REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat

Thu Nov 11 15:47:12 CST 2010

Thanks Larry I appreciate the education.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Laurence Coen" <lwcoen at hotmail.com>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 1:45 PM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat


> Lou,
>
> I'd like to give you my thoughts on engine preheat and why I favor the 
> sump heater.  All engine starts are cold starts, even on a warm summer 
> day.  When we start up the oil pressure is zero and until oil reaches all 
> parts of the engine that need lubrication, there will be metal to metal 
> contact and high rates of wear.  On start up EGT will be hot almost 
> instantly and CHT will rise rapidly with oil temp the last to respond.  My 
> Franklin engine manual requires a minimum oil temp of 100F before applying 
> full power.  The colder the oil gets, the thicker it gets and the thicker 
> it gets the longer it takes to get where it starts protecting the engine 
> from wear.  My sump heater will heat my oil to about 110F in the dead of 
> winter and with an old quilt over the cowl the rest of the engine 
> compartment is in the 70;s with an over night soak.  The oil cooler and 
> oil lines are full of cold oil but the way both the Franklin and Lycoming 
> work, the external loop is bypassed when it's cold.  I don't know how the 
> Continentals work.
>
> Larry Coen
> N136LC
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Lou Stedman" <stedmanlou at roadrunner.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 7:45 AM
> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat
>
>> My apologies. I didn't think the oil heaters would heat the cylinders as 
>> well. If that is the case, I will plan on doing this. Winters in Western 
>> NY get into the single digits for a couple of months during our winters. 
>> Thanks
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Laurence Coen" <lwcoen at hotmail.com>
>> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 11:56 PM
>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat
>>
>>
>>> Lou,
>>>
>>> CHT's in the 70"s are warm.  You have to read the whole post.
>>>
>>> Larry Coen
>>> N136LC
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Lou Stedman" <stedmanlou at roadrunner.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 1:44 PM
>>> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat
>>>
>>>> It was my understanding that just the oil pre-heaters do not solve the 
>>>> problem with cold starts. The oil gets warm but not the cylinders. That 
>>>> is where the wear can come from. I was told that to be effective, both 
>>>> oil heater and cylinder heaters are required.
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Laurence Coen" <lwcoen at hotmail.com>
>>>> To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 2:03 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Karl,
>>>>>
>>>>> I use a flat glue on sump heater.  It looks just like the pricey 
>>>>> aviation types but came from an automotive supply house I found on the 
>>>>> internet. I no longer can remember which one.  I think it is a 250W 
>>>>> heater.  The plug is accessed at the back of the cowl so I can plug in 
>>>>> an extension cord and I'm in business.  I put an old quilt over the 
>>>>> cowl the night before flight and when the temp is in the 20's I have 
>>>>> warm oil and the CHT's are in the 70's. I take a 100' extension cord 
>>>>> with me when I travel in cold climes and find most FBO's will let you 
>>>>> plug in for a couple of hours.  It works.
>>>>>
>>>>> Larry Coen
>>>>> N136LC
>>>>>
>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>>> From: "Karl J. Warner" <karljwarnerpa at earthlink.net>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 10:45 AM
>>>>> To: <reflector at tvbf.org>
>>>>> Subject: REFLECTOR: Engine pre-heat
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi all, I'd like some input on pre-heating.  Anyone using a system 
>>>>>> they are particularly happy with?  I'll have electric power and my V 
>>>>>> will be hangared in Maine for part of this winter.  Any input is 
>>>>>> appreciated.
>>>>>> Karl
>>>>>> Velocity SEFG
>>>>>> 500++hours of fun
>>>>>>
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> _______________________________________________
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