Probably 15 years ago it would work. I used it to eliminate Wasp nest too! it made an excellent Flame Thrower with the tube inserted into the nozzle. it was a very sad day when I used a new can after they changed the formula and the spray put out my match when spraying at the Wasps!!! (Run Ken, Run)!!!!!!
@@Shootingstarcomics I found out that using brake cleaner with a lighter will not only take out a rather large wasp but also the lightshade and require painting the ceiling... as long as the wasp was dead it was worth it! Except that I haven't repainted the scorched ceiling.. this was many years ago... I live on my own
In the 70's I used WD-40 as starting fluid for several gasoline tractors during a cold Minnesota winter. I tried that trick last winter on a generator and it didn't work. WD-40 obviously has changed through the years.
WD 40 does work. I used WD40 to start an engine in the summer of 2022. It may not necessarily be the content of the can that has the volatility, but the propellant. If it changed over the years, that could be the reason. The can I used is probably several years old. A test could be to spray it and see if you can ignite it like a torch. If it ignites with a strong flame, it should work. Many household aerosols from over 30 years ago were all extremely flammable and will probably work as something that will get an engine to start. Don't use anything that will leave a residue like hairspray. Although I never tried it, I'm positive it will leave a residue that will gum up everything. Disinfectants like Lysol worked like flamethrowers. Most likely to start an engine. Please post a video on a multitude of sprays that work as starting fluid. That would be interesting,
WD-40 components are not really volatile as for instance BC so do not ignite well. In a diesel it will but not in gasoline engines. Indeed good to store stuff. Put it in carburators for winterizing or longtime storage to prevent drying out of the seals and membranes then drain or flush out with normal fuel for usage. Great cleaner btw. I think main component is N-Hexane.
I believe the old WD-40 product used butane and propane as propellant, those gases would help start a small engine; newer WD-40 uses carbon dioxide as a propellant. The formulation of WD-40 and its propellant is different in every country.
As a mechanic I always have and use brake cleaner as a cleaner and also use it for starting fluid. I buy 20 liter pail so I can refill my pump sprayer. Appreciate all your videos. Thankyou from Dartmouth NS
Yes we get a 20 liter container of brakeclean for the workshop and its very useful, it is of course just petrol without the additives and is exactly what is used for cigarette lighter fluid, so being basically petrol is definitely going to run an engine, just might knock a little.
I could have guessed that it wouldn't work as starting fluid...but another thought came to mind. With the spray tube thingy on the can it would make an easy way to winterize motors: pull the plug, give it some spray, and you're good to go. (Of course run the carb dry too).
i have always kept a can in older cars to spray on distrbuter cap an wires when a very damp enviroment , but cant say if its safe to do on newer higher voltage coils WD40= "water displacement formula 40 " good vid , thanks
the old formula where they used propane as the propellant it certainly would , but the new propellant is carbon dioxide and it isnt flammable , so now it is just a water displacement and penetrant
I used to use WD-40 when storing my snowmobiles engines for the summer. I wish people would research before asking these questions. WD-40 is a water displacer, thats what the W - D stands for. That's why I used it on my snowmobles. Good video , now everyone can stop asking.
Exactly what I was going to suggest someone could use it in place lol f an engine fogger if they wanted to store their small engine for a longer period than just a short off season
@@kirkthebeerslinger I use it in my generators as well. Its a lubricant and a water displacer so yes, it works great on all engines. Normally, on 4 cycle engines, you can get away with a squirt of oil in the cylinder(s) and just hand turn it over or rope start slowly. I generally like to remove the main fuel line and shoot some in there, then let it enter the carburetor by pulling it over, then remove the plug and put some in the cylinder as well. I found by leaving fuel in even with fuel treatment, it puts stress on the needle and seat. With snowmobiles, the needle has an internal spring that can weaken over time from fuel pressure, causing flooding issues and the need to rebuild. I noticed this more and more with newer snowmobiles. The older ones could have old rancid fuel in them for years, clean them up and they would start right up.
They used to use propane as a propellent but I think they changed it . The propellant used in WD-40 now is carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is an inert gas which helps empty the can. Plus, the addition of CO2 reduces the number of VOCs, which helps towards preserving the environment. And NOT good as a starting fuel !!!!
Very true, they changed it several years ago. Used to I could use a can of WD40 with a lighter like a flame thrower and kill wasp nests in my shop from 10ft away. After they changed it it ruined a lot of my fun.
To be honest, I would never have thought it would work! I had a Ford van back in the 80's that if it was at all damp out, I had to spray the distributor and spark plug wires with WD40. Worked every time and immediately started. I even had the wires replaced and still had to do it. I kept a can under the front seat. Water Displacement 40!
