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Topic: Ether start on mechanical Cummins (Read 1349 times) previous topic - next topic

Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Quote
And some of us do not have the intake pre heat, or wait to start, must be a southern thing.
Gary, when you don't have wait to start, do you have ether bottle to help start in cold weather?

Our wait to start pre-heat has a large diameter cable terminal on each side of the intake manifold center section.
I think our control module for pre-heat on center of fire wall.

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #1 –
Barry, No ether start either, do have the usual block heater.  I have parked o'nite in 15 degree weather in Denver and started fine even without the block heater.  My engine does have a decal warning against use of ether but nothing else.  So much for standardization.  :)
Gary B

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #2 –
My 91 U225 with the 5.9 has both the block heater and the ether start, which is weird, as it spent most of it's time in Florida. The can of ether is looking somewhat aged; can't say I'm real keen to use it. How cold would it have to be for ether to become necessary?

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #3 –
Merle, I have a 5.9 Cummins in a Freightliner with a crane body, it starts fine at 10F, no either, just good batteries.

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #4 –
Thanks Dave.

Read a couple of stories where folks managed to grenade their engines using ether incorrectly. Hence my question.

Steve
1991 U225 Grand Villa

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #5 –
Merle, In my world, the need for either is saying the engine is in lousy condition, and many engines have been destroyed by wild men and a can of either,  A real good example is a DDC 2 stroke, only throws a rod from one of two reasons, one OVER SPEED and the other is OVER EITHER, either way, the rods start jumping outside the block, even seen it happen to a 12V-71 and they have super strong blocks.

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #6 –
I've used ether on farm tractors but I've always been very cautious... I would start to crank the diesel over and then spray some ether towards the intake... I had heard that simply spraying a bunch and then cranking is one of the guaranteed ways to cause harm to the engine.

I prefer to use the block heater.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #7 –
We have a C8.3 (mechanical) that appears to be in good condition. We have two relatively new Optima Red Top series 34 batteries. I tried to start without using the block heater at about 25F without good results. If I expect the temperature to be below 25F at start time, I turn on the block heater before we go to bed the night before. We have had good results doing that in temperatures of 0-10F.

Other people have reported more robust starts at similar temperatures. Our coach has an intake air heater. I would not use ether at all. If it won't start, I'll wait for warmer temperatures or wait for the block heater to warm the engine. If someone's life were at stake, I might take more drastic action.  :)
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #8 –
There are methods for starting engines when it is cold and no heat nor ether,  Crank 6-8 seconds, wait 4-5 seconds and repeat, by approx the 3rd cycle, it will have enough heat in the cylinder to fire if the engine is in good condition. 

If it has been weaned on ether, you will need ether, even on a hot summer day, no compression as the compression rings have lost all temper and not sealing at all.

Everytime you use ether, the compression rings get a little weaker.

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #9 –
My recollection is that when I tried starting at about 25F without using the block heater, when I hit the starter the engine went "Ugh!" It didn't sound like it turned even past one cylinder. I didn't try any more after the first "Ugh." That was a test on a day when we didn't need to move. I've been inclined to use the block heater any time we have been plugged in and planning to roll out in the morning. I've not done any subsequent tests.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #10 –
Also, the available Cold Cranking Amps are lower as the temperature drops.  So, when everything is cold and frozen and the CCA are lower, the starter says..."What?  Ugh...I wasn't designed to do this job too well under these conditions!"  Definitely use the block heater & Battery Boost during very cold starts.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #11 –
Ya gotta have BATTERY and CABLES that are up to the job  along with a good starter and an engine that is in good condition.

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #12 –
Below 35 deg, I use the block heater turn it on when you go to bed and turn on the batt boost sw to let the charger warm the batts up, no since putting a strain on everything just to see if it will start. I know everyone says an ISC with an intake heater will start at very low temps everything works and mine won't at 20 Deg.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country
 

Re: Ether start on mechanical Cummins

Reply #13 –
If my engine does not turn over rapidly, I start my generator, let it run for a few minutes, turn on the booster and the engine turns over very nicely.
Bob  96 U320