Will not fire on starting fluid

[RZinKY]

1999 3500 express truck has set for a couple months and will not start. I tried using starting fluid but will not fire.

would you guys have any idea where to start.

[ronniejoe]

First, using starting fluid is dangerous unless you have disabled the glow plugs. If the glow plugs come on with starting fluid present, all 8 cylinders may try to fire at once (at least the ones that don't have open valves) causing severe mechanical damage (the crank might exit the bottom of the engine). Hopefully, your glow plugs were inoperative...

Does the engine have compression? No fire on starting fluid may indicate that damage has already been done.

Your original problem may be air in the fuel system, inoperable lift pump, inoperable glow plugs, or even a problem with fuel shutoff solenoid.

More information would be helpful.

[6.5 Detroit Diesel]

how good are your batteries? is the engine cranking fast enough?

is there fuel getting to the injectors?

like ronniejoe said, use that fluid with extreme caution. otherwise you will end up with a bigger no start issue then before. ;)

[Pelado]

What starting fluid are you using? If it's WD-40, at least down here, some years ago the formula changed and it's not combustible now.
Anyway, as the other guys said before, BE CAREFULL with the starting fluid.