Used to work with the older formulation, back when they used propane as the propellant. Now they use carbon dioxide to make it "greener" Also made it useless as a starting spray. For the most part now I use a refillable spray bottle with pre-mix in it. Atomizes the fuel and lubes at the same time.
I also use the refillable spray bottle approach filled with premixed "engeneered fuel" (long lasting fuel like the one sold by Stihl) so it remains good over a year.
In Brazil, where there are lots of alcohol engines, when there is a problem in the starting system in cold weather (alcohol needs to be warm), a spray of WD40 in the air collector will always make the engine work. Old trick!
A few years ago I had used Deep Woods Off To start my saw , not sure if it was the repellant or the propellant that made it run. Wonder if mixing a bit of the repellant in the fuel would keep the bugs away. Yes we all know about the potential dangers and damage this may cause to you or your saw.
I,m not sure about WD40, but Degreaser works well in two stroke engines. It depends how flammable WD40 is. I use ''Australian Export, Degreaser'' for two strokes fires first pull every time!!
Used to use it as a kid all the time to get Ski-Doo Elans running. Not so much to start but to keep running as we adjusted the carb. Worked well. Much safer than starting fluid and has lubrication. Not a good test at all.
Love your videos I have been using them as a guide to fixing an Ariens 8524. I replaced spark plug, hoses,gas on/off switch, gaskets for carburetor and the carburetor itself. Having done all this I was able to get it started! Thank you. 1 of the problems I have now is trying to get it to idle correctly. Nothing I do makes that settle down and if I overturn the bottom one under the carburetor I get overflow from the actual engine with oil dumping out. Needless to say I could use advise please.!! Again thank you for all the help.
I can tell you I took a small engine repair class 20 years ago and in that class we were told we could start an engine on WD-40 and we did. I have started engines at home on WD-40. They even use it to inflate truck tires.
Im thinking they changed up the formulation for less harmful chemicals for the environment?. I know it used to work back in the 90's. Thanks for the video. 👍
I agree. I used to use wd-40 as starting fluid 20+ years ago. They changed their chemistry sometime around when they went up to the flip-up straw sprayers.
I believe the old WD-40 product used butane and propane as propellant, those gases would help start a small engine; newer WD-40 uses carbon dioxide as a propellant. The formulation of WD-40 and its propellant is different in every country.
A friend told me once never to use regular starting fluid in a two-cycle because it doesn't have the oils in it like you said...good video. Ive had people tell me to do fhat with WD before too
The best starter fluid for 2 cycle engines to include the Chain Saw I have found is Seafoam a couple of drops or it also come in spray. Do not use regular starter fluid on two cycle engines!
Wd40 used to work as starter fluid on small engines. This was pre- lawsuit against wd40 for being extremely flammable where someone got burned. After lawsuit wd40 wouldn't work as starter fluid.
Sorry but it's rightful environmental considerations that dictated that CO2 (or other inert gases) be substituted to propane as propellant in pressurized cans. This was an industry-wide move to get Volatile Organic Componants (VOC) down. That same goal is what lead to the demise of oil-based paints. If flammability liability lawsuits would have had anything to do with it, gasoline would have been retired a long time ago. Regards !
@@danielrobert7181 and now the environmental considerations are focused on too much atmospheric CO2, blaming cow farts and people who use spray cans and such. There's no end.
@@SpaceCadet4Jesus Well in terms of environment protection, there is what is easily avoidable (like replacing propane as a propellant) and then ... ever more impacting constraints to come As we only have one planet to live on, stingent measures will have to be implemented. Make no bones about it, the longer we delay acting, the more severe will be the impacts. So you are right, we have just very timidly started to reckon the problem and look at solutions. Anyway, keep well and be merry my friend !
they changed the flash point perhaps 10 years ago ... indeed I used to be able to start my 4-stroke lawn mower with it ... but not now. I dont doubt that it will flash inside a diesel engine - it seems much more volatile than kerosene or #2 diesel. I gave up and bought some ether starting fluid for 4-stroke mowers and snow blowers.
Interesting at one time it did work or at least partially. I've ran several engines on mostly wd-40 when there were carb/fuel problems. This was over 20 years ago and none of them were two strokes.
Thanks, always wondered about that. I usually just pull the plug and put a bit bog gas on the piston, to be sure it will pull gas through the carb, mixed gas for 2 strokes
Decades ago we used WD40 in the spark plug hole on hard starting lawn mowers & small engine equipment, and, it worked quickly almost 100% of the time. Don't know if current equipment changes makes that no longer possible.
