procedure for first start

[mulwyk]

The engine was overhauled in '89, was test run 30 minutes, and hasn't run since. I installed new slicks, plugs, harness. Rebuilt carb, new fuel lines, new valve. Compression in low 70's all the way around. I drained out a couple quarts of preservative (?) oil yesterday, it was a dark brown, watery liquid that smelled a little like kerosene. I haven't added any oil yet (best type?). And I haven't put gas in the tank (car gas ok for first start?)

Looks like next week, if the weather is good, we'll roll the fuselage out of the shop and try starting it for the first time in 20 years. Any thoughts on procedure to follow?

[Larry Lyons]

Re: procedure for first start

There is a recommended way to brake them in! If you can not find it I will forward your request on to a friend and A&P/I that can give it to you. That is the reason he has his A&P, he disagreed with the A&P he was working with on a rebuild many years ago and took his paper work to the feds, they agreed with him and he decided that he knew as much as his current A&P so he went ahead and got his! Larry

[NY86]

Re: procedure for first start

Prime the oil system first. After sitting this long it almost certainly will not prime itself, at least not quickly. I wouldn't put fuel and fire to it until I saw the oil pressure gauge move in response to pulling it through by hand.

Drain any preservative oil out of the cylinders, make sure they are well oiled, drain again, and clean the plugs. Make sure the carb doesn't flood gas all over the floor. Might be worthwhile to check the mags and timing, too. [Oh, I see they're new...]

I'd use Philips 20W-50. Better startup pressure and still ok for break-in. Car gas is OK, but don't let it sit in the carb or tanks for more than a couple of weeks. And no alcohol! That stuff is just plain evil.

How far from flying are you? Ground running really isn't good for the engine in the long run.

The Continental C-series Overhaul Manual has a good break-in procedure in it.

[fearofpavement]

Re: procedure for first start

When building up oil pressure is discussed, the best way to do this is to have all the plugs removed. You can get the engine spinning pretty fast by doing a hand over hand process and will be able to get readable oil pressure. (Have someone observe the gauge) If you can't get the gauge to register, you probably don't have oil pressure and need to have it before you "dry start" the engine. Also, if you do the oil pressure thing with only half of the plugs out (one per cylinder) be careful you don't have a hot mag as even with the plug out of the cylinder, if it fires it can move the prop fast enough to hurt you. ie kill. So I recommend removing all the plugs. This hand over hand procedure does not keep you out of the prop circle so better to spend the extra time to remove the rest of the plugs and keep all your parts attached to your body. Regarding oil for break in, it has been industry practice for years to use non detergent oil but with any oil (except perhaps a synthetic) the engine will eventually break in. It will just take longer. Regarding fuel, I recommend using Avgas, not solely, just add in some to your mogas for the first 10 hours or so (maybe 25%) Hope it all works out. Oh, and have a fire extinguisher handy! If there is a way to secure the aircraft (tie down) that may also be prudent in case there is some type of unplanned high rpm situation... Keep us posted as to how it goes!

[mulwyk]

Re: procedure for first start

I can report that rotate-by-hand-and-watch-the-oil-pressure thing actually works. I was skeptical, but I removed the plugs and had the wife watch the gage this morning while I spun the prop. It took awhile, 100 or more revolutions, but finally Sharon shouted "it's up to the red line!" (10 psi). Of course then we had to change places and she turned the prop while I watched the gage...this time we got it up to almost 20 psi. What a thrill.

[mikeg]

Re: procedure for first start

I can report that rotate-by-hand-and-watch-the-oil-pressure thing actually works. I was skeptical, but I removed the plugs and had the wife watch the gage this morning while I spun the prop. It took awhile, 100 or more revolutions, but finally Sharon shouted "it's up to the red line!" (10 psi). Of course then we had to change places and she turned the prop while I watched the gage...this time we got it up to almost 20 psi. What a thrill.

All,
I have pulled the pipe plugs out of the main oil galleys at the front of the engine and inrtoduced oil under pressure (pressure tank) until you have oil run out of the oil sump. That way you can pre-oil the main, rod, and cam bearings before rotating anything. After years of engine overhaul (mostly helicopter recip engines, The straight weight detergent Aeroshell worked best for us)
Miike
NC29804
NC27451

[mulwyk]

Re: procedure for first start

After that confidence boosting pull-the-plugs-and-spin-the prop exercise yesterday, we decided to try starting it. I put one gallon of car gas in the tank, loosened the primer fitting at the engine and pumped the primer until it squirted gas (it took 4 strokes), reconnected it, and pumped three strokes into the manifold. Then with Sharon at the controls, I pulled the prop through 4 blades, switch off, throttle closed. And finally, switch on, throttle cracked, I rather timidly, slowly pulled the prop past the impulse point. Click. The engine made a little poof noise and the prop moved by itself for the first time in 20 years, one half turn, then boom! It started.

We ran it about 10 minutes, 1000 rpm, 1400 (it tries to jump the chocks), then back to idel (650, a little high). We both remarked how smooth it ran.

After shutdown we drained the gas. There were flakes of something white in the gascolator and a 4" long brown thread, maybe part of some long ago mechanics shop rag.

Next we drained the oil (yes, we used car oil), it was nearly black after only 10 minutes running. I couldn't feel any grit in it or see any mettalic flecks. I guess the black color was the remnants of the preservative oil coming out.

And a mystery. At shutdown we pulled the throttle back to idel and shut off the fuel valve. The engine kept running for almost two minutes, until I finally turned the mag switch from both to R...then it stopped. Shouldn't it have kept running on the Right mag? Bad magneto?, bad switch? Or maybe the old girl just decided that with fuel starvation and one mag off it was just done running? Strange.

[NY86]

Re: procedure for first start

The mystery may be just a coincidence. Or, you fuel shutoff valve and your right mag aren't working...

[Robert Lees]

Re: procedure for first start

This is the proper Continental break-in document.

Use straight oil for the first 50 hours (or until oil consumption stabilises).

Rob

[Len Petterson]

Re: procedure for first start

So it keept running after you shut the fuel off. It is still fuel in the carb.
And how is your idle setup?
Mine will never stop with trottle all way back, 450 - 500 rpm.
I like it what way. No fiddeling to find a good idle speed when starting.
yes she runs 2-3 min, with fuel off.
Of couse it ran smoth, it.s a Continetal!
Stoped on right mag! check the wiring to the mag, the mag, if new and it dont work send it back. Is right mag your bottom pluggs? Pluggs oil fauled?
Good flying.Len

[lfries]

Re: procedure for first start

If my mag switch is correct my right mag is for the top plugs.

[NY86]

Re: procedure for first start

If my mag switch is correct my right mag is for the top plugs.

As it should be!

[gfortin]

Re: procedure for first start

I rebuilt a O-320 in 1981. It sat awaiting the airplane till 2007. Before adding fuel to start it. I cranked it with the starter a couple of time till I had pressure. First, start was good. The Engine now has 190 hours on it and runs just great.

[mhorowit]

Re: procedure for first start

Exciting stuff!!!! - Mike