Community Forums

fun time · 11-09-2007, 02:05 PM

I remember reading in my Cummins manual "do not use starting fluid" yet on another forum a mechanic used starting fluid to assist a problematic Cat engine. I am curious, what is the verdict on this?

fun time · 11-09-2007, 02:05 PM

I remember reading in my Cummins manual "do not use starting fluid" yet on another forum a mechanic used starting fluid to assist a problematic Cat engine. I am curious, what is the verdict on this?

Route 66 · 11-09-2007, 02:15 PM

Cummins expressly prohibits starting fluids as there is an electrical grid heater in the air intake to heat the incoming cold air.

With all the good info available on the various forums, there is also a lot wrong info.

RustyJC · 11-09-2007, 02:41 PM

As a cold starting assist to get the compressed air sufficiently hot to initiate combustion, some diesels use glow plugs in the combustion chamber while others (such as Cummins) use electrical grid heaters in the intake tract. Ether should never be used in the latter case as an intake system explosion can result.

Rusty

fun time · 11-10-2007, 03:07 PM

Thanks guys for setting me straight! Thought I had a senior moment there.

Zimectrin · 11-12-2007, 05:32 AM

I have witnessed a CAT started with starting fluid.

However it was done by a CAT mechanic and he disabled the pre-heaters and waited about five minutes before proceeding.

Lesson to learn-- the book is correct, starting fluid should never be used by you and me.