can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

[delsol]

this might sound crazy but i was raeding past posts and a person was using staring fuild to start outboard and was told to use wd40??instead of starting fluid...also they gave better idea on using electric chokeon v-4 johnson.....but wd40

 

[JB]

Re: can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

Don't use WD-40. It no longer uses propane as an accellerant and it contains CO-2 and oils.<br /><br />On your 4 stroke regular starting fluid in small doses is okay.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[delsol]

Re: can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

thanks jb but what about 2 stroke with starting fluid will it hurt outboat engine in small doses

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

You would be much better off with a small squirt bottle of premix. Starting fluid washes all the lubrication from the important parts of your engine.

 

[mjake]

Re: can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

It would appear to me that if you have to use starting fluid to start your engine then you are not properly maintaining it. Proper maintenance and upkeep should not require this. Just my thoughts. no derogatory intent implied.

 

[JB]

Re: can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

Bobby.<br /><br />WD-40 was created as a degreaser and water displacer. The name comes from Water Displacer, formula 40.<br /><br />The original formula used propane gas to pressurize it and to help the degreasing. The water displacing and lubricating ingredients left a film of oil after the propane evaporated, which was very quick.<br /><br />That formulation made it a wonderful starting fluid for 2 strokes.<br /><br />A couple of years ago some TV show made a big deal out of how flammable it was (It said EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE on the label. Duhh!).<br /><br />Now it is pressurized with CO-2, which is used in fire extinguishers. It is still flammable but would make a lousy starting fluid for anything. It isn't as good a degreaser, either.

 

[BillP]

Re: can you use wd40 to start a hard starting motor

Old wd40 flashed off on me once while working inside the fuselage of a homebuilt plane...scared me bad. All it took was a brush of the batt pos terminal with a wrench and bam. No fires but that was the last time I worked without a fire extingusher at my side...still do.<br /><br />When in a jamb, I've used carb cleaner spray for starter fluid...works just like ether. I have little concern of spray starter fluid doing damage on a 2 cycle engine. The cyl already has mixed oil/fuel in it. The split second at start with fluid at 800 rmps won't compromise the lube enough to know it(in my humble opinion).