Ether
 

I have some HEET brand starting fluid, it doesent list its specific contents except diethyl ether and petrolium hydrocarbons. Anyone have experience replenishing ether content in model dieselfuel? Im wondering where to get the best/most pure ether for replenishing evaporated content. Any other substitutes anyone have experience with?

Thanks in advance

RE: Ether
 

Any time this issue has been raised, John Deere starting fluid gets the nod for purity.

RE: Ether
 

Dont have the John Deere brand here in my town. I have used "quickstart" brand, in a white/brown/orange can with excellent results for quite a few years. Try what you have and see if it works - the cans are pretty cheap.

AJC

RE: Ether
 

Haven't looked so I'll ask this probably dumb question. Can you buy starting fluid in a bucket/jug or is it always pressurized and you have to spray the whole contents into your blend??

RE: Ether
 

I havent seen any non-pressurized/non-aerosol starting fluids around, perhaps somone else knows more. I do remember seeing some starting ether in a metal can with a tapered top and a red cap and label but it had to be at least 5 years ago that I saw it and it looked ancient then so Im assuming all starting fluids are aerosol these days.

RE: Ether
 

I haven't seen any lately that is not in a spray can. Some find the spray convenient to top off some lost ether in their fuel. If you are mixing a batch of fuel, you might want to hold the can upside down until the propellant is removed, then punch two holes at opposite sides near the top and pour the contents into your mix. Two concerns: Make sure ALL the pressure is gone before punching the holes, and adjust your batch size so that the entire can is used so you won't have to store it in another container.
Some have good luck using teflon pipe tape to seal their fuel cans.

BTW, check the ether content in the starting fluid. Some have more ether than others. John Deere seems to be the best. Others may have an equal amount...whatever works.

George

RE: Ether
 

To extract ether from a spray can, I take a jar of appropriate size and punch a small hole in the lid. Swap the nozzle from your quick start to a nozzle that has tubing attached,,, like WD 40. Simply spray the ether into the jar with the tubing inserted in the hole. This releases the propellant and allows you to extract exactly as much ether as you need. No waste and the ether you don't need stays safely in the spray can for the next time.

Ether loss in fuel can be eliminated by making up a mix of just oil, kerosene and additive ahead of time. I use a 50% ether, 24% kerosene and 24% oil mix along with MEKP for the additive at 2% for my general fuel needs in small engines. The pre mix is 48% kerosene, 48% oil and 4% MEKP. I fill up my fuel bottle to nearly the halfway point with this mix and then spray in the ether directly into the bottle till it's near full. This gives me my fuel for the day (1/2As) and I seldom need to take any home with me. This prevents your fuel from ever going stale due to ether loss which is really bad news on small engines, I've found.