"Start Ya Bastard" starting fluid

[gwernybwch]

Are they are any issues using starting fluid such as "Start Ya Bastard" (love the name!) on a 2-stroke petrol engine?

I'm told that diesel engines can get 'addicted' to starting fluid if used too much and then not start without it.

Essentially I've got a bike that was starting and then cutting out after a minute or so, but now won't start at all. I'm pretty sure that it is the carb settings - pilot air screw or needle height - but need to get it started before I can make the adjustments and to know whether the adjustments are for better or worse.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Pete.]

Personally I think the whole 'addicted' thing is a load of tripe. The fact that you are needing to use starting fluid suggests the engine has a problem that prevents it starting normally. By using the fluid you're not addressing the problem and eventually it gets worse until it won't start at all.

To answer your question, no, there's no reason not to use it, but take note of the above.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[N cee thirty]

diesel engines get addicted because stuff like ezystart washes the oil off the bore making it harder to start, so needing the additive to help it start everytime
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would agree with Pete. Don't see why anything would get addicted to it. Use it constantly and yes it might wash the oil from the bores, same as using the choke. With a diesel I would be more concerned that it will probably ignite a long time before TDC.

With a 2 stroke the only extra concern would be it igniting under the piston. While possible I would expect that to need a fair bit of heat (and possibly a spark), which would likely mean the engine running so it probably wouldn't need it.

All th ebest

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Pete.]

[finpos]

Agree with the non-addiction line. I know a few people who claim it's killed their engines but I an educated guess would be that they were pretty much dead to start with and they got a few extra trips out of the starting fluid.

Seem to remember it saying on the tin (I have been spared using it since I could afford things that were not absolutely on their last legs...) that it's not to be used in two strokes.

f.

[crackpotterpi...]

speaking from experience using ether based starting fluids such as easy start on large diesel engines,namely buses they can be harder to start if the fluid is used repeatedly.it can cause severe pre ignition in the bore and an explosive affect which can cause bore or piston damage.the only way they get "addicted" to it is when the carbon deposits getting removed from the valves/piston rings and the lubricant can also get removed from the bores this lowering the compression making it harder to start.
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1990 jc20 nsr125-sold,2003 cg 125-sold currently no bike.........might get another 2 stroke me thinks much more fun

[Pete.]

I had the dubious pleasure of having to demolish part of the building on top of Churchill's old wartime bunker in Westminster. On the roof was a plant room with a huge diesel engine in it, a backup power generator. Whilst rummaging around I round a box with some small canisters labelled 'starter fluid'. One got smashed somehow and sure enough it was ether-based fluid.

I enquired with my dad (who has been a diesel fitter his whole life) and he said yes on the engine would be a receptacle for the canister and you had the charge the engine with the fluid to start it from cold.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Pete.]

Incidentally, most penetrating fluids will do the same thing but not as effectively. If you remove the air filter and crank the engine whilst squirting the fluid in the chances are it'll fire. We have a rarely-used machine at work which has a worn governer and sometimes it sticks completely shut. Once the engine fires the vibrations allow the governer to move.

As crackpotterpig said it does make the engine rattle for a few seconds though.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good