dmevans Posted August 2, 2010 Report Posted August 2, 2010 I have a question.... Why does Lycoming recommend starting the IO-360 with the mixture leaned when starting the engine cold? I understand for hot starts, but why on a cold start? If the engine is COLD I perform the following: 1.) Mixture rich 2.) Electric Fuel Pump - Prime engine until fuel pressure peaks. Takes about 1 - 1.5 seconds 3.) Throttle - Crack 1/2" 4.) Crank Until Engine Start 5.) Lean aggressively Some of the advantages I noticed... -Engine fires up after 1-2 blades (Almost instantaneously) -Engine seems to "Light off" a lot smoother Can anyone provide any information as to why I shouldn't start the engine this way? I was thinking fouled plugs due to too much fuel in the cylinders, etc... I haven't seen any of these issues. Also, I have tested this method at high elevation airports and various temperatures (50df - 100df). I have yet to run across a problem. Thanks in advance. -Derek 1
eaglebkh Posted August 2, 2010 Report Posted August 2, 2010 I don't know either, but I delivered an Arrow for a friend a few weeks ago and cut the mixture back to lean out of habit after priming and it would not start. Then I caught myself doing it on the second attempt and left it full rich and it started right up.
Parker_Woodruff Posted August 2, 2010 Report Posted August 2, 2010 The fuel system of a Lycoming (Bendix/RSA) is entirely different than a Teledyne Continental fuel system. However, I cannot say for sure why the Continental fuel system is started with the mixture Rich.
DaV8or Posted August 3, 2010 Report Posted August 3, 2010 Quote: dmevans If the engine is COLD I perform the following: 1.) Mixture rich 2.) Electric Fuel Pump - Prime engine until fuel pressure peaks. Takes about 1 - 1.5 seconds 3.) Throttle - Crack 1/2" 4.) Crank Until Engine Start 5.) Lean aggressively
crxcte Posted August 9, 2010 Report Posted August 9, 2010 When I start cold I use a 1/2" throttle and full rich, then turn on the fuel pump until the pressure comes up and count thousand 1 to 5 then turn off and pull full lean. It always starts on the 1-2 blades. The trick is to make sure you count to 5 after the fuel pressure is in the green.
flyingvee201 Posted July 28, 2013 Report Posted July 28, 2013 I tried this method today, and my lycoming io360 started in less that one blade! But I think waiting too long to engage the starter after priming may cause flooding. I think I found my new method to start a cold lycoming! I have a question.... Why does Lycoming recommend starting the IO-360 with the mixture leaned when starting the engine cold? I understand for hot starts, but why on a cold start? If the engine is COLD I perform the following: 1.) Mixture rich 2.) Electric Fuel Pump - Prime engine until fuel pressure peaks. Takes about 1 - 1.5 seconds 3.) Throttle - Crack 1/2" 4.) Crank Until Engine Start 5.) Lean aggressively Some of the advantages I noticed... -Engine fires up after 1-2 blades (Almost instantaneously) -Engine seems to "Light off" a lot smoother Can anyone provide any information as to why I shouldn't start the engine this way? I was thinking fouled plugs due to too much fuel in the cylinders, etc... I haven't seen any of these issues. Also, I have tested this method at high elevation airports and various temperatures (50df - 100df). I have yet to run across a problem. Thanks in advance. -Derek
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