My engines are magnito and after choking to get fuel up to carb, I have gotten into the habit of giving them a little squirt of ether (motor cold). Seems to make kicking them off much easier.

Has anyone got any experience with this practice and will it damage anything?

Thanks,

BT

Your engine if you use too much and your hand if it gets in the way

Simply not worth it.......Too much at stake

Ether of any sort is just NOT a good idea. It may kick the motor over and get it going easier, but it can also kick back a lot harder than gasoline and snap/slice fingers. I've seen many Zenoahs that are one-flip runners, with magneto and gas, no help at all. Seems tuning and a bit of practice are the better path in this case.

With my US Engine 41cc and when I had the 23 cc I use WD-40. It makes a good starting fluid - matter of fact it's about the only "good" use I've found for it! So far it hasn't done any damage in 4 years to my 41 cc gasser.

Unlike Ether based starting fluid, WD-40 is a liquid and burns much slower, although a bit hotter than gasoline. It also is "vaporized" slightly as it is squirted into the engine, which makes it burn more easily than raw gas that is still in liquid form. Remember, it's not the "liquid" that burns, but the gasses given off as it evaporates/changes to gaseous state, that burn. You could, given enough effort, burn Coal (yeah, the black hard stuff) if it was a fine enough powder that it could be injected into the engine, and they have actually done experiments with "Coal dust' diesel engines.

If you have been starting your engines with ether long enough, they get a liking for it and won't start without it.

I am not sure but I think the very first internal combustion engine ran on coal dust??? Capt,n

You got me. . . anything is possible Cap.

CJ
The first internal combustion engine ran on GUN POWDER. Wonder what a rich mixture did
The first Diesel ran on coal dust

I don't think WD-40 burns at all. The old WD40 was pressurized with Pentane which did the burning. The newer WD40 uses a nonflammable propellant and will not work.

Don't tell that to my engine - - please!

I never heard of coal dust used in engines but it is used all the time in large steam boilers. The coal is pulverized and injected into the boiler just like oil would be.

I'm a professional chemist as well as an R/C flyer. I would never use ether at the flying field because of it volatility and flammability. Ether is hazardous enough to use in a well equipped chemical laboratory.

I do not think people are getting strait ether to start RC engines. Maybe the model diesel engine owners do. It is my opinion that the starting fluid you buy at walmart is not dangerous if used properly. And in small amounts only when needed. I am talking like in cold weather also. Captinjohn

Heck, a can of starting fluid was REQUIRED field box fodder when I was growing up. Dad used a squirt in the carb of his old Merco's to get them going in the winter....

NOW THERE IS A COUPLE OF SMART RC-ERS Capt,n J