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Feb 19, 2014 19:31:44 GMT
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I was going to put this in technical but thought it would be better here. I'm sure over the years we've all been warned against using easystart because "once you start using that stuff it'll never start without it. I've always considered this an old mechanics tale and never paid much attention to it. In 20 years I've never had to treat an engine for advanced easystart addiction. I've never come across an engine that, once properly repaired wasn't capable of starting without a shot of either, yet still I hear people who I would otherwise consider intelligent, come out and say the same thing. So I'm wondering if there is any truth in it, maybe because of older engine technology or something. So what I'm asking is, can someone explain, scientifically, why an engine can get hooked on easystart, or is it just the load of old cobblers I suspect it to be? I thank you.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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diff
South East
Posts: 1,169
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Feb 19, 2014 19:39:03 GMT
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My feelings on this is that if you need to use easy start or similar to start an engine then it is already well past its best , therefore there is a fair chance its always going to need it afterwards . Not exactly addicted to it ,but more like prolonging its life .
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Easystart, automotive heroin?accord83
@accord83
Club Retro Rides Member 51
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Feb 19, 2014 19:49:02 GMT
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My Xflow Mk1 Escort always needs Easistart if it hasn't been started for over 3 months. Once it has fired up it starts every time normally until put back into hibernation. I consider it an assistance to compensate for the degradation of modern fuel. One whiff and it's away, but you can flatten a battery without it.
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74 Mk1 Escort 1360, 1971 Vauxhall Victor SL2000 Estate.
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Feb 19, 2014 19:55:24 GMT
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I used to use it on a old mini i had when it was freezing and the oil was thick . I never needed it unless it was absolutely nobblin' !
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Feb 19, 2014 20:02:49 GMT
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My feelings on this is that if you need to use easy start or similar to start an engine then it is already well past its best , therefore there is a fair chance its always going to need it afterwards . Not exactly addicted to it ,but more like prolonging its life . That's fair enough, if the compression is so poor that it won't start without it, but its not caused by using it. I was called a see you next Tuesday a little while back by a certain reputable mechanic because I used easystart on a van with low fuel pressure. Now I suspect in that instance it was sour grapes because I was pinching his work, but I just don't see how its possible for an engine to become dependant on it.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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Feb 19, 2014 20:04:19 GMT
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In the 80's my Dad had a York Derv engined Transit Mk2, when he got it it wouldn't start in winter below -1 it got worse every year until it was well into spring before it would fire without a good lung of easystart, not addiction just getting more and more tired!
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Feb 19, 2014 20:09:00 GMT
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Isnt it just stuff thats more combustable ? Thats why it gets the curse word going , and once its going its ok ?
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Feb 19, 2014 20:40:17 GMT
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Isnt it just stuff thats more combustable ? Thats why it gets the curse word going , and once its going its ok ? Basically yes. I normally use silicone spray because it tends to be less harsh but pretty much anything in an aerosol will do the job. I once used fly killer in an emergency.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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diff
South East
Posts: 1,169
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Feb 19, 2014 20:44:51 GMT
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We use a carb cleaner in work to give them a kick if they have been sitting a while.
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Feb 19, 2014 20:50:07 GMT
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I used it on my van for a couple of days when the diesel glowplugs died a death , just a tiny blast and it started fine . after changing the glowplugs I've not had to use it since but it's always ready for emergencies .
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You've been telling me you were a genius since you were seventeen ... in all the time I've known you I still don't know what you mean !
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Feb 19, 2014 20:52:42 GMT
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With the Alfa I once had to use brake cleaner to get the engine started. I think the fuel was so low that even once I had filled the tank, it wouldn't start. I cleaned the dizzy, still woulnd't start, then the brake cleaner trick, and it felt like it helped the fuel pump getting some of that liquid flamy stuff into the engine
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Feb 19, 2014 20:53:36 GMT
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Ive used lynx deoderant once as well !! As in with a fag lighter .
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Feb 19, 2014 20:57:38 GMT
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And it is automotive heroin , i found my mini in a filthy lockup on a couple of dirty old mattresses . It had a seatbelt wrapped tight around it wing and a greasegun full of easystart up it airbox . I took it to rehab and they changed the oil and fitted a new starter . It takes every day as it comes now .
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Feb 19, 2014 21:12:09 GMT
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i think its a myth, my work van( a 54 plate iveco daily) needs a whiff of easy start at certain temps, i think the temp sensor is faulty but starts fine if its really cold or warmer weather. been that way for three years and she still aint hooked. also my carbed bmw still wouldnt start on the easy start i had to tow that to start it first time. i would say the theory of the engine probably being past its best when you start using easy start means you need to keep using it unless you actually fix the fault.
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Copey
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,845
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Feb 19, 2014 21:23:58 GMT
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We use a carb cleaner in work to give them a kick if they have been sitting a while. the best thing i have used was some lass' deodorant, her boyfriend let his diseasel astra run out of fuel, bit oh diesel in the filter and a squib of deodorant down the inlet up it started! haha
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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi with 2.0 Zetec 1985 Ford Capri 3.0 (was a 2.0 Laser originally)
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Feb 19, 2014 21:24:08 GMT
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Last Edit: Feb 19, 2014 21:24:52 GMT by hfstuart
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Feb 19, 2014 21:33:15 GMT
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i know off two volvo lm1240's that no matter what you do to them to try and start them you got no hope unless you give the plenty of easystart once theyve been run they behave, and then the next day you start all over again!
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Feb 19, 2014 21:34:21 GMT
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I must admit, I do love the smell of it.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
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Feb 19, 2014 21:37:29 GMT
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I prefer the Aussie version.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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From what I understand it washes the bores and increases wear, so if you have a fault that causes hard starting, eg faulty glow plugs or a duff choke, and use easy start as a temp fix for a week or two then it'll be fine, but if you use it for months and months then you end up with excessive bore wear leading to low compression and hard starting.
I had a diesel vw caddy van, started fine until the glow plugs packed up, couldn't be bothered to change them, the van was a beater that owed me nothing, and it was winter, used easy start for about 5 months, eventually did the glow plugs but still needed a bit of easy start to get going in a morning despite new, tested and re tested glow plugs.
So, while "addicted" might be the wrong term, it will curse word your engine if you use it for long enough.
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Last Edit: Feb 20, 2014 4:15:34 GMT by cairyhunt
Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy.
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