I had a can of WD40 that was very old a while back, probably from the 90's. Engines would start and run on that stuff I found out. The newer WD40 doesn't seem to want to work as a starting fluid. I tried it in a kohler push mower a few years back and it wouldn't do anything. I found it weird because I had done this in the past with a very old can of WD40 and it did work. Not sure what changed.
Good day My closest small engine mechanic used it on a old snowblower I bought & started right away. That was in possibly early 90's. Maybe some truth too that. Thanks
it works just fine for me.give it a shake then spray much more than you normally would and start immediately.its not the fluid that does it but rather the propellant.
I had a old dodge van back in 1989,i ran out of gas, i took off the dog house and air breather and sprained wd40 in carb. I was able to drive a couple miles by spraying in carb every time it started to die,maybe 30 years ago it was a different formula
i was only curious if it harmed an engine if i used it to clean things off on a mower or something so seeing as how you sprayed it directly into teh carb id say its pretty harmelss and i dont need ot worry about it...i use Gumout as my carb cleaner ill see if this Kleen Flo stuff is cheaper gumout is almost 15 a can..but i just bought one of those cleaners tehy work alright i feel a little more confident using thsoe as it will clean spots i may miss or forget...but i have the carb cleaner as backup..the amount of carb cleaner i go through i figured buying the cleaner machine justifies it..i used it and recleaned all my carbs on my mowers and a couple chainsaws and all the small kinks that were there are gone...about 8 carbs i redid ..im going to put my weed eater carbs in it too i think and my leaf blower..all my snowblowers work good so i dont think they need it
Before even trying to load the carb, you could have seen that when sprayed onto a hard surface it won't ignite with a match - although carb spray will.
I have never used WD-40 as a starting fluid and won't after seeing your test results. Thanks Dony, for performing this test and showing us the results.
I have 10hp lawn tractor with a straight pipe out the hood On a normal cold start it takes me 4 or 5 pulls to start but if I spray wd40 down the exhaust pipe it fires off on the first or second pull at idle
Thanks for this video; I never thought of using WD-40 for starting when we already know that there are other products available for this purpose. Glad you proved it to us!
I think if you shake the can just before spraying, the propellant gas inside mixes a bit with the wd40 and might help with volatility. I've used wd40 to start engine's with ok results, its definitely not my go too choice. Also it may just help with compression numbers once the cylinder is wetted with oil and actually not even be helpful in any other way.
I think people try to use the propellant of the WD-40 to start a difficult engine. I guess that is what starting fluid (ether) is for. Carb cleaner is great for getting rid of gas odour on your hands. Probably not good for you tho.
Thank you. Since you are mentioning fluids what do you suggest for rust on a 20 yr old toro snowthrower Which with your helpi was able to get it running so happy
A couple weeks ago I was trying to get an old generator going I was given and managed to get it started on wd40! Then I ran out and used bug spray to get it to rev! They worked fine but it’s the propellant not the lube that makes the bang which can be dificult to contain until you pull the starter
I saw your black turkey baster... I had a bad experience with a black one. Gas getting in the black ball caused beads of black rubber to contaminate the gas. Had float problems with the black rubber balls plugged up the Carb when reusing the gas. A Paper Filter would have prevented the problems... Good Test on the WD 40.
That was a great question and now I know. I do have a question and that is why does the cylinder on the ms 291 look like it has a hole in it? When you take off the muffler to clean behind it the cylinder looks like it has a hole just under where the muffler attaches.
WD40 used to work on diesels. Lately though, they may have changed the formulation or something. Because it didn't work the last couple times I tried it. (It did for years before that.) And I've heard the same from many people on diesel forums. Used to work, doesn't any more....
I use to use it on Diesel engines, It would not start them, but it burned enough to take a huge load off the starter while trying to get it to start from running out of fuel.
i have successfully used the wd40 on 3 cylinder diesel engines before. the though was that the lube in the wd40 would prevent the cylinder lube removal that starting fluid does. the wd wasn't quite as volatile in the engine as wd40, but i kept a continuous stream until the engine finally ran.
I've had opposite results by accident. I put it into a 2 cycle piston because the rings were sticky. After I was testing it out with the plug in it fired off and scared the heck out of me.
You don't spray the WD40 into the air passage. You wet a rag or paper towel with it and place it in the air intake passage. The fumes from the WD40 will act like a starting fluid. I had a 1988 Ford IDI diesel and the glowplug relay failed in the winter. The Ford dealer diesel mechanic said not to use starting ether as it could damage the engine and recommended the WD40 trick with a cloth. The truck started with no problem so I could get it to the dealer.
For me i don't mind it as a normal type but a tiny bit of the WD-40 (Water Displacement 40th Attempt) the rest starting fluid might be ideal from my view etc.
