The Best Engine Starting Fluids (Review) in 2020

Buying the right engine starting fluid for your vehicle is essential. While knowing the best starting fluids that are available is a great place to start, it is important to get as much information about the product and how it works as possible. In this section of the guide, we look at starting fluids in more detail and discuss what you need to look for when buying a starting fluid. We also explore how to use starting fluid on a fuel injected car and whether starting fluid is bad for gas engines. Finally, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about starting fluid.

What to Look for When Buying a Starting Fluid

If you have a vehicle that runs on gasoline or diesel, then getting it started can be difficult. This is particularly true if the vehicle has been sat idle for some time or you are trying to start it on a very cold morning. Continually turning the engine over always runs the risk of flooding the engine and damaging the starter and ignition. Starting fluid can solve this problem, but it is a combination of highly volatile ingredients and it is essential that you buy one that is suitable for your type of engine.

While the great majority of starting fluids are suitable for use with cars that run on gasoline, they are not all suitable for diesel vehicles. Of the starting fluids that are suitable for use in diesel engines, not all can be used with diesel cars that have glow plugs. Knowing your vehicle and its engine are therefore vital before you purchase a starting fluid.

Another consideration is whether the fluid can be used with a flooded engine. If you have already undertaken several attempts to start your vehicle, then you may have already flooded the engine. Some starting fluids can be used under these conditions, while others are very clear that they should not be used. Check the instructions on the can carefully before using.

Knowing the ether content is also important. In most starting sprays ether or diethyl ether is the main combustion component. The higher the ether content, the easier it is to create a spark with the starting fluid. This means that high ether starting fluids are the fluids of choice in extremely cold or humid conditions. However, it also means that they are the most volatile and require the most care during their use.

Some starting fluids also contain corrosion inhibitors and upper cylinder lubricants. These can help reduce issues with your starter over the longer term, reducing the need to continually use starting fluid. However, these additives need to be taken into consideration when using the starter fluid to ensure your safety.

How to Use Starting Fluid on a Fuel Injected Car

Starting fluid is most commonly used in a carbureted engine. In such a vehicle the starting fluid is sprayed either into the carburetor bore, the spark plug hole, or the engine intake near the air filter.

A fuel injection system replaces the carburetor. Instead of relying on suction that is created by intake air, a fuel injection system atomizes fuel under pressure through a small nozzle. While starting fluid can still be used it needs to be sprayed into the injectors. Only use a short spray of a couple of seconds and ensure that it is carefully directed to where it needs to go.

If you are unsure where to direct the spray, then refer to your car’s manual, the manufacturer’s information on the starting fluid, or a trusted mechanic. Starting fluid is highly flammable and using too much or using it in the wrong place can severely damage your engine.

Is Starting Fluid Bad for Gas Engines?

There is little agreement on whether using starting fluid is bad for your gas engine. Some experts suggest that its volatility means that it should be avoided at all costs. Others suggest that used correctly, starting fluid is not bad for a gas engine. However, if your car continually will not start, it is important to find out the cause. Using too much starting fluid or using it incorrectly can damage your engine, cause an explosion, and potentially damage your health.

Best Engine Starting Fluid FAQ:

Q: What is a starting fluid?

A: Starting fluid is a liquid that is used to start car engines, either when there is a problem with the ignition system or during extreme weather conditions, including extreme cold and high humidity. Starting fluid contains highly explosive chemicals, usually ether. This has a lower combustion point that either gasoline or diesel, so it ignites easier and generates more force to get the engine to turn over.

However, because starting fluid is so combustible, great care needs to be taken in its use. It should only be sprayed in short bursts and used in very small amounts. It should only be sprayed in specific areas and used only as directed by the manufacturer. Continual use can mask or exacerbate problems with your engine, so you should take the time to investigate why your car won’t start and check whether it is an engine problem that needs to be fixed.

Q: Can I use starting fluid on a 2 stroke?

A: Starting fluid is generally not recommended for use on a 2 stroke engine. Starting fluid does not have lubricating qualities unless they are added to the fluid. Due to the nature of a two-stroke engine lack of lubrication can be damaging. Two stroke engine lubrication is achieved by mixing oil with the fuel. If such engines are started regularly using starting fluid, they do not receive an adequate supply of lubrication to the cylinders and crankshaft.

If the engine hasn’t been started in a while, then the issues that this can cause multiply significantly. Starting fluid is a strong solvent and can strip any residual oil from the cylinder walls and cranks; this further reduces lubrication and causes significant engine damage.

Q: My diesel engine is hard to start on cold mornings, will starting fluid help this problem?

A: Starting fluid can help start a diesel engine on a cold morning as long as the fluid that is being used is compatible with a diesel engine. Not all starting fluids are suitable for diesel engines, so it is important to check the fluid carefully. Even those fluids that are suitable for diesel engines, should not be used in engines that have glow plugs or preheat systems. In these engines, the starting fluid could pre-ignite, leading to engine damage and potentially injuring you.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick is Gumout 5072866 Starting Fluid. It is designed specifically for gasoline engines. The fluid inhibits corrosion and lubricates the upper cylinders. This helps create faster and smoother starting in all weather conditions, including high humidity and extreme cold. Gumout Starting Fluid should be sprayed directly into either the carburetor, air intake, or air cleaner for a few seconds, before starting the engine.

Sources:

1. Starting fluid - Wikipedia
2. How to Use Starting Fluid - wikiHow