What Can I Use as a Small Engine Starter Fluid? (Answered)

Engines are an integral part of any power based machines. But there are different kinds of engines available for different kinds of machines. Small engines are found in machines like lawn mowers, concrete mixers, and generators etc. 

Today, we are going to discuss and find out what one can use as small engine starter fluid. 

What Can I Use As A Small Engine Starter Fluid?

Apart from starter fluid, many other materials like carb cleaner, WD-40, brake fluid, and premixed gas can be used to start a small engine. If the small engine fails to start even after using these elements, then several parts of the small engine need to be replaced.

There are several things you can use as a small engine starter fluid. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

Premixed gas:

Premixed gas is one of the most useful components that is applied to start a small engine. Premixed gas is used to stop the cylinder walls from drying out. Dry cylinder walls are often the cause of small engine failure. 

WD-40:

WD-40 fluid is an amazing cleaning agent that can be used to clean several parts of your small engine. The small engine sometimes fails to start when its parts are either clogged or dirty. WD-40 is mostly used in wet and cold conditions.

Carb Cleaner:

The main purpose of carb cleaner is to clean the carburetor chamber of a small engine. But it can definitely be used as a starter fluid for the small engine. 

The cleaning components of carb cleaner enables you to clean crucial parts of your small engine which in return helps the engine to start. 

Brake fluid:

Brake fluid is not a highly rated alternative of starter fluid. The reason behind this is the doubt about the combustibility of brake fluid. But it can be applied to start a small engine in times of emergency.

Can you use wd-40 instead of starting fluid?

WD-40 is known for being one of the best multi use liquid products. The basic use of WD-40 is to remove any kind of unwanted spots and marks from various kinds of surfaces including metals. There are many other useful things you can do with the help of WD-40. 

WD-40 is recommended by experts as starter fluid for its cleaning ability. You can clean your small engine with WD-40 to give it a boost and save it from wet conditions. 

WD-40 can be used to get rid of moisture from critical parts of the engine like ignition distributors and spark plugs and help it to get started. You can certainly go for WD-40 instead of starting fluid if your small engine fails to start on its own. 

Can I use carb cleaner instead of starting fluid?

The short form of carburetor cleaner is carb cleaner. Carb cleaner is an amazing product that is known for its quick cleaning capabilities. It is used as an alternative of starting fluid to clean different parts of the engine including the carburetor. 

It is believed by experts that carb cleaner is crucial for maintaining the air and fuel ratio of your small engine. 

You can surely use carb cleaner instead of starting fluid to start your small engine. The carb cleaner that comes in an aerosol spray can is to be used as a starting fluid as it is known for possessing materials åthat are combustible. 

Carb cleaner is an effective cleaning product that can certainly help you to start your small engine in cold or wet conditions. But carb cleaner should only be used instead of starting fluid in times of emergency.

Can you use brake fluid as starting fluid?

Brake fluid is basically used to clean the brakes of a machine. But it can also be used as an alternative to starting fluid. Although the effectiveness of brake fluid as a starting fluid is sometimes questioned as it is not highly combustible. 

But brake fluid can be used when an emergency situation arises and you have no starting fluid at hand. 

Even if something can be used as an alternative, it should not be used if it does more harm than good. That is the same case for brake fluid and should only be used in dire situations only. 

So you can certainly use brake fluid to start a small engine if you do not have any other alternatives left at hand. 

Is starter fluid bad for small engines?

Starter fluid can be bad for small engines if it is not used in a proper way. If you use too much starter fluid to start your small engine, then it will most likely damage several parts of your small engine. That is why it is important to use starter fluid in small portions. 

Starter fluid can be an effective product when it comes to starting your small engine in wet and cold conditions. But the same starter fluid can become the cause of engine failure if it is used too much. 

Because too much starter fluid can make the inside part of your small engine excessively dry. 

Coming back to the point of using starter fluid in a proper way, using any liquid in your engine without following the correct guideline can ruin the performance of your small engine. 

So starter fluid being good or bad for your small engine depends largely upon how you manage to use it.

How to start a small engine without starter fluid?

Starting a small engine without starter fluid can seem like a daunting task. But there are some methods and steps that can help you to accomplish this task. Let’s discuss them in detail. 

Find out the problem:

First of all, you will need to detach the air filter of the small engine if your small engine fails to start. Then, you will have to apply a small amount of aerosol lubricant that is petroleum based on the carburetor throat. 

If the small engine fails to carry on after starting, then the problem lies in the fuel or other parts of your small engine. 

You will need to get all the parts of your engine checked by a mechanic to find out the exact problem of engine failure. 

Get rid of the old fuel:

You will need to get rid of your old fuel if your small engine seems to have a starting problem. You will need to get the old fuel replaced by new fuel. Your fuel can become dirty when it becomes old due to corrosion and rust. 

Get rid of the bad spark plug:

Spark plug is an integral part of your small engine. Your spark plug can go bad for several reasons. You will need to get rid of your bad spark plug if you fail to get your small engine started. You can also attempt to clean the spark plug to get it fixed.

Clean the carburetor:

You can try to clean the carburetor chamber of your small engine using white vinegar. If you fail to clean your carburetor, you will have to replace it with a new one. This will help you to start the small engine.

Where to spray starter fluid on the small engine?

Spraying starter fluid on the small engine can be tricky if you have no prior experience of doing it. However, it can be done easily if you manage to follow the correct guideline. First of all, you will need to find the air filter housing of your small engine machine. 

Then, you will need to use a screwdriver to smoothly get rid of the air filter from the housing section. 

The carburetor chamber of the small engine should be underneath the air filter. You will need to spray your starting fluid on the carburetor chamber in small portions. The speed of your small engine has to be set at the midpoint after you have sprayed the starter fluid. 

On the other hand, the engine has to be adjusted to full choke at this point of time. 

After you have applied starter fluid on the carburetor chamber, you will need to try to start your small engine. If the engine still fails to start, then the problem lies at some other parts of your engine. 

You will need to get your small engine checked by a mechanic to find the exact problem of engine failure.

Final Thoughts

Starter fluid, WD -40, carb cleaner, petroleum based lubricant, premixed gas, and brake fluid can be applied to start a small engine. These elements can be used to clean different parts of the small engine and help the engine to start. But using these elements should not become a regular practice.