Best way to Pre-Heat or Cold Start an Engine away from home

[Hedge]

I am out of town for Thanksgiving and my plane is at a small airfield outside.  Well it is cold here and I am trying to figure out the best way to get heat to my girl.

 

If I can't, what is the best way to start the cold girl.  Temps are in the low 30s F.

 

My bird is always in a hangar with heat, so she isn't used to being cold.

[N201MKTurbo]

My experience is that the two biggest problems are not enough starting power and frosted plugs.

Pull the engine through a few revolutions until it loosens up. Then try to start it normally. If it cranks ok but doesn't fire you probably frosted the plugs. If you flood it, then try to start it with WOT and the mixture at ICO. It will probably start eventually. Usually one cylinder at a time.

If it doesn't crank very we'll let it sit for five minutes. You have heated up the battery by cranking. Let the heat work it's way through the battery and it will crank better after a few minutes.

[Cruiser]

I am assuming there is no pre heater available from the FBO.

 

Get them to put it inside, string an extension cord with a light bulb into the cowl.

 

But if I had to start without any heat, low 30s is on my lower limit for starting temperature.

I have heard that heating a quart of oil and adding to the engine can help.

Just keep the RPM low until the engne is warmed up and the oil is over 100°F

[Hank]

I run an extension cord to my oil sump heater, if makes all the difference in the world.

Be prepared, though, for everything to take longer. Two weeks ago, mine slept outside and the cord came unplugged. I gave her 40 minutes (I prefer 60) due to timing, she turned over slowly, spat once and I let go. Cranked her again, she turned and turned and turned, finally coughed a few times and caught. Took probably three minutes for the G430W to initialize and start looking for satellites.

The reward for cold mornings is the climb out! I was about 1200 msl in the NC mountains, and climbed out around 1200 fpm in my C! Solo, no bags, and about 15 gals fuel for a 47 nm flight for lunch, meeting and fuel--bought 42 gals to fill me to capacity (52 gals total).

[Hedge]

Private airstrip, no FBO, no hangar available and no electric.  Thanks for the quick tips.

 

Mark

[Bob_Belville]

You might want to consider a 12V/120V inverter to power a heater or hair dryer off your car. They cost from under $30 for 400W on up. A Mooney flying friend posted a pic of her hair dryer stuck in the air intake port of their 231.

 

www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC/ref=pd_sim_e_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KH5P4F1VA0RK5YEHBXJ

[ArtVandelay]

You might want to consider a 12V/120V inverter to power a heater or hair dryer off your car. They cost from under $30 for 400W on up. A Mooney flying friend posted a pic of her hair dryer stuck in the air intake port of their 231.

www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC/ref=pd_sim_e_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1KH5P4F1VA0RK5YEHBXJ

Why not some plastic tubing to run from exhaust pipe of your car to air intake?

[Bob_Belville]

Why not some plastic tubing to run from exhaust pipe of your car to air intake?

Sounds corrosive to me... certainly damp... CO...

[ArtVandelay]

Sounds corrosive to me... certainly damp... CO...

They use propane to preheat engines?!

[dcrogers11]

I tried the exhaust tailpipe method once and would prefer to not do it again.  I ran a dryer vent hose from the tailpipe and up into the cowl flaps.  Everything was soaked from the moisture.  I couldn't tell how corrosive it was, but it just can't be that good for it.  I thought I might take the battery out and keep it warm as a plan B, but ended up getting the plane to start.

 

Don

[Piloto]

Try one of these portable heaters. Check with the FBO for preheat. Put cowling vent plugs on the forward cylinders and rags in the cowl flaps gaps and let sunlight warm up the engine. If the oil drips out off the dipstick it is warm enough for engine start. 

 

José

[flyingvee201]

You options are limited since you said, no 120v, no hangar and no FBO.

Bob Belville is a great option.

Buying a Red Dragon that runs its blower on your car battery is another option.

Go one youtube and you will see what the guys up in the Alaskan Tundra do!  Use propane stove burners and pipe it into the cowl flap.

 

I think since you are already at the airport, your best bet is Bob's idea for now.

[Zingesser]

I've used starter fluid with good results. Heard about it from Dick Leinert who ran Conn. Mooney for many years.

Starter fluid is available in auto supply stores. It's ether. Spray it in the air intake and jump back in the plane and give it a go.

[yvesg]

Here is my setup for Canada. I put the sleeping bag on the cowl to help heat stay in. The original 120V fan for the blower was replaced by a 12 V one. We carry a 12 V battery pack...this setup has never let us down. Coldest we did was. -30 degrees Celcius.

Yves

[Awful_Charlie]

Private airstrip, no FBO, no hangar available and no electric.  Thanks for the quick tips.

 

Mark

 

 

Try one of these portable heaters. Check with the FBO for preheat. Put cowling vent plugs on the forward cylinders and rags in the cowl flaps gaps and let sunlight warm up the engine. If the oil drips out off the dipstick it is warm enough for engine start. 

