Starter fluid can dissolve oil, meaning that if enough starter fluid is introduced, it can keep the oil from lubricating the engine. Two-stroke engines include engine oil in the gasoline that enters the combustion chamber. Two-stroke and diesel engines face different problems when starter fluid is introduced. Unfortunately, starter fluid doesn’t work well in all engines and can cause issues when used often.

In both of those cases, starter fluid is not just useful but also the best choice. With a dead battery or old fuel sitting in the lines, your engine might need a lot of starter fluid to get going again. Starter fluid can also be useful if your car has been in storage for a long time. Starter fluid helps warm the gas, making it easier to start the engine. Starting your engine can be difficult if it’s cold outside because it’s freezing enough for gasoline to have a hard time vaporizing. In certain circumstances, starter fluid can be very beneficial, while it can be harmful in others. Starter fluid shouldn’t be used to start a car often. Whether starter fluid is bad for your engine depends on how often you use it and when you’re using it. Only use as much as necessary to get the engine started – that way, you avoid stripping the oil and grease, creating toxic fumes, or overheating engine parts. Regardless of your starter aid, always be aware of how much you spray into your engine. Hairspray ignites incredibly easily and can be sprayed into the carburetor just as easily as any of the choices. You can also try hairspray if you’re stranded without starter fluid or one of the other options. Simply aim at the carburetor intake and give it a few squirts. It also won’t dissolve the grease inside the engine.įor small engines, you can use gasoline in a squirt bottle to help get it started. It’s highly flammable and one of the best alternatives to starter fluid in cold weather. WD-40 is great and can be sprayed directly into the intake or carburetor. Better Alternatives to Brake CleanerĮven if you have brake cleaner on hand, you probably have other, much better options that will get your car started. Only use brake cleaner as a starter fluid if you have to. If the combustion chamber has the oil cleaned out, it can cause your engine to dry start, which can do extensive damage to your engine and its parts. It also has the potential to dissolve the oil and grease inside the combustion chamber. The engine exhaust will be more toxic than usual after burning brake cleaner, and you don’t want to inhale those fumes. Occasionally using brake cleaner to get your engine started shouldn’t damage it, but there are a few considerations to understand before doing so.Įnsure you are only using brake cleaner to start an engine outdoors. In reality, any kind of flammable material can be used to start a gas engine, including WD-40 and carburetor cleaners.

Starter fluid is better, but if you have none on hand, an aerosol can of brake cleaner gets the job done. Generally, brake cleaners will work to get a gas engine started. Using Brake Cleaner To Start a Gas Engine Aerosol sprays are best because they spray easily, and you shouldn’t have any problems when using them sparingly. You can use brake cleaner as starter fluid for gas engines if you’re in a pinch and need to get your vehicle running. Engines can have difficulty starting after sitting unused or in extremely cold temperatures.Ī spritz of starter fluid is usually enough to get it going, but what if you don’t have any on hand? Can you use brake cleaner to start an engine instead of starter fluid?

Starting fluid as carb cleaner