As I understood it, the max engine damage is done just after starting,
before the oil is flowing properly, both in a car engine and a plane
engine. I know when it's cold it takes longer for my oil pressure to
come up, inferring that the oil is thicker when cold...also suggesting
that the oil isn't flowing to the important bits so quickly.

So I'd have thought that pre-heating (if done properly) would
extend the life of the engine by some amount rather than prevent
catastrophic failure.

Paul

"Dennis O'Connor" wrote in message
...
Let me post a challenge... Who knows of an engine that was actually
damaged
and had to be overhauled because of cold starts without a preheat?