thoughts on ether?

[dggott]

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

-11 seemed cold until I saw -35 for tomorrow night with -60 wind chill. Then, back to 40 Sunday! Welcome to Iowa!

 

[dggott]

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.

I have one can. Maybe I'll use on log splitter. Or maybe I'll wait for it to warm up- don't wanna blow any hydraulic hoses. Maybe I'll use on tiller- at least makes me think of spring. Maybe I'll use on mower- oh, wait- the BX is the mower. lol Maybe I'll stand back and throw it in a brush pile we're burning and watch the excitement?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Wow, 5 pages of comments and the bottom line is, either is BAD for a Kubota engine.

 

[Tx Jim]

Wow, 5 pages of comments and the bottom line is, either is BAD for a Kubota engine.

Ether is bad for any brand engine not just Kubota engines if not utilized correctly!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SidecarFlip]

Ether is bad for any brand engine not just Kubota engines if not utilized correctly!!!!!!!!!!

ONLY thing I use it for is to get my air cooled gas motors going after they sit all winter. That recoil start can be a widow maker.

Think I have the same can I had 15 years ago.

 

[lugbolt]

Yesterday's project. Starting fluid induced. BX2230.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Yesterday's project. Starting fluid induced. BX2230.

Is that a new design con rod? Curved for more efficient operation?...

 

[Jpatrick]

What symptom caused you to tear down the engine and discover the bent rod?

 

[D2Cat]

dggott, don't waste that can. Use it as the final spray to clean parts when you need them perfect!

 

[lugbolt]

What symptom caused you to tear down the engine and discover the bent rod?

Here's what happens in the repair business.

Machine shows up, then we do up a work order. We need all the information we can get to help the techs diagnose. In that process, I asked this particular customer what his complaint is. He says "it ain't got no power". Ok, then we try to get them to elaborate. Does it run fine and transmission weak, does the engine smoke any, is there any history on it that I need to know of? "NO, I just want my #%E@#@ tractor fixed. So at that point, we have to try to NOT make the guy any madder than he already is.

During unloading from customer's trailer, we noticed that it cranks over weird, but does start. Upon inspection, found air filter cap was installed incorrectly. Everything else looks good. Get the R/O, attempt to start engine but it won't start (18°F outside). We pushed it into the shop. I finally got the engine to start but before I did, checked the glow plugs. No power to glow plugs. Found wire off. It's been off for a while too (dirty). That helped. Engine now starts but is weak, get some exhaust smoke (fuel) as well. The fuel smoke is a dead giveaway. Pulled glow plugs, do compression test....570, 310, 550. Isolated to low compression on #2 cylinder. Then pulled valve cover, checked valve clearance. Perfect. At that point, you remove the head and inspect, at which time found #2 piston at it's TDC wasn't at T, rather about 3/16" down, compared to the other 2. Then get on the phone with customer. Rods don't bend on their own, it takes either a ton of cylinder pressure or liquid. Guy says while talking that he's been having a hard time starting the engine when cold so he's been giving it a little spritz first thing in the morning to get it going. If he'd told me that from the get-go, the labor for diagnosis would've been a little less.

Worth mentioning is that sometimes the crankshaft is also affected in cases like this. I've had MX5000 in the past where the rod(s) are bent, replacement of them and the pistons did get the engine to run, but later in life the crankshaft breaks. When there's that much cylinder pressure, it's possible that the crankshaft is cracked or bent/twisted. Ive' run into this with BX's too, and a certain G series diesel. It happens and when it does, I make a point to warn the owner that it would be advisable to remove & inspect the crankshaft, which costs, but not doing so could result in breakage later down the road.....and a broken crank usually takes out a lot more than just the crank (usually block and everything).

 

[D2Cat]

Lugbolt, your description should be a good example for folks who ask question about their tractors on a forum. Tell the WHOLE story at the beginning, don't leave out the stupid stuff to save face! Because it eventually gets discovered, and don't start out with "I'm asking for a friend".

 

[RCW]

Lugbolt, your description should be a good example for folks who ask question about their tractors on a forum.

Great point 'Cat.

I was thinking the same while reading lugbolt's post....it's SO much easier when the whole story comes out.

 

[Fordtech86]

Great point 'Cat.

I was thinking the same while reading lugbolt's post....it's SO much easier when the whole story comes out.

Glad to hear the tractor repair world is no different then the auto world. Detective work is also part of our job description too.

 

[RCW]

Detective work is also part of our job description too.

Funny.. this morning I stopped to "supervise" (translation, bullshit with) the guys at the independent shop I take my truck. I kinda have run of the place after 30 years...

They were trying to diagnose a Parts Store's delivery car.. no one knows anything....

 

[lugbolt]

It's not just tractors.

Iv'e been fixing stuff for 40+ years. It's everything. You never get the whole story either out of spite or perhaps sometimes some embarassment. But it would make our jobs a lot easier if we had it.

What I've learned:

When a tractor breaks down, the owner is notably upset, but they kind of expect it based on what they're doing with it. More expected now with all of the over complicated systems dealing with DEF and soot.

