Ether and Gauges

V

Victor Schreffler

.
Oct 30, 2019
148
Hi All,

Is there any serious consequence from the occassional shot of ether to
get the old girl going. (I first tried the hand priming, even letting
it spin with the compression release--then dropping it down while
turning. Nothing. One shot of ether and she's off and running.

Another issue--using Nigel Calder's helpful book, I've concluded that
the water temperature gauge is not functioning. Any one know of a fix
or what I would pay for replacement?

Thanks,

Victor
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Victor

Engine will be tired and the ether is acting as a pick-me-up each time (It's what I need in the morning!). I havwe always found that lifting thedecompression lever works but will depend on the state of the engine. Most experts will say that engine easystart or ether is not good for the engine but as the engine is 30 years old then i wouldnt worry too much.

The temp gauge can be checked quite easily by grounding one of the terminals an the meter shoul shoot over to full scale deflection. If you need a meter then I have a spare one in stock somewhere in the garage! Other problem could be the sensor which is located in the cooling manifold and finally it could be the wiring from the meter to sender. Drop me an email. steve@...Kind RegardsSteve Birch
 
I

imbissfrank

.
Mar 28, 2011
261
Victor,
I had a very very tired MD-6 back in '87. As I was travelling down the ditch, she finally gave up the ghost, so I called in a mechanic. He spent literally hours trying to start her, then he finally reached for the ether. By the time he emptied the can , the engine either threw a rod or something similar, at any rate - a loud BANG, and we buried her. I now have a Westerbeke, and have once or twice resorted to ether when she has been laid up for a long time. An occasional use is probably OK, but don't over do it. I mean this guy continually sprayed the ether into the intake until the can was empty!!.

Frank Gallardo
V-2184, Cin Cin
Victor Schreffler vsschreffler@... wrote:

Hi All,

Is there any serious consequence from the occassional shot of ether to
get the old girl going. (I first tried the hand priming, even letting
it spin with the compression release--then dropping it down while
turning. Nothing. One shot of ether and she's off and running.

Another issue--using Nigel Calder's helpful book, I've concluded that
the water temperature gauge is not functioning. Any one know of a fix
or what I would pay for replacement?

Thanks,

Victor
 
E

emmajen5

.
Feb 28, 2006
127
Victor,

I've had similar starting woes over the past and found a quick shot of
ether as a last resort always worked. Mechanics I've talked to all
say that used in moderation, it does no harm to the engine. I think
moderation is the key word here. As to using the decompression lever,
I had similar success to you until a local Vega owner told me that he
always turned the engine over for at least a very slow ten count
before he dropped the lever. I tried it and so far it's worked every
time. I was amazed. Diesels apparently like to have lots of fuel in
the cylinders to start and I think that's what this insures. Give it
a try if that's not what you're doing now.

Garry
"Raven" V. 2427
 
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