Years ago WD-40 used propane as a propellant .........that explains why it was used as starting fluid.....you had to spray it into the carb while cranking........
I grew up on a farm where we always used WD-40 to start the Big Diesel engine in the 4WD field tractors when it started getting cold. But that was over 25 years ago. I was very surprised that the test didn’t work! Don test it on a Diesel engine, I’m curious now if that would still work.
I use auto zone brake cleaner too start any kind of engine, I use it to wash off grease and oily engines, and it makes any chainsaw, weed eaters look great, and that use to be car/ truck doors glued decals you know that black sticky glue and it takes it off without taking or hurting the paint, it won’t make your screwdrivers handles gummy, I just love it and O it kills wasps as well
A small engine doesn't have enough cylinder compression to let WD40 ignite with just a spark plug. Increase compression significantly and maybe it might give a sputter, but probably wouldn't be able to pull the starter cord.
I found by accident that the chlorinated brake doesn't work. The non chlorinated will work. I normally use carband choke cleaner but recently tried the throttle body cleaner because it says it lubricates. It worked fine but the can didn't seem to last as long as the carb cleaner. Donny, didn't you used to use a lubricating Quaker state product? I could never find it.
I use the Brakleen in the red can because it is NON-flammable and I don't have to worry about starting fires whereas the Brakleen in the green can IS flammable and can be used as starting fluid but it doesn't do as good a job as the red can for removing oils. Spray WD-40 through an open flame and then spray Brakleen in the red can through an open flame.
Hi Don I would like to know what do you suggest to stop or remove rust from my 21 yr old Toro. I have a bit of rust on the auger front. Top and bottom corners. Thanks. Houli
I’ve used wd40 for starting Perkins diesel engines worked every time. It was back quite a few years ago. They’ve probably changed something they put in it
Probably 15 years ago it would work. I used it to eliminate Wasp nest too! it made an excellent Flame Thrower with the tube inserted into the nozzle.
it was a very sad day when I used a new can after they changed the formula and the spray put out my match when spraying at the Wasps!!! (Run Ken, Run)!!!!!!
I found out last year that brake cleaner will knock down wasps as fast as any wasp spray.
lol
@@Shootingstarcomics that’s awesome lol
@@Shootingstarcomics I found out that using brake cleaner with a lighter will not only take out a rather large wasp but also the lightshade and require painting the ceiling... as long as the wasp was dead it was worth it!
Except that I haven't repainted the scorched ceiling.. this was many years ago... I live on my own
Real starting fluid and a Bic lighter is great on wasps.
One thing every UA-camr should learn from this guy is getting straight to the point
In the 70's I used WD-40 as starting fluid for several gasoline tractors during a cold Minnesota winter. I tried that trick last winter on a generator and it didn't work. WD-40 obviously has changed through the years.
yep
Gerry Walsh , I’m thinking WD40 used propane as the propellant but they may have changed the propellant!
it was kerosene, now its fish oil.
My dad couldn't start his tractor in 20° until he got a new battery and block heater
I used to use wd40 to start my 72 buck with a 4 barrel 350.. So apparently it's changed its chemical comp
WD 40 does work. I used WD40 to start an engine in the summer of 2022. It may not necessarily be the content of the can that has the volatility, but the propellant. If it changed over the years, that could be the reason. The can I used is probably several years old. A test could be to spray it and see if you can ignite it like a torch. If it ignites with a strong flame, it should work. Many household aerosols from over 30 years ago were all extremely flammable and will probably work as something that will get an engine to start. Don't use anything that will leave a residue like hairspray. Although I never tried it, I'm positive it will leave a residue that will gum up everything. Disinfectants like Lysol worked like flamethrowers. Most likely to start an engine.
Please post a video on a multitude of sprays that work as starting fluid. That would be interesting,
BUT, the carb, cylinder and piston are well lubricated for long term storage!
Nah for that use 3 in 1 oil
WD 40 goes sticky after a while, not good for carb.
WD-40 components are not really volatile as for instance BC so do not ignite well. In a diesel it will but not in gasoline engines. Indeed good to store stuff. Put it in carburators for winterizing or longtime storage to prevent drying out of the seals and membranes then drain or flush out with normal fuel for usage. Great cleaner btw. I think main component is N-Hexane.
OK for compression ignition engines - as long as spayed in directly, and definitely no air cleaner involved.
I believe the old WD-40 product used butane and propane as propellant, those gases would help start a small engine; newer WD-40 uses carbon dioxide as a propellant. The formulation of WD-40 and its propellant is different in every country.
I use carburetor cleaner fluid as starting fluid all the time, it works well.
Yes that stuff is super volatile~!!
