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Is there a right way to use starting fluid on a cold Detroit Diesel?
I've been working on trucks for 20 years now and I've always heard you should never use starting fluid on a 2-stroke Detroit. But last winter I had a 8V92 that wouldn't fire at 10 degrees, even with the block heater on for 4 hours. I sprayed a short burst into the air intake and it started right up, ran fine, no damage. Now I'm wondering if the old timers were being overly careful or if I just got lucky. Has anyone else used starting fluid on a Detroit and had it work out?
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andrew7781d ago
Folks need to watch out for hydraulic lock too, that's the real danger. @the_emery's buddy Mike got lucky with that 6-71 but not everyone walks away from that hammering sound. Too much fluid collects in the blower and the next startup bends a rod for sure. A short burst is one thing, holding the trigger down is asking for a rebuild. Most guys who wrecked a Detroit absolutely drowned it first.
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the_emery1d ago
You ever talk to a buddy named Mike who runs a fleet of old wreckers? He told me he had a 6-71 that just would NOT catch one morning up in northern Michigan, like 15 below with windchill. He figured one little shot wouldn't hurt and gave it a puff, motor fired up but immediately sounded like someone was beating it with a sledgehammer for about ten seconds. It ran fine after that, but he swore he'd never do it again because that noise scared the hell out of him.
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noranguyen1d ago
I've noticed that same pattern with old diesel guys and starting fluid. They all swear by it when it's cold, but every single one has a story about that one time it went wrong and sounded like the engine was about to throw a rod through the block. It's like a rite of passage for anyone who works on these old beasts. You learn real quick that a little goes a long way, and too much turns your engine into a percussion instrument for a few terrifying seconds. The funny thing is, you see the same thing in other trades too, like mechanics who borrow someone else's tools and swear it's fine until a ratchet slips and costs them a knuckle. There's always that one lesson that sticks with you because it scared the daylights out of you.
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