How To Use Starting Fluid On A Fuel Injected Vehicle

Download Article

Download Article

Starting fluid is a liquid that helps internal combustion engines operate properly. Starting fluid is often used to start cars the engines of which have been poorly maintained, or for starting older cars when the temperature falls below freezing.

1. ane

   Store starting fluid safely. Starting fluid is highly flammable and combustible. Store and handle them safely. For case, practise not place your tin of starting fluid on a hot engine or spray it near a hot engine.^[1]

2. 2

   Do not use excessive amounts of starting fluid. Likewise much starting fluid can damage your engine. Consult your vehicle user's manual and the user directions appended to the starting fluid in order to decide the advisable volume of starting fluid for your vehicle.^[2]

   • Typically, a couple of brusque bursts of starting fluid should exist adequate to get your engine started.

   Advert

3. three

   Check to brand certain you tin can use starting fluid with your vehicle. Starting fluid cannot be used with all vehicles. For instance, if your vehicle is equipped with glow plugs, or if your vehicle uses diesel, you will non be able to utilise starting fluid.^[3] Bank check your vehicle's user guide to ensure starting fluid is appropriate for employ with your vehicle.^[4]

   • Starting fluid also cannot be used in ii-stroke engines, such as those in lawnmowers.^[5]
   • If starting fluid is not appropriate for your vehicle, try an culling similar carburetor cleaner.^[half-dozen]

4. 4

   Choose a quality starting fluid. Only utilise trusted brands when selecting a starting fluid. A good starting fluid should starting time the engine quickly with a minimal application volume. Ask your local car shop what sort of starting fluid they recommend for your vehicle.^[seven]

Advertising

1. one

   Locate your air intake. Air intakes are devices on all vehicles that allow the engine to mix air with fuel, thus making combustion possible. While the air intake will always be attached to the engine housed beneath the hood, different manufacturers produce their vehicles to different specifications, and and so air intakes are located in unlike locations on different vehicles. Consult your vehicle's user guide to identify the location of your air intake.^[eight]

   • Air intakes ofttimes look like metal tubes. They might be pulverization-coated or painted in the same color as the vehicle.

2. 2

   Spray a pocket-size amount of starting fluid into the air intake. Continue the can of starting fluid upright. Aim the can'due south nozzle at the air intake from about 12 inches (twenty centimeters) away. Spray the starting fluid for about ii seconds, and then try to turn the engine over. If the engine still doesn't turn over, spray another ii-2d blast.^[9]

   • Y'all many need to remove the filter roofing your air intake to practise this.^[10]

3. 3

   Have your vehicle to a mechanic if it doesn't start. If the engine won't commencement even with an appropriate application of starting fluid, the engine itself might non be the trouble. For instance, your automobile's ignition switch might be faulty, or some other arrangement could exist to blame. Talk to a reputable mechanic in your expanse and get their opinion on how to handle the trouble.^[xi]

Advertisement

1. 1

   Adjust the asphyxiate. If your vehicle has a carburetor (a device that mixes air and fuel) and it will not get-go, check the choke. If your choke is closed when y'all try to turn the vehicle over, open it. If it was open when you try to turn the vehicle over, close it.^[12]

   • Adjusting the asphyxiate is also a expert thought when your car has a carburetor and starts, just so turns off.
   • If yous cannot locate your choke, consult your vehicle'southward user manual.

2. two

   Check for moisture. If your motorcar has a hard fourth dimension starting on rainy days, expect within the distributor cap. If you lot see wet within the distributor cap, turn the cap upside down and spray information technology with mechanic's solvent (or, if you lot have a canteen of solvent rather than a spray tin, cascade some of the solvent into the cap). Swish the solvent around, then pour it out. Utilize a clean rag to wipe out whatsoever additional solvent before replacing the cap.^[13]

   • The distributor cap is a small-scale embrace that protects your car's distributor.

3. 3

   Check your battery. If y'all don't fifty-fifty hear a sputter when yous turn the ignition, the terminal cables to the bombardment are probably not connected properly. If the terminal connections look corroded, jam a screwdriver between the connector and the concluding post. Twist the screwdriver to tighten the connection. Try the engine. If it starts, make clean or replace the bombardment cables.^[xiv]

   • When adjusting the connector and terminal post, utilize a screwdriver with an insulated or wooden handle.

Advertisement

Add New Question

• Question

  My motorcar won't start even afterward I sprayed starting fluid. What can I do?

  

  Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and Full general Managing director of West Declension Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified motorcar shop. Tom has over x years of feel in the auto industry. Mod Tire Dealer Mag voted his shop one of the Best ten Operations in the Country.

  

  Car Technician

  Expert Respond

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

  Gently hitting your starter with a hammer or other blunt object to loosen it. You tin can requite the starter, which is located on the motor, a light tap with a moderately heavy object. If this works and the car starts, yous should drive to an auto repair shop to get it checked out.

Inquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your email accost to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Near This Article

Article Summary 10

Starting fluid is a liquid that tin aid your engine work properly. To use starting fluid on your machine, y'all'll need to check if it's advisable for your vehicle and apply information technology to the air intake. Retrieve to never spray it on a hot engine, since it's highly combustible. Check your user manual to see if starting fluid tin can be used on your car, since you can't utilise it on diesels and some other models. If you lot can't use it on your vehicle, endeavour a carburetor cleaner. If you tin employ it, spray a short burst of the fluid into your engine'southward air intake. This typically looks like a metal pipe and is usually found somewhere around the engine. After, try starting your car. If your engine fails to first subsequently you've applied starting fluid, take your vehicle to a mechanic to examine the problem. For tips from our Auto co-author on how to identify a expert brand of starter fluid, keep reading!

Did this summary help you lot?

Thanks to all authors for creating a folio that has been read 122,542 times.

Did this commodity help you?

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Starting-Fluid#:~:text=Aim%20the%20can's%20nozzle%20at,spray%20another%20two%2Dsecond%20blast.

Share this post