Winter Boating ?'s

[Bodofish]

The safe way to use starter fluid is to spray it on a rag then put the rag on the intake holes of the air box or cleaner. Back in my commercial fishing days we would keep a box of sanitary napkins for just that purpose.

[Rivercamp72]

Bodofish,

But what about the increased head pressure. I've heard this is way too much for the newer engine, only to be done on older motors, etc.

[edge540]

Man I would only use starting fluid in an emergency. Could be ok that stuff can really mess up an engine. Ive seen Diesel truck motors detonate and get heavily damaged. Could be ok but ive never tried it on an outboard.

[Bodofish]

Guys, that would be the reason you don't spray it in the intake. Spray it on a rag and hold the rag to the intake. Spraying directly into the intake is bad juju for the engine and huge fire/explosion hazard.

[edge540]

Good point, not saying its not ok. Just thinking in my head that I would never consider using starting fluid on anything I owned unless it was some old piece of junk I didn't care about or wasn't worth fixing properly. The rag method would certainly be better then squirting it down the stack though

[Bodofish]

Old school Diesel......

[Anglinarcher]

Did you know that a can of WD-40 is a perfect starting fluid? It works almost as well, does not contain the ether, won't create the head pressure.

Some of you thought it was only good for adding scent to bait and lures.

[MotoBoat]

G-Man,
Boy, I don't know. Starter fluid is powerful stuff....

I asked this question to a Marine mechanic. As I sometimes have a cold start issue. He said "do not use starting fluid in a 2 stroke due to the oil not being in that fluid". So I squirt a shot of gas/2stoke oil mix directly into the carb intake housing. That does the trick. I do not do that anymore since discovering another easier method for priming.

Before starting cold. Pump the primer bulb until firm. Then manually move the shift lever/throttle control to the full power position. That insures the carb or in my case, all three carbs give a squirt of fuel into the motor. Then check the primer bulb for firmness and squeeze to confirm. Return throttle to neutral/start position. Move fast idle lever to full position, turn key while activating the electric choke.......manipulate the choke to keep the motor running until not needed. That does the trick. Cold starting is cut by 3/4 the normal cranking time.

[Bodofish]

Did you know that a can of WD-40 is a perfect starting fluid? It works almost as well, does not contain the ether, won't create the head pressure.

Some of you thought it was only good for adding scent to bait and lures.

If you have an old can and you are fast enough on the starter. The propelant is propane.....