A friend of mine and I have the same motor, 2008, 50HP Merc, Electric Start, 2-stroke. Both motors are difficult to start; however, once motor is wamed up, they start right away. He ran a 5/8" rubber hose, through one of the plugged holes at the top of the engine housing to the air intake. Now when he pumps the gas hose up he squirts a shot of ether (or a starter spary of some sort) into the hose and the engine starts on the first turn of the key. I am very reluctant to do this; but, on the other hand it sure would be nice to have motor start right up. I've tried everything else.

Is what he is doing harmful to the engine?