WD-40 is not volatile enough to act as starting fluid. Thank's for the demo.
Wd-40 works for me. Even old wore out diesels with no glow plugs will start with it.
It works fine and dandy. I've used it for decades now for this.
As a mechanic I always have and use brake cleaner as a cleaner and also use it for starting fluid. I buy 20 liter pail so I can refill my pump sprayer. Appreciate all your videos. Thankyou from Dartmouth NS
i grew up in Dartmouth buddy. 👍👍
Yes we get a 20 liter container of brakeclean for the workshop and its very useful, it is of course just petrol without the additives and is exactly what is used for cigarette lighter fluid, so being basically petrol is definitely going to run an engine, just might knock a little.
I could have guessed that it wouldn't work as starting fluid...but another thought came to mind. With the spray tube thingy on the can it would make an easy way to winterize motors: pull the plug, give it some spray, and you're good to go. (Of course run the carb dry too).
i have always kept a can in older cars to spray on distrbuter cap an wires when a very damp enviroment , but cant say if its safe to do on newer higher voltage coils WD40= "water displacement formula 40 " good vid , thanks
I recently used a can of Rem Oil lubricant when I was trying to start an old mower I found. It’s very flammable, and did the job.
the old formula where they used propane as the propellant it certainly would , but the new propellant is carbon dioxide and it isnt flammable , so now it is just a water displacement and penetrant
I used to use WD-40 when storing my snowmobiles engines for the summer. I wish people would research before asking these questions. WD-40 is a water displacer, thats what the W - D stands for. That's why I used it on my snowmobles. Good video , now everyone can stop asking.
It’s mostly kerosene
Exactly what I was going to suggest someone could use it in place lol f an engine fogger if they wanted to store their small engine for a longer period than just a short off season
@@kirkthebeerslinger I use it in my generators as well. Its a lubricant and a water displacer so yes, it works great on all engines. Normally, on 4 cycle engines, you can get away with a squirt of oil in the cylinder(s) and just hand turn it over or rope start slowly. I generally like to remove the main fuel line and shoot some in there, then let it enter the carburetor by pulling it over, then remove the plug and put some in the cylinder as well. I found by leaving fuel in even with fuel treatment, it puts stress on the needle and seat. With snowmobiles, the needle has an internal spring that can weaken over time from fuel pressure, causing flooding issues and the need to rebuild. I noticed this more and more with newer snowmobiles. The older ones could have old rancid fuel in them for years, clean them up and they would start right up.
I think wd50 will work though
If you know so much about it why dont you make your own video.
They used to use propane as a propellent but I think they changed it . The propellant used in WD-40 now is carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is an inert gas which helps empty the can. Plus, the addition of CO2 reduces the number of VOCs, which helps towards preserving the environment. And NOT good as a starting fuel !!!!
Yes, that was my understanding (propane propellant) too, but I never tried it.
I have used propane as a starting fuel, however, with good results.
Yes it used to be a good starting fluid. Been quite a few years since then.
Very true, they changed it several years ago. Used to I could use a can of WD40 with a lighter like a flame thrower and kill wasp nests in my shop from 10ft away. After they changed it it ruined a lot of my fun.
Thanks for this. I didn't know that.
@@Big_Johns didn't realize they changed the ingredients
To be honest, I would never have thought it would work! I had a Ford van back in the 80's that if it was at all damp out, I had to spray the distributor and spark plug wires with WD40. Worked every time and immediately started. I even had the wires replaced and still had to do it. I kept a can under the front seat. Water Displacement 40!
Used to work with the older formulation, back when they used propane as the propellant. Now they use carbon dioxide to make it "greener" Also made it useless as a starting spray. For the most part now I use a refillable spray bottle with pre-mix in it. Atomizes the fuel and lubes at the same time.
I also use the refillable spray bottle approach filled with premixed "engeneered fuel" (long lasting fuel like the one sold by Stihl) so it remains good over a year.
In Brazil, where there are lots of alcohol engines, when there is a problem in the starting system in cold weather (alcohol needs to be warm), a spray of WD40 in the air collector will always make the engine work. Old trick!
same here.......30 YEARS ago OUR MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR used it for all the apartment small tools and it worked PPERFECTLY!
A few years ago I had used Deep Woods Off To start my saw , not sure if it was the repellant or the propellant that made it run. Wonder if mixing a bit of the repellant in the fuel would keep the bugs away. Yes we all know about the potential dangers and damage this may cause to you or your saw.
10 years ago they switched the propellant from propane to something else. I use Cyclo Breakaway now and it works good.
my go-to for quick start on gas engines is a few drops of gas on the air cleaner element. of course, this is for dry carb hard starting.
