Duct tape for cold weather

[David Bloomberg]

The guy I bought my T-craft from used to cover the grill each winter with a few strips of duct tape so the engine would run warmer(?) I noticed this winter that my operating oil temp stays at about 125 degrees, versus about 175 degrees in summer. Should I care? Is duct tape a good or bad idea? Will it do anything at all? My mechanic just shrugged his shoulders when I asked.

[CraigH]

I haven't had the opportunity to fly my T'Craft yet this winter, but the tape method you refer to is quite common. I used it on my Mooney Cadet that didn't have winterization plates, and know others who have used it on Champs, Cessna 140's, etc.

Duct tape is quite strong, and I never had it come off during any of my flights. One nice thing about it - if the weather heats up it's easy to remove if cooler oil temps are desired.

[Homsie]

My first recommendation is NOT to do that. Put an oil tank blanket on first. (some guys think they are fire hazards...they are asbestos and you can wash 'em to keep the oil off)

Cover the engine block cooling hole in the cowl. I have used Aluminum Foil tape for that. It lasts the whole winter, and looks much better than the duct tape.

The smaller 4 cylinder engines are much more sensitive to heat than bigger engines. They don't have the metal mass to mellow out the temps. If you restrict the cooling airflow, you are going to create hot spots. If you decide to go ahead and restrict the airflow, I suggest starting at the propeller hub, leave the air flowing over the cylinder head un-impeded.

Typically, nose-cowl restrictors are used to reduce the airflow through oil coolers...not over the cylinders.

[ROllerton]

Cover the oil tank (the kidney) under the engine first. Wagaero and probably others sell one thats is alleged to be made of fireproof material. Cheaper to make your own if you are handy if you can find the right material.

If that does not get you where you want to be then close down the cold air intake, but do it in small steps.

I have no idea what the Feds in the States think about this. Probaly more forgiving in Ak then in the other 49.

[Dick Smith]

Winterization

If you go to a welding shop, you can usually find some material called welding blanket or fire blanket...that is used to protect the area around where a weldor is using an arc welder or acetylene torch...it will blacken with direct flame and char after a fashion, but it can take a lot of heat. You can fasten several wraps around the oil tank and secure it with S.S. wire. Some guys have used insulated hardhat liners...get the large size! When it's really cold, I try to make gentle reductions in power and minimize power-off gliding..cooling occurs rapidly and brisk addition of throttle can cause the engine to "gag". On skis, without the normal availability of braking, you can glide down for a landing on ice, decide to go around, punch it and suddenly find the engine "gagging" on you...no braking, no power, no stopping and the far bank rapidly approaching. You want to find out how your engine works in the cold out on a big frozen lake with lots of room. For what it's worth.

[Forrest Barber]

winterization

Here in Ohio I block off part of the air into the cylinders with a winter front (fabricated) with holes all around the "eyes" so about 1/3 to 1/2 is blocked off. The "mouth" is completley covered. A kidney blanket & intake tube covers are real ggod too, I am too cheap to buy or fabricate. The Lycoming ships are about the same , some had oil coolers and you block them off for winter... will take a pic if I put the skis on later, how about you far north guys what do you do??