How Cold?

[jim cooper]

Before you heat the engine? 32 degrees? 65 hp, no electric. Have gotten several different views including one from EXCELLENT machinist, mechanic who props his cub 65 hp down to 25 degrees without heating it. Also....how long do you let it sit without starting it and warming it up? A month? Two? etc.? Thanks, JC

[Fred]

Re: How Cold?

Even if I could get it started, how would one keep warm during thee flight? Fred in Massachusetts

[bashibazouk]

Re: How Cold?

Last winter I went out to the airport after the one real snow we had in Eastern North Carolina. I meant to just take a look at the airplane, but it was such a nice, clear, calm, COLD day I figured I'd just see if I could start it.

It took almost half an hour of propping at 20 degrees, but eventually I got her started. I was plenty warm by the time she was idling happily. The cabin heat is pretty minimal, the gaps are plentiful, but it's not as bad as an open cockpit. Flying around with all that snow lying about was well worth the effort. Gloves, hat, and a good jacket work fine.

Maybe you need a "slanket" or two?

Josh

PS. Oh yes, I neglected to mention I'd been flying it once a week or more. No preheat.

[jmvolpp]

Re: How Cold?

I preheat below 40 degrees, in consideration of its and my age, which are the same (63+), not to mention it generally starts like summertime. I strive to aviate about every week, if only for a brief look-see locally. Aerotherapy, you know.

Mike V.

[magman]

Re: How Cold?

I think a lot depends on type of oil & wear on the engine.
In any case if oil does NOT drip from the dipstick you are lucky if it DOESN'T start.
The pistons/cylinders are lubricated by " Splash & Spray" ; which is oil
flying off the crankshaft.
The Valve Train requires oil to pass through the pushrod before dripping
on the valves & guides.
Electric heaters are cheap ; engine o/h =$$$$$$$$
Your call.

Ron BUFFALO NY

[NY86]

Re: How Cold?

A good rule of thumb is to preheat whenever the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit is lower than the SAE "W" rating for the oil. If you've got 20W50 oil, that's 20*F. If you've got 100W then it's 50*F. Of course, this does not consider ease of starting, just adequate lubrication.

[NY86]

Re: How Cold?

...how would one keep warm during thee flight?

Didst thou not mean thy flight?

[Jim Hartley]

Re: How Cold?

32 degrees is the number for me for preheat. Going in to the dry winter season I change the oil and run it a few minutes and shut it down for three months. We Do the annual,put in fresh oil and good to go for the ski season. Summer time is different... lots of moisture and I try to fly at least once a week to burn it off. I change oil often as it is cheap compared to an overhaul.

Jim

Before you heat the engine? 32 degrees? 65 hp, no electric. Have gotten several different views including one from EXCELLENT machinist, mechanic who props his cub 65 hp down to 25 degrees without heating it. Also....how long do you let it sit without starting it and warming it up? A month? Two? etc.? Thanks, JC

[perryv1]

Re: How Cold?

This may seem blight,but I Very Raerly peheheat.Even when I have its been minimal at best. Most of the time, I dont have anything available to do it with. Pull it through,A Lotttt,
2 shotts of prime,pull 2 cylinders,2more shotts,pull 2 more cylinders, 2shotts,flip the switch to both,and let er rip. stand by with the primer and wait for the epending stall,give er some more fuel and let the idle stableize till the oil temp gauge moves, (sometimes it takes a while).
I know, its not suppose to be done,but it works every time.
PV

[t-crafter]

Re: How Cold?

judjing by the way your airplane performs Perry, you havent hurt it at all !!. I will be happy if I get mine to run any way near that well when I get flying again.

[bashibazouk]

Re: How Cold?

I'd like to amend my previous statement. My airplane doesn't have a primer (yet). It was 25 deg F this morning when I pulled her out of the hangar. It took three pulls to get her to fire, but as usual she ran for a few seconds and quit. Next time she ran a little more, etc. Short story-- I gave up counting at 325 pulls. Heck, at that point I was warm and there was no question that the engine was well lubed.

Stupid? Maybe. But if you really want to go flying, you have to have a little determination. Who needs a stupid gymn membership anyway?!

[fearofpavement]

Re: How Cold?

Back in the old days (like the 1970's) our school's policy was to preheat whenever the temp was colder than 20 F. Any colder than that and it is unlikely you could get the engine started w/avgas. I am not sure that is what was best for the engine but it seems they used to run to TBO. And yes it was cold to fly a T-craft in those Michigan winters. That was the one good thing about the heel brakes in that one could wear Mickey Mouse boots aka Korean boots in those days. In a toe brake plane that doesn't work... A couple weeks ago I was flying with a guy in our BC12D in Georgia and since it was in the low 30's outside we were pretty frozen by the end of the 90 minute flight. We were commenting on the air mail pilots of old and how they must have been continuously frostbitten flying those open cockpit airplanes on the cold snowy nights... for me the "good ole days" doesn't extend to open cockpit planes and long winter flights. Maybe I'm a wimp? (but I'm warm)