Cold Weather Start-up Options

[Ghostrider]

Does anyone have any cold weather start-up tips for single-engine pistons? Maybe something during the pre-flight or a start-up configuration? Every now and then I experience some trouble starting up a cold airplane on a cold day (~0 degrees C). Thanks

[The Airbuser]

Does anyone have any cold weather start-up tips for single-engine pistons? Maybe something during the pre-flight or a start-up configuration? Every now and then I experience some trouble starting up a cold airplane on a cold day (~0 degrees C). Thanks

Dammit, I don't know where I left my PA-28 checklist...*looking for it all over the place madly*

[Ghostrider]

Yea, I was starting up a Piper Tomahawk today. It says after priming to leave the primer out and then one the engine starts to catch, push in and lock the primer. This is dandy, but sometimes the engine won't catch. Also, how do you avoid flooding the engine with primer pumps?

[The Airbuser]

Yea, I was starting up a Piper Tomahawk today. It says after priming to leave the primer out and then one the engine starts to catch, push in and lock the primer. This is dandy, but sometimes the engine won't catch. Also, how do you avoid flooding the engine with primer pumps?

I think I am the least indicated person to help you just because of the fact that I live in South America...we don't have cold weather operations in here...

...In fact, I think the primer has been removed from our fleet, that's how unnecesary it is here. Maybe some of the northern guys would help you more than I ever would...an adding the fact that some people in here have my age in just flying experience...

[rjb4000]

It says after priming to leave the primer out and then one the engine starts to catch, push in and lock the primer.

Hmm.. Why is this necessary? I was once told that this leads to engine fires, but having never done this or witnessed it causing an engine fire, I can't say that it would.

Just prime once for every cylinder and give it an extra for the cold weather, then follow the checklist.

[talldude]

ROFL, 0C cold, really? I would sacrifice anything to have that beautiful temperature during winter. Try starting an airplane when its -20 to -30 C.

No one mentioned get an engine preheat, the line guys arent paid to eat a kit kat bar and watch scooby doo.

[Piltdown Man]

What is the problem? - engine not turning, sparks or fuel? The solution depends on the problem.

PM

[WoopWoop]

buy a can of "aerostart"

[cessnapilot72]

ROFL, 0C cold, really? I would sacrifice anything to have that beautiful temperature during winter. Try starting an airplane when its -20 to -30 C.

No one mentioned get an engine preheat, the line guys arent paid to eat a kit kat bar and watch scooby doo.

This. If it's that cold, wherever you are renting from should have an engine preheat. And if it's your plane, then you should. And remember that it's important to preheat the cabin as well as to preheat the engine.

Preheater looks like this: http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&a...roduct_id=11157

[Ghostrider]

Preheater huh? I've never seen or heard of one of those. For some reason our line guys don't do much except drive the fuel trucks. Is not exactly a small airport (Class C), but I guess thats Fresno for you. Eventually I get it started, but if I have a newbie passenger the delayed start is not usually reassuring.

As for you talldude, 0 C is pretty cold for us Californians. We aren't capable of comprehending anything below 0. That was a extremely rare and cold day.

Merry/Happy Christmakwanzakkah to all.

-ghostrider

[rjb4000]

Check it:

http://www.reiffpreheat.com/Article-Visser4.htm