When a lawn mower is broken, the world is ending.....

I don't understand it. Maybe the wife is on them for not getting the grass cut. Don't know. The old saying goes "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". I even had a guy pull a gun on me once because warranty wouldn't cover his screw-up. Many times have had threats of death and/or bodily harm, not to mention the trash talk online. Like I can't see and/or recognize them?

ATV's aren't much different than lawn mowers. Side-by-Sides? Middle ground....usually the driver knows why it's broken, but the driver isn't always the owner or even the one I see when it's time to haul it to the shop.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love fixing stuff but between physical aches and pains and then the stresses of dealing with people who get irate over something that doesn't amount to much, it's really wearing on me. And now....add into it that I have a new boss that I'm having a hard time getting used to working for.

Here is a good one. Owner has a ZG222A. Battery goes down every other mowing. Stator bad, not charging the battery (all other components good). With labor, parts, cleaning he was looking at a little under $500 with tax (engine has to be removed which is really easy on a 222). Nope, ain't doing it...too expensive. He ran over to Home Depot, bought one of those little lawn trailer things that goes behind a riding mower. Well a ZG222 doesn't have a hitch, so he asked me to make one. Sure. Then same day, he drops the trailer off, I build the hitch, that afternoon he comes to pick it up and buys a new Yamaha generator from us ($1200), a $40 battery charger, and of course pays the hour labor to fab up a hitch. So he's into this stator for ~$1500. He still to this day hauls the trailer with the generator and battery charger hooked up to the ZG222 around while mowing, to keep the battery charged.

You can't make some of this stuff up. Those of you who also do dealer work can relate.

 

[Fordtech86]

It's not just tractors.

Iv'e been fixing stuff for 40+ years. It's everything. You never get the whole story either out of spite or perhaps sometimes some embarassment. But it would make our jobs a lot easier if we had it.

What I've learned:

When a tractor breaks down, the owner is notably upset, but they kind of expect it based on what they're doing with it. More expected now with all of the over complicated systems dealing with DEF and soot.

When a lawn mower is broken, the world is ending.....

I don't understand it. Maybe the wife is on them for not getting the grass cut. Don't know. The old saying goes "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". I even had a guy pull a gun on me once because warranty wouldn't cover his screw-up. Many times have had threats of death and/or bodily harm, not to mention the trash talk online. Like I can't see and/or recognize them?

ATV's aren't much different than lawn mowers. Side-by-Sides? Middle ground....usually the driver knows why it's broken, but the driver isn't always the owner or even the one I see when it's time to haul it to the shop.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love fixing stuff but between physical aches and pains and then the stresses of dealing with people who get irate over something that doesn't amount to much, it's really wearing on me. And now....add into it that I have a new boss that I'm having a hard time getting used to working for.

Here is a good one. Owner has a ZG222A. Battery goes down every other mowing. Stator bad, not charging the battery (all other components good). With labor, parts, cleaning he was looking at a little under $500 with tax (engine has to be removed which is really easy on a 222). Nope, ain't doing it...too expensive. He ran over to Home Depot, bought one of those little lawn trailer things that goes behind a riding mower. Well a ZG222 doesn't have a hitch, so he asked me to make one. Sure. Then same day, he drops the trailer off, I build the hitch, that afternoon he comes to pick it up and buys a new Yamaha generator from us ($1200), a $40 battery charger, and of course pays the hour labor to fab up a hitch. So he's into this stator for ~$1500. He still to this day hauls the trailer with the generator and battery charger hooked up to the ZG222 around while mowing, to keep the battery charged.

You can't make some of this stuff up. Those of you who also do dealer work can relate.

I get you 100%! And as far as having a gun pulled on you, I have a gun cocked and locked in my toolbox at work,multiple reasons for that but not going there.

 

[GeoHorn]

I get you 100%! And as far as having a gun pulled on you, I have a gun cocked and locked in my toolbox at work,multiple reasons for that but not going there.

Does the Ford dealer in Pineville know that? (Is your resume' up to date? No offense, Man... but Darn if I'd post my gun-enthusiasm on-line … if I had any.)


I know what you mean Lugbolt! And the WORST offenders are those who should know better. Not far from FordTech is a pal living near Zwolle who is a retired airline mechanic/machinist. His last job before retiring was re-machining turbine blades on Rolls Royce RB-211 jet engines. He can...and will.... fix anything for anybody as a favor to all. But his own equip't is another story.

When he broke down in a rainstorm while driving his motorhome thru Halletsville (elect fuel pump died due to low voltage) instead of replacing the alternator which was difficult to access... he bought a portable generator and mounted it on the rear bumper and, using duct-tape ran an extension cord down the side of the MH and thru a window to a battery-charger clamped to the battery beneath the floorboards. That was 5 years ago and he still operates that way. LOL

 

[Fordtech86]

Does the Ford dealer in Pineville know that? (Is your resume' up to date? No offense, Man... but Darn if I'd post my gun-enthusiasm on-line … if I had any.)

Yes and yes