Question about Either -
I have acquired an OS 40FP and Tower 40FP, both with diesel heads, along with a couple of gallons of fuel. Have no idea how old the fuel is, but both cans are full.
Engines are identical, just different trade names. Plan to build a twin plane.

From reading all of the posts, I understand the biggest problem, is Either evaporating from the fuel.
My questions -

1. Is this really a problem, if you use a little care in keeping the containers closed?

2. What symptoms to I look for, if the either ratio is too low?

3. Liquid either. ( Starting Fluid ) Just isn’t available. If I need to add either, are there any guidelines for adding either. ( How will I know when it needs more, or what to look for if too much is added.)

4. Every truck stop, has starting fluid in spray cans, and it is cheap.
Any ideas on how to recover it from the spray cans, and still have a little either left?

I haven’t checked at the drug stores to see if either can be purchased there, but have ruled that out. I’m sure it would be more trouble than it’s worth - if possible - and my bet - cheaper to just buy more fuel -

Unfortunately, there are no local experts on diesel, so I have no help.
Both engines are in near - new condition. Have seen one of them running on diesel, so have a least one benchmark to work from. The gentleman I bought the engine from, has moved away, and my expert is gone. Haven’t checked the other engine yet.

Thanks

LEM

Either one or the other.

Ether is what is used.

Engines are harder to start and run hotter without enough ether. The engine will be over compressed I believe.

John Deere starter fluid was said to have the highest ether content of starter fluid. Put the starter fluid cans in the freezer. After chilling, invert can and depress nozzle to relieve pressure and use can opener to pop a hole in the bottom of the can. Pour contents into your container.

There are many types of ether. I don't know what type is used for model engines or where you can get it..

If the ether content gets low the engine will require higher compression and will run hot, you would need to run some known good fuel to have a reference point. John Deere has the purest starting ether. If your cans are full and haven't been opened many times the fuel is most likely OK. When the fuel is good and the engine set up properly the compression will not feel much different than a glow engine. Another way to tell if the ether is not adequate is that the engine will run well at high throttle settings but will not idle well.

LEM,

Two ways to dispense starting fluid into your fuel: Just squirt it into the fuel or use the method mentioned above.

I've never heard of freezing it, but holding the can upside down and squirting will remove the propellant and pressure, just leave starting fluid. You can then open up the can and pour the contents into another container.

I would just squirt the fluid to replace evaporated ether. Dispensing into another container is probably best if you are mixing a batch of fuel from scratch.

I believe keeping the lid tight and storing fuel in a cool place will lessen or prevent ether evaporation.

I use commercially mixed fuels.

If you really want to understand diesel fuel, get a copy of "Dr. Diesel's Diary". Eric Clutton knows his stuff.

George

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I’m out of excuses, and it’s time to start the plane!

Life was hard before the spell checker, now they need to install a grammar checker.
What can I say? The spell checker said it was OK.

Thanks again for the help-

LEM

Here are adress to Doctor Diesel: http://www.cafes.net/doctordiesel/

Same as George, keep the lid tight and store in refrigator or in a place there are allways cold. Ether will not evaporate. I has stored 2-3 lids in some year without problem. Engine starting easy each time.

Jens Eirik

I stored a quart and a half (two quart cans) of Davis diesel fuel in my basement for about 10 years while I was not running diesels. When I used the fuel it ran fine. I would not store diesel fuel in a refrigerator unless it was an explosion-proof rated refrigerator. I've not used the starter fluid ether source, but a friend who did said that the exhaust would run black regardless because of other ingredients in the starter fluid.

Jim

LEM,

Make this can and use a gas rated fuel pump. The pickup has a pipe to the bottom of the can. Go to the Davis Diesel web site and look under "customer reviews" for a full description of how to make this can. Your fuel will stay fresh !




Francis

I have seen this can in use and am a flying bud of Francis's and can vouch for the fact it works very well.

I got lucky with the can. An old gentleman gave me his, set up for gasoline. Shouldn't even have to change the fuel line. I have been using basicly the same thing for glow fuel. Works great.

Thanks
LEM