Starter fluid? Model A

[KCW]

Just fixed a broken fan in my A. Runs great! Took it out and at one point it stalled out and I never figured out why. Had to let it sit for a few minutes and then I got it going again and got back home.

This got me thinking: a friend of mine told me that you can buy “starter” fluid to help an engine get started in a pinch. How does this work. Can you use this in a model A! Where do you put it? Shoot it into the carburetor?

I was thinking it might be something good to have in the trunk for emergencies. I learned the hard way to bring with an a fire extinguisher and extra radiator fluid always. Should I be getting starter fluid too?

[Sunny the Model A]

No. A's should start on the second compression stroke every time regardless of the temperature or weather. if it stalls out randomly and you have to wait a minute. that sounds like the coil is overheating, mine did that in warm until i removed the heater manifold in the summer time. now the reason to run away from that stuff is one it's an excellent solvent and it washes down the cylinder walls and it makes the engine dependent on it. and secondly, it's just a band aid for the actual problem. fix the problem right: don't use starter fluid. unless you live at the south pole in a blizzard the A will never need starter fluid. also if you need to carry extra coolant that's also a problem since A's should hold their liquor so to speak.

[nkaminar]

Starter fluid will let you know if the problem is fuel or ignition. It will replace the fuel system so if no fuel is getting to the engine it will start and run for a few seconds. If it does not start on starter fluid then there is an ignition system problem.

Sunny in Post #2 above has some good points. It is not really necessary to carry starter fluid. You can squirt some gasoline in the carburetor instead and that will provide you with the answer to fuel or ignition.

To test if the problem is a hot coil, cool it down with a wet rag or some ice. Vapor lock on a really hot day is another possible cause of the car stopping or not starting.

Starting fluid is very handy for Diesel engines that do not have glow plugs. Cold Diesel engines cannot ignite the fuel but the high compression will ignite the starter fluid. If the Diesel has glow plugs the starter fluid can cause damage to the engine. Another trick to start cold Diesel engine is to have a fire in the intake manifold to heat the incoming air. My Diesel pickup has an electric heater in the intake manifold and glow plugs.

[katy]

Starter fluid used to be pressurized Ether, donno if they still use Ether or use a substitute.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Originally Posted by katy

Starter fluid used to be pressurized Ether, donno if they still use Ether or use a substitute.

It’s got ether in it, and carbon monoxide as a propellant. I see CRC make one with an upper cylinder lubricant.

[Bigsnapper43]

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I see broken ring lands in small engines. Also blown head gaskets. Starter fluid is the last chance after every thing else has been tried.

[Big hammer]

Use the tools that come with your A, pull the choke and after 7 turns you should have fuel dripping out of the carburetor ! No fuel it’s probably fuel related, if you have fuel dripping it’s probably electrical ! Notice I said probably ! One tool everyone should carry is an owner’s instruction manual, the dripping out of the carburetor is in the manual !!!!

With a engine hot and no start, cranks over but doesn’t fire, I pull the choke for a couple of cranks, this doesn’t happen very often with my A the hot no start but sometimes. With my riding lawn mower after it’s hot and I shut it off and to restart it I have learned just pull the choke and it restarts instantly without cranking and cranking !

[ronn]

I use carb cleaner to see if an A is having a fuel problem.


correct, you shouldnt need to carry that with you.

[Jim Brierley]

Sometimes the dist. points will not ground properly, or at all. If this happens again, just move the advance lever up and down and it may re-start.

[katy]

Re: Starter fluid.
FWIW, Yesterday I had a problem w/a small (5 hp) engine that didn't want to start. It had been sitting since last fall. Cross draft carburetor. Looking around for something to use to squirt some gas in the throat to prime it, I spotted a can of WD-40. So methinks, give it a try. Squirted a bit into the carb, 2 or 3 pulls on the starter rope and away it went. One never knows what's going to work or not.

[gdmn852]

Hello, I have used WD 40 as a starting fluid for small engines also , The Model A seems to be able to start on its own with use of choke and GAV . Starting fluid with either will clean oil off the cylinder walls if used too much. I recall one of the Hemmings Motor News trucks needed an engine rebuild after them attempting to start it with starting fluid in , then leaving it sit all winter, in the spring engine was stuck , rings rusted to cylinder walls.

[Y-Blockhead]

Starter Fluid?? Is that anything like "Blinker Fluid"?

[Canton_Model_A's]

let us not forget about the Headlight Lubricant,

[Clem Clement]

I would be terrified to use starter fluid. I would think any spark around would detonate the fluid everywhere. bite out of a valve/ bad timing/ broken ring etc,
Clem

[updraught]

Here, a can is called "Start Ya Bastard".

"People also ask
Is start ya bastard bad for your car?
Nulon "Start Ya Bastard" Instant Engine Starter (SYB) promotes easy starting of all diesel and petrol engines (both two-stroke and four-stroke). Preserve battery condition and it is totally harmless to engines. One short spray of Nulon is all that is necessary to start the most stubborn of engines."

I never leave home without it ... Says something I guess.
You can also take out a spark plug, tip it up, fill it with fuel, and put it back.
Don't ask me how it then gets started with the back wheel jacked up.

For other unsafe tips.
https://youtu.be/X8WfjkgqK9A?si=l6TU7sdm4xM_7BzY

[David in San Antonio]

I wonder what the best kind of wood is for Model A clutches?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by updraught

For other unsafe tips.
https://youtu.be/X8WfjkgqK9A?si=l6TU7sdm4xM_7BzY

Love it!!

[updraught]

Originally Posted by David in San Antonio

I wonder what the best kind of wood is for Model A clutches?

Not sure. Friends of ours are both doctors. They go on trips to the remote Canning Stock Route with members of the local university (studying rock art and culture). While they doctor the locals.
Apparently, on one trip a sump plug (oil pan) fell out and was lost.
The stock route is an unmaintained track. It is the longest stock route in the world.
The Aboriginal with them whittled down a piece acacia (I think it was, that is wattle), jammed it in the hole and screwed it up. It held for the rest of the trip.

[ronn]

I wonder what the best kind of wood is for Model A clutches?



Hickory has a nice shine............. and works great in the outback for BBQ!

[katy]

Some people used wood to reline Model T transmission bands.