Tried the starter fluid trick on a cold 7.3L Powerstroke and it actually saved me

I've been fighting with my '97 F350 to start on cold mornings for weeks now. Changed the glow plugs and relay, still no luck. A buddy at the shop told me to try a quick shot of starter fluid right into the intake, and I was dead against it at first. But I finally gave in after three failed starts in a row, and that thing fired up on the second crank no problem. Has anyone else had good luck with this on older diesel trucks, or am I just asking for trouble?

2 comments

2 Comments

sagep191mo ago

Honestly my buddy wrecked his 00 F250 the same way. One shot is fine but it's real easy to overdo it and blow a piston ring or worse. I'd swap that relay again maybe try the OEM Motorcraft one.

paulw871mo ago

Yeah man that's exactly what I saw happen to a guy at my old shop. Ran a can of that stuff through a 7.3 and it sounded great for about 20 miles, then it started knocking like crazy. Rings were toast. It's just a gamble every time you use it. Original Motorcraft relay is the way to go too, those aftermarket ones are junk half the time. Stick with that advice for sure.