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Old December 20th 07, 02:22 AM posted to rec.aviation.owning
Dave[_3_]
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Default Preheating engines: Airplane engines versus auto engines

Hi Jay!

Kinda feels like the other "home" doesn't it !?



Dave



On Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:57:53 -0800 (PST), Jay Honeck
wrote:

Matt's answer is right on.


Ah, yes, the annual "Is it necessary to pre-heat?" thread. Soon to
be followed by the "Should I leave it plugged in all the time?"
discussion!

Just to get the ball rolling, we pre-heat Atlas whenever the temp is
below 40 degrees F. And, yes, we leave it plugged in all the time.
("It" being a Tanis oil pan and cylinder head heater with a quilted
nose cowl wrap to hold the heat in...)

Here's a pic of our cowl wrap, custom made by Mary from an old nylon
sleeping bag and a bunch of velcro:
http://tinyurl.com/2oj9g7

We fly at least weekly, so I don't worry about condensation. IMHO,
plugging in the heater immediately after shut-down should help to
prevent condensation from developing, since the engine never cools
back to ambient temperature before it's started and brought back up to
temperature at the next flight.