Warm starting an F!

[rdv]

What a freaking chore this is for someone who has zero experience! I feel like I need to travel around with a spare batt and jumper cables. Man, if starter motors could talk...it would have mabe me blush on my last couple flights. So to all you high time mooney drivers out there, this rookie wants to know...how the heck do I start the warm IO-360-A1A im my 67-F!?!?

 

Ryan the flywheel grinder.

[DaV8or]

I'm a new Mooney F owner too, so I'm no authority, but I do have a couple hundred hours in a Piper Arrow IV that has pretty much the same engine. I have found that "warm" and "hot" are relative terms and the engine, being air cooled, cool off a lot quicker than we sometimes think. I'm not sure exactly what the time is, but at some point sooner than I think, the cold start proceedure works just fine. Today for the first time, I "hot" restarted my Mooney after refueling. I just primed it a little less (3 seconds vs. 5) than usual and it worked OK. Not great, not bad, just OK. So I'm still working on it too.

My big question is, how do I get my Mooney to start without a bang! So far, mine (I've only started it five times so far!) goes a few blades and then BANG! it goes, but not without sounding like it's trying to break the engine mount. It's a pretty violent start. Should I try priming it a bit more?

[dmevans]

I've had to hot start my 67' F four times since I took ownership last weekend. I use the method almost all Mooney pilots recommend and it has worked like a charm without fail.

1. Set throttle at 1000 RPM before shutdown

2. When getting back into the cockpit, don't touch the throttle.

3. Fuel pump is NOT used

4. DO NOT touch the throttle

5. Mixture - Full Lean

6. Crank engine until it fires/sputters then gradually increase the mixture

[Qwalton]

Dave, I know we don't have the same engine but I thought I'd throw out that my engine usually starts with quite a bang as well.  The one other Mooney I've ever been in also started in a similar way. 

[Ned Gravel]

Ryan:

Don't beat yourself up too much.  This topic has been done twice on Mooneyspace and you will be surprised at the similarities and differences in the methods used by the more experienced folks.

Here are the two threads - good hunting.

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=2&threadid=211

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=917

 

[GeorgePerry]

Two words - Skytec Starter.

If you don't have one, then Hot starts can be extremely difficult, if not impossible, even with perfect technique

[Ned Gravel]

I agree with George:

The procedural tricks will make life easier and you can learn what they are from the threads I posted as well as the set provided by dmevans.  But that Skytec can make up for all of our shortcomings. 

 

[KJATCt]

Quote: dmevans

I've had to hot start my 67' F four times since I took ownership last weekend. I use the method almost all Mooney pilots recommend and it has worked like a charm without fail.

1. Set throttle at 1000 RPM before shutdown

2. When getting back into the cockpit, don't touch the throttle.

3. Fuel pump is NOT used

4. DO NOT touch the throttle

5. Mixture - Full Lean

6. Crank engine until it fires/sputters then gradually increase the mixture

[Ned Gravel]

My own approach is the same as mentioned by dmevans too.  Only difference is my setting is for 1200 rpm instead of 1000.

 

[rdv]

Thanks guys, I'll give these tips a try.

[scottfromiowa]

I shut down at 1500rpm and don't touch a thing.  With master on I run electric fuel pump with mixture at idle cut-off to pressureize the fuel line about 3 seconds (address any vapor lock with hot day and warm engine)...worked great last two times I did with plane sitting 15 minutes to a 1/2 hour...The bang/back-fire may be too much fuel?  This could possibly damage the muffler/exhaust couldn't it?  I don't have this with my E...I don't think this is normal for an I0-360A1A power plant at start.

[KLRDMD]

Quote: scottfromiowa

With master on I run electric fuel pump with mixture at idle cut-off to pressureize the fuel line about 3 seconds (address any vapor lock with hot day and warm engine)...

[Immelman]

Quote: KLRDMD

For a Continental, the above makes sense. For a Lycoming, not so much.

[scottfromiowa]

Maybe I just need a rabbits foot on my keychain...Naw it would cover up my GEM...

[crxcte]

I've been cranking mine hot for 12 years.  Before shut down I turn the fuel switch to off until it dies.  Keeps fuel from running in the engine after it quits.  Then 1/2" throttle, prime full rich 2-3 seconds, full lean, then crank, takes about 8 blades.  Then slowly rich the mixture when it starts.

[HawgDriver]

I follow the 1200RPM and don't touch a thing technique and it works for me quite well.  Sometime after I get a "good" hot start I have to "saw" the throttle from that position to idle a bit until I can get the RPMs up as to get cool liquid fuel down all the spider lines.  But here is something else you can do to help yourself out....

   When you shut down, point the airplane into the wind if possible, and double check the cowl flaps are open (what little ones we have,) and if you are leaving the plane for any amount of time, open up the cowl door and allow as much heat to escape as possible.

Enjoy

 

Cheers,

-HD