 

José

 

How do you get one of those heaters in the aircraft José - does it fit through the baggage door, or do you go through the main door? (and do you have to take some of the seats out?) What fuel does it run on too - AvGas would be a bonus, as it's technically illegal over here to carry fuel in the baggage bay

[Jeff_S]

Not to be the naysayer here, but low 30's on a Lycoming engine which is no doubt pretty worn in doesn't sound like a problem to me. I say just follow standard starting procedure but yes, do keep RPMs down until the oil has warmed up.

[Andy95W]

Not to be the naysayer here, but low 30's on a Lycoming engine which is no doubt pretty worn in doesn't sound like a problem to me. I say just follow standard starting procedure but yes, do keep RPMs down until the oil has warmed up.

Totally agree. Lycoming literature I've read starts talking preheat below about 20°F. I always figured I was being conservative and gentle by preheating below 30°F. Low 30°s? No problem.

[ArtVandelay]

Totally agree. Lycoming literature I've read starts talking preheat below about 20°F. I always figured I was being conservative and gentle by preheating below 30°F. Low 30°s? No problem.

Doesn't that depend on type of oil you are using?

[Guest]

Here is my setup for Canada. I put the sleeping bag on the cowl to help heat stay in. The original 120V fan for the blower was replaced by a 12 V one. We carry a 12 V battery pack...this setup has never let us down. Coldest we did was. -30 degrees Celcius.

Yves

Yves,

I think your system has some leaks; all the snow around your plane has melted.

Clarence

[carusoam]

100LL doesn't evaporate enough in the low 20s...°F

Most C pilots know this by the number of throttle pumps it takes to get started. Knowing that excess unevaporated fuel will be running to the ground...

Get the intake pipes warmed, you get evaporation.

The Lyc recommendation is probably more to get it started than to get it oiled properly...

Preheating does both. Pre-oiling would be nice too...

Splash oiling requires 1000rpm or so? Follow the POH, avoid low idle while cold...

Best regards,

-a-

[Piloto]

Here in Florida they put the homeless in shelters when the temp drops below 40F. Also free snow removal for everyone. Try that in NY. You know who is Canadian because they are the only ones in the water at the beaches.

 

José

[N201MKTurbo]

Here in Florida they put the homeless in shelters when the temp drops below 40F. Also free snow removal for everyone. Try that in NY. You know who is Canadian because they are the only ones in the water at the beaches.

 

José

My wife wears a jacket when it is 115 outside (actually it is for the stores and theaters)

Our state is full of Canadians, thay keep our hockey team in business. And they are the ones laying out by the pool in the dead of winter when the locals are wearing shoes and long pants.

[Ned Gravel]

Our state is full of Canadians, they keep our hockey team in business. And they are the ones laying out by the pool in the dead of winter when the locals are wearing shoes and long pants.

 

That's us.  Adding a little class to an otherwise dreary winter.  Hey!  Arizona is balmy compared to Ottawa in the winter......

[blaine beaven]

I am always parked outdoors here in Canada, and this is my set up:

 

Wing, tail, and canopy covers to prevent any frost/snow/ice on the wings.

 

Insulated engine cover with spinner cover and blade sleeves (keeps freezing rain off the blades).

 

For the engine I have a "Little Buddy" 750W heater that I pop in the pilot side cowl opening and it sits on top of the cylinders. This keeps warm air moving in the engine bay and heats the accessories as well. I also have a 250W silicone stick on oil pan heater with a thermostat. It does a very good job of keeping the oil warm.

 

In the interior I have a 1500W space heater that sits right in front of the pilot seat and blows under the panel. For the battery I have an intelligent battery charger that I plug into my cigarette lighter which is always hot, it backfeeds a 2Amp charge to the battery if it is discharging. The cords for these go out the pilot window which I plug with a huge piece of foam.

 

I went flying yesterday in -24 Celsius and it started no problem. I just throw everything in the baggage area before I blast off.

 

Probably a bit colder of temps than most of you get to deal with...

 

Blaine

[dcrogers11]

I am always parked outdoors here in Canada, and this is my set up:

 

Wing, tail, and canopy covers to prevent any frost/snow/ice on the wings.

 

Insulated engine cover with spinner cover and blade sleeves (keeps freezing rain off the blades).

 

For the engine I have a "Little Buddy" 750W heater that I pop in the pilot side cowl opening and it sits on top of the cylinders. This keeps warm air moving in the engine bay and heats the accessories as well. I also have a 250W silicone stick on oil pan heater with a thermostat. It does a very good job of keeping the oil warm.

 

In the interior I have a 1500W space heater that sits right in front of the pilot seat and blows under the panel. For the battery I have an intelligent battery charger that I plug into my cigarette lighter which is always hot, it backfeeds a 2Amp charge to the battery if it is discharging. The cords for these go out the pilot window which I plug with a huge piece of foam.

 

I went flying yesterday in -24 Celsius and it started no problem. I just throw everything in the baggage area before I blast off.

 

Probably a bit colder of temps than most of you get to deal with...

 

Blaine

 

Man, you guys are tough!  I'm in Texas and I use my heater to warm my plane when my enclosed, insulated hanger temps drop below +50 degrees F.   BTW, what oil are you using and what is the coldest temps you have started your plane in.  When you first start the engine with the setup you have, what is your initial oil temp at startup. 

 

Don