Remote Ether Injector

roger dolan · March 13, 2018, 08:05:34 AM

I have a remote ether injector on my 8V71. I need a replacement canister with a .875 threaded end. I can't find anything but 1". The 7/8 must have been from ancient times. The local auto parts store looked it up and it had discontinued all remote start equipment. However their books show an adapter .875to 1", but all discontinued. The 1" canister is common and can be bought most anywhere, but I need an .875 adapter. Is there anyone out there that can help me? I like to give the engine a little sniff when it is 50* of less. That saves on the starter and battery. P.S. The canister looks very much like a propane torch canister. Roger Dolan 4106

DoubleEagle · March 13, 2018, 08:41:39 AM

This is not the answer you want, but I offer it anyway. You really should not rely on ether to get going. It would be much easier on your engine to have a block heater. I had a remote injection system on a truck back in the eighties that my driver over applied, and it caused a hole in one piston which led to an overhaul. Ether is pretty explosive, and should only be considered when it is very cold (sub-zero) and you are desperate. A simple spring-cap injection port on the intake tubing would allow you to squirt some in from a spray can if you really must, but don't overdo it.

goutoe · March 13, 2018, 10:58:24 AM

My Bus is equipped with an ether cold start aid I'm not sure of the brand, actually I have never needed to use it, I have operated heavy equipment that needed ether to start and I do remember seeing the Kats brand on some of those, maybe Kats would have a conversion available to upgrade yours? look on E-Bay??? >>>>> John.

GnarlyBus · March 13, 2018, 11:19:51 AM

I'll second Double Eagle. I know it isn't what you asked but I highly recommend installing a coolant heater. They're like $50 on eBay and easy to find locally as well.

I used to turn the engine over for 5 seconds at a time and then rest for 15. Seeing all that white smoke and listening to the engine struggle to warm up pushed me to install a coolant heater. Easy to install! Now I run the little honda generator (if we aren't plugged in at an RV Park) for a 1-3 hours depending on how cold it is an when I tap that fear start switch it fires up instantly like I just had it running! I wish I'd have installed it the day I got the bus!

Imagine the engine wear that saves you from!

stevet903 · March 13, 2018, 11:24:16 AM

Is this what you are looking for ?

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/KAT33218

- Steve

eagle19952 · March 13, 2018, 11:45:32 AM

Everyone has an opinion and a experience with ether.Used properly it will not harm anything.

I can't count the cases of it that we sold and used for 40 years with no bad result.
If it's so bad why do they keep making it...why do companies keep buying it?

DoubleEagle · March 13, 2018, 12:16:42 PM

Quote from: eagle19952 on March 13, 2018, 11:45:32 AM
Everyone has an opinion and a experience with ether.Used properly it will not harm anything.

I can't count the cases of it that we sold and used for 40 years with no bad result.
If it's so bad why do they keep making it...why do companies keep buying it?

Because it works when used judiciously, but my complaint is with the remote units with the controls on the dash that don't let you get a feel for how much is being applied. It's very easy to overdo it with them, and not realize it.

Oonrahnjay · March 13, 2018, 12:36:57 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on March 13, 2018, 12:16:42 PM... It's very easy to overdo it with them, and not realize it.

And bad results are *truly* bad, truly bad.

TomC · March 13, 2018, 12:41:32 PM

If you know your engine won't start right away when it is cold and you can start it from the back, here's a trick. If you can safely reach the governor-turn on the engine from the back, hold the stop lever in with your thumb, start turning over the engine and then slowly release the stop lever-and the engine should just come up to speed. This happens because when you turn off the engine, the injection retards. Also you're not over feeding the engine getting all that white smoke. Good Luck,TomC

buswarrior · March 13, 2018, 01:38:01 PM

Kysor was one brand that made an ether auto injector.

The auto injector, when installed correctly, are wired into the starter circuit, have a temp sensor on the block. You only get ether when the block is cold enough, and when the engine is cranking.

That's the point. No operator error involved. No ether unless it is needed, and arrives in proper dosage while cranking.

Ether wrankles up more religious debate than all the TV preachers combined...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

DoubleEagle · March 13, 2018, 02:49:33 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on March 13, 2018, 01:38:01 PM
Kysor was one brand that made an ether auto injector.

The auto injector, when installed correctly, are wired into the starter circuit, have a temp sensor on the block. You only get ether when the block is cold enough, and when the engine is cranking.

That's the point. No operator error involved. No ether unless it is needed, and arrives in proper dosage while cranking.

Ether wrankles up more religious debate than all the TV preachers combined...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

That brand sounds very sophisticated, the one that killed by Cat engine involved pulling out a choke-like knob, and it kept spraying ether as long as it was out.

bobofthenorth · March 13, 2018, 03:59:06 PM

Quote from: roger dolan on March 13, 2018, 08:05:34 AM
I have a remote ether injector on my 8V71. I need a replacement canister with a .875 threaded end. I can't find anything but 1". The 7/8 must have been from ancient times. The local auto parts store looked it up and it had discontinued all remote start equipment. However their books show an adapter .875to 1", but all discontinued. The 1" canister is common and can be bought most anywhere, but I need an .875 adapter. Is there anyone out there that can help me?

If you're just talking about adapting from 3/4 thread to 1" that's a pretty trivial task for anyone with a lathe. You must know someone with a lathe. If not, tell your wife you need a lathe. When I told SWMBO that I needed a lathe she asked "What will you make?" I said "A bolt" She said "You can buy a bolt" You on the other hand have a piece you could build which clearly you CAN'T buy. I'd say go for it.

dtcerrato · March 13, 2018, 06:53:10 PM

We have ether injection system and it is precisely metered specifically for our IL671 Detroit.
One shot, no sorry - exactly what it needs & no more.

Iceni John · March 13, 2018, 07:15:21 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on March 13, 2018, 01:38:01 PM
Kysor was one brand that made an ether auto injector.

The auto injector, when installed correctly, are wired into the starter circuit, have a temp sensor on the block. You only get ether when the block is cold enough, and when the engine is cranking.

That's the point. No operator error involved. No ether unless it is needed, and arrives in proper dosage while cranking.

Ether wrankles up more religious debate than all the TV preachers combined...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

The Quick Start system in my bus is also like that, dispensing just one brief squirt into the intake horn above the blower, but only if the conditions are right and the gods are smiling auspiciously. So saying, I don't use it all, and I've used the 1/4" port instead for the turbo boost gauge's feeder tube. A proper block heater is in my future. When I bought my bus the seller said that I could squirt ether for one second only into the air intake, and that's how we started it one cold December day after several months of inactivity. That is the first and last time I've ever used ether - he stressed that a one second squirt was always enough.

John

Brassman · March 14, 2018, 12:51:26 AM

In So-Cal one would think you'd never need the ether. Up in the 48th parallel I've never needed ether to start my Cat 3208, but without the block heater going it is one ugly experience.