planebones Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I went out to start my M20-C (has shower of sparks system) this glorious morning for a cruisle around the Tetons. Hangar is kept at 35F, outside it was 8F. (balmy day for eastern Idaho) and I had a hard time starting it . My former Mooney had a primer & life was good. What are your starting techniques? How many times can I pump the throttle with out risking an induction fire? thanks Ken in Driggs ID. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6843N Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 Did you preheat? Anytime you pump raw fuel into an intake you have a chance of an induction fire if you magnetos are not timed correctly or there is a problem with the ignition circuit, switch to mags, that would cause a kick back. 35F is cold enough for a little preheat, I preheated a guys 172 yesterday for a half hour and it was in the 40's here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piperpainter Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 I've had this problem and talked to my mechanic abou it. I have an M20C as well and when I start my airplane in the colder weather I turn on the fuel pump and then pump the throttle in and out about 7 times. If it doesn't kick over in a couple rotations then it might need 3-4 more shots. The colder the weather the more fuel they need to get started. I only do about 3-5 pumps in the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planebones Posted November 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 What kind of preheater rigs have you guys come up with? The cowl flap opening is too small for most hoses to go up there....thanks Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyking Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 My owners maual calls for 5-7 pumps on any day below 35F i do about a half hour of pre heat then 5-7 pumps with the aux fuel pump turned on. Never had a problem doing that russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahso Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Quote: planebones What kind of preheater rigs have you guys come up with? The cowl flap opening is too small for most hoses to go up there....thanks Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgaines Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I always try to preheat if temps are under 40F. I understand it is recommended for temps under 50F. I also have tanus engine heaters and they really help. Just leave the plane plugged in until needed. Starts now are much better with a alternator (instead of the generator) and a new model starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgaines Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I always try to preheat if temps are under 40F. I understand it is recommended for temps under 50F. I also have tanus engine heaters and they really help. Just leave the plane plugged in until needed. Starts now are much better with a alternator (instead of the generator) and a new model starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyking Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I have a little heater called a flybuddy. it fits right in the pilot side cowl flap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Russ: Is yours in a hanger, or on the ramp? You can already tell where mine is. By the way, I like your tagline. Reflects my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyking Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Ned: In a hanger. But we keep the heat turned down to 45F to save on heating bills. So i still do a little pre-heat russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyking Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Ned: Thanks about the tagline Aint it the truth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry 5TJ Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Another viewpoint: My "C" got harder to start last spring in morning temperatures in the 40s, which is cold here in Northern CA. Six or eight flights in a month, all with the same issue—it was just harder to start the normally quick-firing engine. I attributed it to that spell of cold SF weather. Then one morning the left magneto was totally dead at run-up. Both had 500 TT, so I sent both magnetos out for IRAN. Once back, the plane started as of old, just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piperpainter Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 If only I had one of two things... A) a Hanger electrical power at my tie down! God that would be nice! Cold starts would be so much easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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