It works as starting fluid on a diesel engine
I,m not sure about WD40, but Degreaser works well in two stroke engines.
It depends how flammable WD40 is.
I use ''Australian Export, Degreaser'' for two strokes fires first pull every time!!
Used to use it as a kid all the time to get Ski-Doo Elans running. Not so much to start but to keep running as we adjusted the carb. Worked well. Much safer than starting fluid and has lubrication. Not a good test at all.
My money was on, it will not work. Thanks DB73 for the demonstrations. Have a good day 😊
Love your videos I have been using them as a guide to fixing an Ariens 8524. I replaced spark plug, hoses,gas on/off switch, gaskets for carburetor and the carburetor itself. Having done all this I was able to get it started! Thank you. 1 of the problems I have now is trying to get it to idle correctly. Nothing I do makes that settle down and if I overturn the bottom one under the carburetor I get overflow from the actual engine with oil dumping out. Needless to say I could use advise please.!! Again thank you for all the help.
Overflow from the engine with oil dumping out? Have you done a compression test?
I can tell you I took a small engine repair class 20 years ago and in that class we were told we could start an engine on WD-40 and we did. I have started engines at home on WD-40. They even use it to inflate truck tires.
Im thinking they changed up the formulation for less harmful chemicals for the environment?. I know it used to work back in the 90's. Thanks for the video. 👍
What about using a starting fluid with upper cylinder lube in a 2 cycle? Will that lubricate the engine just like mixed gas?
WD back in the day used to work as starting fluid. They may have changed the carrier in it. Lighter fluid is an excellent starting fluid.
I agree. I used to use wd-40 as starting fluid 20+ years ago. They changed their chemistry sometime around when they went up to the flip-up straw sprayers.
brake cleaner works too
I believe the old WD-40 product used butane and propane as propellant, those gases would help start a small engine; newer WD-40 uses carbon dioxide as a propellant. The formulation of WD-40 and its propellant is different in every country.
@@davidnull5590 it was kerosene, now its fish oil.
I worked in a car dealer, selling Oldsmobile diesels and used wd40 for starting olds diesels it worked in really cold weather.
We thank you for sharing your advice
For starting 2 cycle engines, I like to use fogging oil.
A friend told me once never to use regular starting fluid in a two-cycle because it doesn't have the oils in it like you said...good video. Ive had people tell me to do fhat with WD before too
I've heard when you're starting an old deisel engine for the first time in a while to spray wd40 with the ether to keep things lubricated.
Very interesting. It does seem a lot closer to the fogging oil I have than the starting fluid.
I never thought of using WD40 as starting fluid. Thanks for the tip, but it works great in minnows for fishing.🤪
The best starter fluid for 2 cycle engines to include the Chain Saw I have found is Seafoam a couple of drops or it also come in spray. Do not use regular starter fluid on two cycle engines!
What if the starter fluid says that it contains top end lubricant?
@@browngreen933 its fine mis info that it hurts 2 stroke it dont at alll its got lube in it just dont run the engine on it more a few secs
Wd40 used to work as starter fluid on small engines. This was pre- lawsuit against wd40 for being extremely flammable where someone got burned. After lawsuit wd40 wouldn't work as starter fluid.
Sorry but it's rightful environmental considerations that dictated that CO2 (or other inert gases) be substituted to propane as propellant in pressurized cans. This was an industry-wide move to get Volatile Organic Componants (VOC) down. That same goal is what lead to the demise of oil-based paints. If flammability liability lawsuits would have had anything to do with it, gasoline would have been retired a long time ago. Regards !
@@danielrobert7181 and now the environmental considerations are focused on too much atmospheric CO2, blaming cow farts and people who use spray cans and such. There's no end.
@@SpaceCadet4Jesus Well in terms of environment protection, there is what is easily avoidable (like replacing propane as a propellant) and then ... ever more impacting constraints to come As we only have one planet to live on, stingent measures will have to be implemented. Make no bones about it, the longer we delay acting, the more severe will be the impacts. So you are right, we have just very timidly started to reckon the problem and look at solutions. Anyway, keep well and be merry my friend !
What did that someone do to get burned? A lot of aerosols are flammable. Why pick on WD40?
Will carberatour deteriorate over time
I have used RAID , as a starting fluid , it worked for me ,
they changed the flash point perhaps 10 years ago ... indeed I used to be able to start my 4-stroke lawn mower with it ... but not now. I dont doubt that it will flash inside a diesel engine - it seems much more volatile than kerosene or #2 diesel. I gave up and bought some ether starting fluid for 4-stroke mowers and snow blowers.
