Winter Issues

[Skyatty]

My '77 M20J is hangered in Salt Lake City where the average temps for November through March are 41, 30, 28, 34 and 41 and the average minimum temperatures over that period are 31, 22, 19, 25 and 31 (and yes, for your people in Texas, those temps reflect Fahrenheit not Celsius).  The aircraft does not have an engine heater and the hangar is not heated.  What can you tell me about engine heaters versus space heaters or other means of getting the engine ready to fly? 

How long before takeoff do you need to preheat the engine (I expect it depends on the device being used)?  Also, Don Maxwell recommended 15W50 oil for my airplane, should I change grades in the winter (I have an oil change coming up so now would be the time to make the change).

[GeorgePerry]

Thread link to Pre-heaters:

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=115

As you read down you'll come across my "homemade" pre-heater.  It's got a thermostat.  I put it on low heat and let it run overnight if I have an early take off.   For quicker heating, I put in on high heat and let it run for 30-40 minutes...Basically pre-flight, load up, file, make a head-call etc. while the motor and oil warms.

Once the engine is started I usually allow plenty of time for the temps to come up.  Close the cowl flaps, keep the RPM's at 1000-1200 for at least the first 5 minutes.  After things are warm, I perform an "extended" run up, with the mixture well leaned to get some heat in the cylinder heads, and the oil as it flows around.  A word of caution, do not cycle the prop until the engine oil temp is in the green, and then pull the prop back very slowly until the RPM's drop slightly.  Never grab the prop handle and rapidly pull it low RPM with cold oil.  That puts alot of stress on the seals and mechanism.

As for Oil there's a great webinar from SAVVY that'll really help you out wrt all your oil questions.  http://www.savvymx.com/index.php/all-about-oil

For me, In cold weather, I think a multigrade oil is the way to go.  I use Exxon Elite, 20W-50 semi-synthetic (25%).  Great oil with good cold weather viscosity and anti corrosion properties.  http://www.eliteetc.com/exavoilel20.html

All of the above is my opinion, others mileage might vary, but I hope this helps...Fly safe

[Piloto]

An example of a portable heater.

José