Odd Engine Start - Second blade slow motion

[Seth]

Hello Mooney Space!  It's been a while since my last post.  I've launched a second company and that has eaten into a large portion of my time. 

A week and a half ago I was in Philadelphia for a conference.  I flew into Philadelphia International, KPHL, and as usual, they took care of me very nicely.  I've been there a half dozen times.  I left the aircraft parked Tuesday afternoon through Friday early morning. 

Upon start up on Friday morning, it was about 45 degrees outside and I did not have the chance to preheat.  The IO-550 in the Missile likes to be plugged in for a preheat, but at 45 degrees, she's always started, I just give some extra time for a warm up.  As an example, this morning, I plugged in the block heater for about two hours and she started just fine.   3-4 hours is better.

The issue is that when I started the engine the propeller turned once, then the second blade turned in SLOW motion, and then the third blade turned regularly and it started up maybe on the fourth or fifth blade turn (three blade prop).  I had plenty of battery power (the Missile has two batteries) and it did start, but I've never had such a slow turn of the second blade.  Very odd.

Again, sequence went:  "Clear Prop!"  Blade one passes normally, blade 2 starts to pass and from 11:30 to 12:30 it slows down to a snails pace, and then the third blade passes at a normal speed and a few more blade turns later she fires and the engine starts just fine.  

blade 1:  turn

blade 2:  tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

blade 3:  turn

blade 4/5: Starts right up.

What happened?  What could cause this?  Is it reason for concern?

Thanks!

-Seth

[triple8s]

Read up on TCM starter adapters and lightweight starters. Better keep an eye on it, can dump metal in your engine.

 

[Piloto]

The slow blade was probably due to a compression cycle. Check battery voltage.

José

[carusoam]

See if the starter motor has brushes in it's design?

Sounds like a possible weak spot in it's torque producing process.

What's the new business? Aviation, finance, or aviation finance?

Best regards,

-a-

[larryb]

My guess is time for a new battery. Most likely and cheapest option.

[Yetti]

Might have a soft cylinder.... and then a tight one...

[LANCECASPER]

I vote for a new battery

[Seth]

The Missile has two batteries. I keep them on a battery minder in the hanger.  Both are concords and were replaced in 2012.  Never had an issue and since have had no issue or repeat.  I've had slow turning blades on my F model before due to a low battery, but never normal, super slow (12-15 times slower motion) and then normal again.

I'll read up on starter adaptors.

Maybe a soft then tight cylinder as mentioned combined with no preheat 45 degree start.

 

-Seth

[Seth]

18 hours ago, carusoam said:

 

What's the new business? Aviation, finance, or aviation finance?

Best regards,

-a-

 

Finance.  Still a financial advisor and full wealth manager with my own company Ascent Financial Management, but now I'm building up 150 to 200 advisors under me in a separate venture.

 

-Seth

[DonMuncy]

On ‎11‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 4:42 PM, Seth said:

The Missile has two batteries. I keep them on a battery minder in the hanger.  Both are concords and were replaced in 2012.  Never had an issue and since have had no issue or repeat.  I've had slow turning blades on my F model before due to a low battery, but never normal, super slow (12-15 times slower motion) and then normal again.

One of the downsides of Battery Minders is their use can "mask" a sub-par battery. As long as you are in your hangar, everything is great. When you go on a trip for a few days, the sick battery becomes apparent when you try to start. I would have my batteries capacity tested.