Cold Weather Operations

[Frank DeBartolo]

I am thinking about installing a heater on the oil sump. Does anyone have one on their airplane and do they work OK. I am also thinking about using multi-grade oil because of the variance in temps in late fall and winter. Some days can be ok and some can be cold. I do not plan on flying if the OAT is under 30F at the surface. How about baffles and cold air restriction to the front cowl?

F.D.
N43684

[Dano"T"]

Re: Cold Weather Operations

It's always a good idea to heat up the oil when operating in cold weather. A tank heater would work fine and I think it would save a lot of monkeying around with pre-heating...I do a lot of ski flying and when my plane is parked at my cabin on the lake in the winter I always pre heat the oil and it's kind of a pain. Where is the best place to find an oil heater? and how much do they cost??? With the cost of overhauls these days we gotta do all we can to keep things well lubricated. I always put an aluminum plate on the front of my cowling as shown in the attached picture and I use straight 30 W aeroshell in the winter. I dont have any baffles...but I do have a oil sump cover that snaps over the sump like a jacket...I've only used it twice when it was really cold and I think it helps keep the oil up to temp.

[Rich. Anderson]

Re: Cold Weather Operations

In Idaho I use the mulit grade oil nowadays. So far no problems with it. Rich Anderson

[bobp]

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Dan, How do You attach the metal plate ? bobp

[AlvinMcIver]

Re: Cold Weather Operations

A change of oil at the beginning of the cold season; preheat with an E-Z heat, Inc. Model 270 oil sump pad heater and an external electric heater blower for the engine compartment as a whole; and the air intake baffle per SB M64-6 (a copy of which I was sent by the nice people at Continental)which was the subject of an article in the TOC newsletter #121 reprint of the Construction & Maintenance colume in Cub Clues #114 January/February 2003. Given that I have had a number (more than 6) instances of engine idling failures on final (it would stumble with the addition of power), the last one is a must for my engine. I also replaced my headliner, after a winter of not having one, which I expect will have some effect relative to retaining heat in the cabin.

Which is a nice segue to another matter. My wife and I installed a new headliner and it is beautiful. We started with one purchased from Aircraft Spruce and, after 17 hours of fitting, cutting, sewing, fitting, sewing, fitting, fitting, sewing, cutting and etc., it looks very nice. When I inquired on this list serve some months ago for any suggestions or advice concerning the installation of a headliner, no one responded, so I assume that I am the only member who has installed one without professional assistance. You can do it with an accomplished seamstress and patience. It helped that it was a beautiful weekend so we could set up the sewing machine in the hangar with the hangar door open, 72F, sunny, and a gentle breeze blowing. If anyone is interested in knowing more, I would be happy to respond to questions.

[Dano"T"]

Re: Cold Weather Operations

Dan, How do You attach the metal plate ? bobp

Sheet metal screws right into the cowling.