Start-up After Winter Hibernation

[JayChicago]

Two schools of thought. What do you-all think? (6 volt original engines)

I have a friend who always starts his cars using starting fluid. Says he wants to save wear and tear on the starter. He does this even if storage was only a week or so.

I don't use starter fluid, just crank in five second intervals, 60 second cool-down. Do this until the carb gets re-filled and it starts on its own. My theory is better to get some oil circulation before it fires. But it will take several rounds of cranking; it is a lot of work on the starter.

Your thoughts on this? Any other "best-practice" advice for start-up after storage?

 

[marko39]

I wouldn’t use starter fluid unless it was flooded. If priming is needed a little gas works just fine.

 

[tubman]

I'm away for 6 months at a time. I have a cheap restaurant ketchup (catsup?) squeeze bottle with some gasoline in it for just such purposes.

Starting fluid is for winter use only.

 

[Ron Pilger]

Starting fluid is too dry, in terms of lubrication value, for usage. Better would be a manual gas prime, or installing an inline electric fuel pump, in my opinion.

 

[rockfla]

Jay
Living here in North Florida this is NEVER an issue HOWEVER my 32 has sat now for almost a year. I pulled the plugs and shot a squirt of MMO in the cylinders and spun the car over with NO plugs in it to circulate the oil and pull fuel back up to the pump and carb. I felt like that saves the strain on the starter. Then re-install the plugs and let it RIP.

 

[JayChicago]

So what's wrong with starting fluid? It sure is simple and safe to store and use. Is it doing some harm for the engine to fire on the starting fluid?

 

[rockfla]

It "washes" the cylinder walls of lubrication in simple terms!!! OR common theory I've always heard

 

[Bob NH]

Interesting theories on start fluid. My coupe has had a long rest in a warm basement and yesterday i took it off blocks, cranked it over several times switch off, electric pump on, them switch on,no start ! Squirt of fluid and bingo, off and running ! Not enough fluid to give the cyls a "bath" ! Just how it works for me.

 

[don35]

WD 40 works well as a starting fluid without washing down the cylinders. Learned this trick from a small engine mechanic.

 

[1952henry]

I have used Justice Brothers penetrating fluid on stubborn snow blower. Fires right up after summer slumber. May try my Seafoam DeeP Creep or Free all sometime.

 

[RalphG]

Whether it is spring start up or just been a week or so since the old Merc has run, priming the leaky Holley "teapot" is just a natural fact of life. My trick is to use chain saw mix 32:1 gas/oil for priming. That way there is actually a little oil in it to prevent drying out the cylinders. Fires right up without the endless starter cranking that will wear down the battery.

 

[blucar]

I learned a long time ago that WD-40 is an excellent starting fluid for any 2 or 4 stroke engine. Starting fluid is a no-no in my book, it will wash the lubricant off of the cylinder walls.. I like to squirt a little MMO into the cylinders after pulling the plugs, let the engine sit for a couple days then crank the engine over a few times before the plugs are reinstalled.
Installing an electric fuel pump that is switched for momentary use, to prime the fuel system is one of the best solutions for staring an engine that has sat for an extended period of time.