Unpopular opinion: carb cleaner beats starter fluid every time

My '86 F-150 wouldn't fire after sitting 4 months. Everyone said hit it with starting fluid. Tried carb cleaner straight into the intake instead. Fired right up on the first crank. Has anyone else had better luck with carb cleaner on a cold engine?

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2 Comments

paul_morgan2mo ago

Carb cleaner works way better on a cold motor, starter fluid is just asking for trouble.

6

brooke4842mo ago

Had an old 83 Chevy pickup I used to work on, that thing would not start for anything when it was hot. Tried starter fluid once on a warm engine, nearly blew the intake gasket out. Learned my lesson real fast. After that, I'd just pull the air filter, spray carb cleaner straight into the throat while cranking it cold, and she'd fire right up. Never had that backfire issue either, cleaner burns way slower I think. Now I stash a can in my truck year round just for that.

5