Interesting at one time it did work or at least partially. I've ran several engines on mostly wd-40 when there were carb/fuel problems. This was over 20 years ago and none of them were two strokes.
Thanks, always wondered about that. I usually just pull the plug and put a bit bog gas on the piston, to be sure it will pull gas through the carb, mixed gas for 2 strokes
Decades ago we used WD40 in the spark plug hole on hard starting lawn mowers & small engine equipment, and, it worked quickly almost 100% of the time. Don't know if current equipment changes makes that no longer possible.
Best spray oil to start any 2 stroke or 4 stroke engines Weldtite TF2 Teflon spray, have been using it for years.
I had a can of WD40 that was very old a while back, probably from the 90's. Engines would start and run on that stuff I found out. The newer WD40 doesn't seem to want to work as a starting fluid. I tried it in a kohler push mower a few years back and it wouldn't do anything. I found it weird because I had done this in the past with a very old can of WD40 and it did work. Not sure what changed.
Good day My closest small engine mechanic used it on a old snowblower I bought & started right away. That was in possibly early 90's. Maybe some truth too that. Thanks
it works just fine for me.give it a shake then spray much more than you normally would and start immediately.its not the fluid that does it but rather the propellant.
I had a old dodge van back in 1989,i ran out of gas, i took off the dog house and air breather and sprained wd40 in carb. I was able to drive a couple miles by spraying in carb every time it started to die,maybe 30 years ago it was a different formula
i was only curious if it harmed an engine if i used it to clean things off on a mower or something so seeing as how you sprayed it directly into teh carb id say its pretty harmelss and i dont need ot worry about it...i use Gumout as my carb cleaner ill see if this Kleen Flo stuff is cheaper gumout is almost 15 a can..but i just bought one of those cleaners tehy work alright i feel a little more confident using thsoe as it will clean spots i may miss or forget...but i have the carb cleaner as backup..the amount of carb cleaner i go through i figured buying the cleaner machine justifies it..i used it and recleaned all my carbs on my mowers and a couple chainsaws and all the small kinks that were there are gone...about 8 carbs i redid ..im going to put my weed eater carbs in it too i think and my leaf blower..all my snowblowers work good so i dont think they need it
Before even trying to load the carb, you could have seen that when sprayed onto a hard surface it won't ignite with a match - although carb spray will.
Think that's settled that one conclusively.
I have never used WD-40 as a starting fluid and won't after seeing your test results. Thanks Dony, for performing this test and showing us the results.
I have 10hp lawn tractor with a straight pipe out the hood
On a normal cold start it takes me 4 or 5 pulls to start but if I spray wd40 down the exhaust pipe it fires off on the first or second pull at idle
Thanks for this video; I never thought of using WD-40 for starting when we already know that there are other products available for this purpose. Glad you proved it to us!
I think if you shake the can just before spraying, the propellant gas inside mixes a bit with the wd40 and might help with volatility. I've used wd40 to start engine's with ok results, its definitely not my go too choice. Also it may just help with compression numbers once the cylinder is wetted with oil and actually not even be helpful in any other way.
Maybe better to spray upside down so only propellant is released.
I think people try to use the propellant of the WD-40 to start a difficult engine. I guess that is what starting fluid (ether) is for. Carb cleaner is great for getting rid of gas odour on your hands. Probably not good for you tho.
Lighter fluid works well if the engine is fuel starved or the ignition is weak.
Thank you. Since you are mentioning fluids what do you suggest for rust on a 20 yr old toro snowthrower
Which with your helpi was able to get it running so happy
A couple weeks ago I was trying to get an old generator going I was given and managed to get it started on wd40! Then I ran out and used bug spray to get it to rev! They worked fine but it’s the propellant not the lube that makes the bang which can be dificult to contain until you pull the starter
I saw your black turkey baster... I had a bad experience with a black one. Gas getting in the black ball caused beads of black rubber to contaminate the gas. Had float problems with the black rubber balls plugged up the Carb when reusing the gas. A Paper Filter would have prevented the problems... Good Test on the WD 40.
thanks for letting me know
That was a great question and now I know. I do have a question and that is why does the cylinder on the ms 291 look like it has a hole in it? When you take off the muffler to clean behind it the cylinder looks like it has a hole just under where the muffler attaches.
WD40 used to work on diesels. Lately though, they may have changed the formulation or something. Because it didn't work the last couple times I tried it. (It did for years before that.) And I've heard the same from many people on diesel forums. Used to work, doesn't any more....
I use to use it on Diesel engines, It would not start them, but it burned enough to take a huge load off the starter while trying to get it to start from running out of fuel.
