It's cold as **** outside and I decided to work from home instead of my office for 5 days. I went to start my truck and it won't start. Was thinking some starter fluid would get it going, but I have no idea where to spray it. I know in the carborator (from motorcycle experience) but I don't know where to look.

1999 Ford F-150 (looks like the picture in the top left corner)

 

Just spray a little into your air intake. Id try and take the filter out and spray as far "down stream" in the air intake as you can

 

Before you do that - verify it *IS* cranking but just won't fire? Check the Schrader valve on the fuel rail for fuel pressure. If you have water in the gas, it may be frozen in the filter or even in the pump.

 

Starter fluid=poison. if it cranks but wont start you need to check fuel pressure.

 

Yep - it's ether. It washes oil right off the cylinder walls.

 

You don't spray it any where on your truck or in the engine intake....unless you just like replacing the intake gaskets. Yep, eats 'em right up. If you think that'll fix it, use gas instead and pour a little in the intake, but no solvents like carb cleaner, starting fluid, etc. But if the fuel pressure isn't there, it won't stay running. Have you changed the fuel filter lately? You might have water in the gas lines and its frozen. Can be a lot of things.

 

Starter fluid is for killing mosquitoes and self defense. You have another issue to address.

 

If the truck is maintained in proper condition it will start as designed.
Fuel injection provides fuel under pressure, ignition is over designed so it supplies spark under EGR conditions, so is not normally an issue.
Your battery and charge system if in good condition will start the truck in sub zero temps providing no heavy oil weights are used other than the 5w20 weights.
If you have a problem now you will keep having it until the truck is brought up to condition.
If there is a slow cranking issue, battery voltage will be down affecting ignition voltage supply. Find out what the problem is.
If crank is ok and no start, check fuel pressure and be sure there is no water in the gas affecting running.
The last thing you can do is look at the live data with a Scanner to see if the CHT and IAT are registering proper signals the computer uses to set fuel amounts, ignition timing and open the IAC for high idle under cold start conditions.
The use of starting fluid is only trying to get around all this and does not clear any problems..
Be awhere that a backfire could blow the intake hoses apart.
Starting fluid works as well outside the cylinders as it does in them, in an enclosed space.
Good luck.

 

I would not use starter fluid. I agree with jethat that starter fluid = poison.

If your truck truely won't start due to cold weather (and not mechanical issues) the best way to start it is to warm it up. You don't have a block heater and you live in a cold climate? If it were me I would find a buddy with a heated garage and get it towed or rent and outdoor heater and warm the motor. If it gets that cold I would get a block heater or and in-line heater installed so you don't have this problem again.