Hot take: Old timer said never trust ether on a cold start, I ignored him twice

He told me if the glow plugs are weak, starting fluid will crack a piston crown, especially on a 7.3 Powerstroke. I used it on a -10 degree morning in Buffalo and sure enough, two weeks later that #4 cylinder went, cost me $1,800. Ever seen one actually let go from ether, or is he just old school paranoid?

2 comments

2 Comments

kellyjones1mo ago

Did the old timer happen to mention how the glow plugs were barely cycling before he told you that? Cause I used to think ether was just a quick fix, no big deal, until I watched a buddy's 6.0 spit a glow plug out and then the cylinder followed a week later, that changed my whole view on the stuff.

miles_garcia29d ago

Man, you hit the nail on the head there @kellyjones. That 6.0 story is the exact kinda nightmare that keeps me from even keeping a can of ether in the truck anymore. I've seen guys swear by it for old tractors and stuff, but the risk ain't worth it when those glow plugs are already half dead. It's like the ether just finds the weakest link and says "boom." And the worst part is, the damage ain't always right away, it creeps up on you a week or two later when you think you got lucky. So yeah, I'm with you on that, a little patience with the block heater or just cranking it longer beats a new engine any day.