I use WD40 to keep the inside of the tank and carbs lubed and cleaned. Once the season starts I drain and fill it with gas. Ready to go.
i have successfully used the wd40 on 3 cylinder diesel engines before. the though was that the lube in the wd40 would prevent the cylinder lube removal that starting fluid does. the wd wasn't quite as volatile in the engine as wd40, but i kept a continuous stream until the engine finally ran.
Maybe it works with diesel engines, since diesel fuel is oil-ish. Old diesel engines even work with vegetal oil as fuel.
When I prime a saw with a little gas, I start them from half choke and not full choke.
I use cheap WalMart carb cleaner spray when I need starting fluid.
I've had opposite results by accident. I put it into a 2 cycle piston because the rings were sticky. After I was testing it out with the plug in it fired off and scared the heck out of me.
You don't spray the WD40 into the air passage. You wet a rag or paper towel with it and place it in the air intake passage. The fumes from the WD40 will act like a starting fluid. I had a 1988 Ford IDI diesel and the glowplug relay failed in the winter. The Ford dealer diesel mechanic said not to use starting ether as it could damage the engine and recommended the WD40 trick with a cloth. The truck started with no problem so I could get it to the dealer.
For me i don't mind it as a normal type but a tiny bit of the WD-40 (Water Displacement 40th Attempt) the rest starting fluid might be ideal from my view etc.
I use wd and other cheap protestors to clean carbs be cause it slot cheaper tbe care cleaner. And yes they do smoke a little when they start.
Years ago WD-40 used propane as a propellant .........that explains why it was used as starting fluid.....you had to spray it into the carb while cranking........
I grew up on a farm where we always used WD-40 to start the Big Diesel engine in the 4WD field tractors when it started getting cold. But that was over 25 years ago.
I was very surprised that the test didn’t work! Don test it on a Diesel engine, I’m curious now if that would still work.
We use a gas jug squeeze sides close to breather
LOL good grief. One thing I have never even thought of trying ! Carb cleaner works though.
Never tried before, but good to know.
Have to shake can before you use it. It separates.
I use auto zone brake cleaner too start any kind of engine, I use it to wash off grease and oily engines, and it makes any chainsaw, weed eaters look great, and that use to be car/ truck doors glued decals you know that black sticky glue and it takes it off without taking or hurting the paint, it won’t make your screwdrivers handles gummy, I just love it and
O it kills wasps as well
I always use break cleaner as starting fluid, works amazing.
No. as good as trying to use kerosene for engine start 😅, but lighter fluid is awesome for that, if you don't mind a bit of knocking.
Your are right
Carb cleaner used in test running engine or not carb test i mean
Try it in a diesel
It most certainly makes a great flame thrower
Personally saw it work to start a Kenworth tri-axle.
Yes u can use it as starting fluid just just need a little bit of lighter fluid and mix them together
How about starting with rum ?
A small engine doesn't have enough cylinder compression to let WD40 ignite with just a spark plug. Increase compression significantly and maybe it might give a sputter, but probably wouldn't be able to pull the starter cord.
I found by accident that the chlorinated brake doesn't work. The non chlorinated will work. I normally use carband choke cleaner but recently tried the throttle body cleaner because it says it lubricates. It worked fine but the can didn't seem to last as long as the carb cleaner. Donny, didn't you used to use a lubricating Quaker state product? I could never find it.
...thanks for the video Dony......WD-40 may not work as starting fluid, but I bet it helps to free up sticky rings and valves... :)
I sprayed wd40 in the spark plug hole 031 stihol chain saw it started on the first pull
It worked for me. Honda GX120 that had been sitting for unknown amount of years. Some WD40 got it to crank.
I use the Brakleen in the red can because it is NON-flammable and I don't have to worry about starting fires whereas the Brakleen in the green can IS flammable and can be used as starting fluid but it doesn't do as good a job as the red can for removing oils.
Spray WD-40 through an open flame and then spray Brakleen in the red can through an open flame.
In brakecleen it's probably chlorinated versus non chlorinated.
Hi Don I would like to know what do you suggest to stop or remove rust from my 21 yr old Toro. I have a bit of rust on the auger front. Top and bottom corners.
Thanks. Houli
WD40 formula changed. I used to use it as a pre-lube & starting fluid in the 80's.
What are your favorite spark plug sockets? Thanks for testing this I wanted to know too
Nice demo. Cold outside shop. Warm inside shop.
it worked on a diesel forklift i have at work
I’ve used wd40 for starting Perkins diesel engines worked every time. It was back quite a few years ago. They’ve probably changed something they put in it
I think so but I think it will still work for diesel engines
It don’t stretch the head bolts that much but eather is a really hard on them
I’m talking diesel not gas
TIL never arm wrestle or fight DonyBoy! Thanks for the great vids!