Ether - a time and place for everything

[Kevin Trent <trentkc@domain.elided>]

While I can't argue with Fred and Michael, but ether sure works to start my
ol' beater berlina in  the winter.   The beater lives outside, and its
purpose for existance is to provide an anode to save the good alfas (who
live in the garage), by providing an alternative for poor weather
conditions.  It has to start, and warming it up or waiting is not an an
alternative.   The only problem with the ether trick is a propensity to
backfire through the carbs and ignite the air cleaners, however the
resulting entertainment seems to please most observers, as indicated by
their bemused looks.   And I'm not concerned with damaging the engine (or
anything else) on this bottom-of-the-food-chain candidate for nastiest
daily driven alfa in...North America?   //kct

>Subject: ETHER!
>
>I don't think the medical profession uses it any more, why should you?  Not
>good enough? OK. Using ether may be ok to help start diesel truck engines
>but not Alfas.  Properly tuned and Alfas in good working order need no
>strange assists to get them started.  Fred
>
>Subject: Ether: explosive results
>
>I concur. Ether is (or was) used for starting engines in very cold weather. 
>In these days of multi grade and synthetic oils an engine that won't start 
>because it's too da*ned cold should be left alone. Get it into a garage, 
>plug in its block heater (if you left it somewhere that cold it should have 
>one), wait 'til the temperature warms up enough to start it in the normal 
>manner. Ether basically explodes uncontrollably in the combustion chamber. 
>it turns the engine over alright but at what cost?

------------------------------