Topic: starting fluid

[slam750]

Anybody ever resort to starting fluid to get a 750 started? My 72 CB has been sitting for a few months in a cold garage and won't quite fire. It turns over fine on the button and the battery is fully charged I have KN filters so easy access to carbs. Should I try the starting fluid? Thanks

[Terry in Australia]

Go for it mate, I use it on my Suzuki GS1000S all the time when that stooopid vacuum operated petcock doesn't do the job. More than likely though, you've got crappy stale fuel (yes, it does "go off") in your tank, and probably at least one blocked jet. Cheers, Terry. 

[78 k550]

My Daddy alway's told me if you need starting fluid to start something, something isnt right or adjusted properly. I can honestly say I have never touched the stuff to start anything I have ever owned. Heard it was kinda hard on piston's. try closing the choke completely turn the throttle 1/4 turn and hit the starter. As soon as she fires up crack open the choke a little and let her come to life.

Paul.

[8 Track]

Starting fluid is sorta ok, but it has a different burn characteristic than gas, so don't go over board.  Of course, if you need it, you know it's time to open up the carbs and find out what's clogged!  Personally, I don't use it regularly on anything I own, but when the dirt bikes sit for too long and won't start, I give it a small squirt.  It always turns out the idle circuts are clogged.  Same may be true with your bike.  Or, it could be any other 20 or so things wrong.

[Objectionableone]

Give it a squirt.  I agree with the rest, remedy what is wrong before using starting fluid often.

[BobbyR]

I have used the stuff for years, it is kind of dangerous and do not keep your face anywhere near the carbs in the event of a flash back. What I have found works OK on my leaf blower and other small engines, is a squirt of spray Gumout. Give it a few seconds to vaporize and it will fire off nicely and less explosive than ether. I agree with the previous post, something is wrong that needs to be found.

[chstr1]

Go with the carb cleaner; not as bad as ether. 

[ofreen]

I don't like starting fluid for lots of reasons.  If a bike won't start in a cold garage, with old gas and cold oil, after sitting an extended time, try aiming a hair dryer at the intake tract.  Warming the intake tract reduces the amount of fuel condensation from the mixture inside the tract.  A lot of times, a minute is long enough.  I've been able to get cars and snowmachines to start at -30F with no other heat source using this trick, even though they crank over reeeeal slow.

[Steve F]

I have used the stuff for years, it is kind of dangerous and do not keep your face anywhere near the carbs in the event of a flash back. What I have found works OK on my leaf blower and other small engines, is a squirt of spray Gumout. Give it a few seconds to vaporize and it will fire off nicely and less explosive than ether. I agree with the previous post, something is wrong that needs to be found.

Yep, the carb cleaner works for me too.

[Hondell]

Hey good old WD40 works excellent as starting fluid. Adds a bit of lubrication also.

Rick

[slam750]

hey thanks for all the suggestions on the startin fluid. The Idea of the hair dryer to warm the intake tracs was interesting. What I did was put on old blanket over the bike on the the center stand and put a small electric space heater under the bike with the blanket acting like a tent to hold in the heat in. After about 3 hours I went out and she fired up. I took it out for a full warm up ride about 20 miles. Still will strip and clean carbs this spring.....Cheers

[OldSchool_IsCool]

So if I'm reading this thread right, a squirt or two of Gumout or WD40 would allow me to extend my riding season into the cold damp Michigan fall.  And that a small can of the stuff would be a good thing to have under the seat for road side emergencies during cold weather.

[Gordon]

I used Permatex gasket remover as a starting fluid on my crappy Toyota once, and it worked great.  Of course the only reason that I wasn't worried about doing that was because I just needed to get it started to drive it around front so the tow truck could pick it up and take it to the scrapyard!

[Jonesy]

I don't like using starter fluid on an older machine as it can creep up worn valve guides and build up under the valve cover. Enough build-up mixed with a hot enough motor and KA-BOOM! (Although I guess it would be easier to adjust your valves with the cover blown off...)

[Dave K]

I don't even try to start the bike in the spring without it. One little squirt and I save the battery and starter motor. I don't drown the engine, just a squirt.

[Terry in Australia]

Starter fluid is fine, and I see heaps of it used at classic motorcycle race meetings, because when you run really high compression and no electric start sometimes it's hard to light the fire, particularly with high octane fuel. (the higher the octane numbers, the more resistance to ignition) Cheers, Terry.