Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Anyone using "starter spray"?

I work as driver for the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction every year in January. Probably 10% of the cars arrive with old gas and dead batteries. Our on site mechanics go through several cases of starting fluid during the three weeks we are moving cars.

I believe the most likely reason for the addiction is broken piston rings due to the massive and likely too early explosion when the ether ignites.

I've just had exactly the same discussion with my ex RAF motor mechanic mate who's given exactly the same response engines becoming addicted and only ever used on diesel. - However I personally remember seeing it used on petrol cars in the late 1970s for cars which wouldn't start easily.

What we can say about starting is

1. That there's absolutely no reason whatsoever for allowing the fuel pump to pressurise the inlet injector rail/side more times than the once initial pressurisation cycle but do allow time for the ECU to obtain data prior to starting and

2. never pump the accelerator prior to ignition on an injection engine as you're upsetting the throttle closed position sensor corrupting the ECU data for throttle closed voltage. Simply turn over and she should start.

I think in engines with bores coated with nikasil (or similar) there is a danger of damaging the coating.

In the case of diesel engines, regular use of ether can damage the glow plugs and/or the inlet air heater if fitted.

Fully agree with the reply from Red Three. Cycle the pump. Have to do this on my 86 +4 and the 3W. Turn ignition to on, let pump run. Back to off then to on again.

May have to do it three times if sitting for a long time. Here in the desert with 12% humidity even fuel injection dries out. Works every time for me and saves the battery.

Carb spray works fine on SU's.

TomS

I remember an apprentice being sacked for burning down a transport yard near me. He tried the ether trick on a lorry tyre which went badly wrong and set fire to the workshop.

He was apparently trying to copy something he saw done on Ice Road Truckers.

Arwyn

Frequency of usage probably has a bit to do with how easily it starts. I use the M3W four times a week commuting to the airfield. I turn on the ignition, let the fuel pump cycle, allow the check light to go off and then hit the button, it has always started almost immediately (except for the time when the fuel pump quit).

My nephew was having injector trouble giving bad starting. His mechanic advised him to use 'maintenance spray' in the intake. This has ether in it.
Field Marshal tractors used a blank shotgun cartridge to start. Turn to near TDC, unscrew holder & insert cartridge & screw down again. Insert lighted taper & hit cartridge with a hammer. Job done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEurohAwrmA

My father used to tell me that there were only five moving parts in a field Marshall engine - two stroke diesel. They could also be hand started, but you'd never keep your hat on when you did.

Tim

That's amazing - I'd never heard of this before.