Starting fluid

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Starting fluid is a mixture of diethyl ether, volatile hydrocarbons(pentane/hexane) and some propane, dimethyl ether or butane. Often useful when starting direct injected diesel engines or lean burn spark engines running on alcohol fuel. Starting fluid works due to the low autoignition temperature of diethyl ether, 360F (182C).

Other uses with either gasoline or diesel engines is if the motor isn't used very often. Using starting fluid to get the engine running faster avoids wear on the engine. Mechanics sometimes use it to diagnose starting problems, especially amateur mechanics that lack diagnostic machines. If sprayed into the air intake on a car, it can be used to determine whether the spark and ignition system of the car is functioning, since the car engine will run on the starting fluid vapors briefly. It is used more often with carbureted engines, than with fuel injection systems. It is especially useful for starting diesel engines in colder weather, which do not run efficiently until the engine block warms up to a certain degree.