betting torch and skeets and a couple others can add or correct here.