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May 31, 2026 at 12:22 pm
#320477
chat reply…
Yes. There are some starting fluids that contain an upper-cylinder lubricant to reduce the “dry wash” effect that plain ether-based starting fluid can cause.
Examples include:
- Johnsen’s Premium Starting Fluid with Lubricity Additive
- STA-BIL Starting Fluid with upper-cylinder lubricant
- Some diesel-specific starting aids contain lubricating oil additives
However, even these products provide only a very small amount of lubrication. They are not a substitute for the normal oil film supplied by the engine’s fuel/oil system.
For a 2-stroke outboard such as a Johnson, Evinrude, or E-TEC, many mechanics prefer:
- Premixed fuel sprayed into the intake.
- A fogging oil spray.
- A small amount of 2-stroke oil mixed with gasoline in a spray bottle.
These methods provide much better lubrication than ether-based starting fluid.
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