Preheating M 20 C on cold mornings!

[woodman86]

Yesterday I couldn’t start my 1964M 20 C I’m thinking of preheating it on cold mornings what is the best most efficient way all comments welcome, thanks

[GeeBee]

During cold weather, I keep my Aerotherm Deuce on my engine continuously. Warm air heat warms the whole engine and the oil sump, keeps moisture at bay and after start the oil is a temperature immediately.

 

[Mooneymite]

32 minutes ago, woodman86 said:

Yesterday I couldn’t start my 1964M 20 C I’m thinking of preheating it on cold mornings what is the best most efficient way all comments welcome, thanks

How cold was it?

Trouble cold starting a C can sometimes indicate underlying problems like weak accelerator pump on the carburetor, weak shower of sparks, weak starter, weak battery, etc.  While preheating may get you started, it doesn't fix the real problem. 

However, sometimes it's just too cold to start without pre-heating, a warm hangar, or moving south!  

[ohdub]

I have a Tanis heater and a blanket over the cowl. I'll turn it on at least 4 hours before flying - 8 hours if it's really cold. 

[A64Pilot]

Preheating is always good, as is multi-vis oil

Depending on your funds and needs preheating can take many courses. I have never had a serious need so I used to preheat my maule with a forced air heater and a piece of sheet metal to direct the air into the engine.

Or you can buy a whole system and spend some real money if you have a real need for it

[FlySafe]

1 hour ago, woodman86 said:

Yesterday I couldn’t start my 1964M 20 C I’m thinking of preheating it on cold mornings what is the best most efficient way all comments welcome, thanks

Woodman86, Agree with mooneymite about battery and rest of electrical system as possible issue; one source suggests after 3-4 years an average aircraft battery may be living on borrowed time depending on how its cared for and used.  I've had very good look with the standard reiff system ~$600 as i recall. about 2 hrs labor to install, gives me an 80-degree delta in 6-8hrs on the cylinders and 100 on the oil with cower cover on and when on the ramp. usually start it 12 hrs before flight with remote wifi switch to give the battery time to warm up as well and use it whenever the outside temp <50. Lycoming suggests heat when temps <20, others <50 so do your research and decide what’s best for you. I opt for <50 to minimize engine wear at start up figuring a few extra hrs of electricity is cheap compared to an overhaul. good luck

http://www.reiffpreheat.com/product.htm#Standard System

[FlyingDude]

1 hour ago, woodman86 said:

Yesterday I couldn’t start my 1964M 20 C I’m thinking of preheating it on cold mornings what is the best most efficient way all comments welcome, thanks

What was the ambient temperature?

[Hank]

1 hour ago, woodman86 said:

Yesterday I couldn’t start my 1964M 20 C I’m thinking of preheating it on cold mornings what is the best most efficient way all comments welcome, thanks

My C has a Tanis oil sump heater. Usually plugging in for an hour is enough to start, even when I lived in WV.

A good option is a cellular switch, plug in when you put the plane away, then call or text before you fly and arrive to a Mooney that's ready to go. 

[Utah20Gflyer]

How much priming did you do? When it’s warm my plane will start with 2 pumps of the throttle, when it’s cold it’s 10 or 12.  If I try to start it with 2 or 5 when it’s really cold it takes a whole bunch of tries to start it.  Preheating will make things a lot easier.  Good luck

[David Lloyd]

Just as a point of reference, I had an EZ Heat pad on the sump of the IO360 parallel valve in the RV.  Would cover the cowl and openings with a cargo blanket and plug in the night before.  On a 20* morning, all the cylinder head temps, EGTs, and oil temperatures showed between 75 and 80* before start up.

Prior to having the EZ Heat pad, I used a cube shaped ceramic heater with a dryer duct directing warm air thru the cowl duct to the back of the engine.  Temps on a 20* morning would run between 55 and 80* depending on where the warm air was directed.

I would expect similar results with Rieff, Tanis, etc.  The engine doesn't need to be hot, anything more than 45* and it should fire right up, unless there is some other problem.

0* temps outside on the ramp with the wind blowing may present a different challenge.

[carusoam]

My M20C lived outside…

Cold starts down to 20°F…

Below 20°F required pre-heat…

 

Engines you like get pre-heat below 40°F…

I often rented the pre-heat service a couple times each year…

Best regards,

-a-

[Pinecone]

I did some research last winter.

Both Continental and Lycoming recommend preheating if the temperature is below 20F.  And that the engine has sat for several hours (I seem to remember 4).

Interestingly, Continental recommends against full time pre-heating.

[carusoam]

Great mid-summer discussion to have…. Summer is coming, let’s get warmed up… 

Pre-heating above 40°F doesn’t get any interest…

Below 40°F people get concerned about oil viscosity and lubrication… the amount of prime starts to increase

near 30°F the rate of evaporation of primed fuel becomes more noticeable…

At and above 20°F it is still possible to get an O360 started without any preheat… get it right, or kill the battery trying… expect a lot of fuel draining on the front tire… which is not really a good idea…

Below 20°F preheat is a really good idea…

Continental has interesting instructions about when pre-heating is required… Continental owners pre-hear at much warmer temperatures than absolutely required… 

Full time heating an engine takes some additional effort… rate of corrosion is increased with temps… expect to use a dehydrator if you are using long term heating…

Watch your DAs when temps are this low… >100% bhp is easy to get…

PP thoughts only, looking forward to the warmer weather…

Best regards,

-a-