Hard Starting Cold Continental Engines

M.E. Borner wrote:

My un-preheated cold weather/cold engine starting technique is very
similar to my warm weather/cold engine technique

You might want to consider investing a (relatively) small amount of
money in a Tanis heating system. The cost of overhauling those two
engines, including removal, shipping, and reinstallation, would get you
a good way towards buying a house in some of the poorer states, so a
couple of thousand (including labour) for a heating system and
insulated covers would be a wise investment.

If you don't have access to electricity, is there a Herman Nelson or
similar force-air preheater somewhere on your field? If not, perhaps
there are small, portable, propane-powered forced-air heaters you could
buy and bring out with you (I haven't investigated this, since I keep
my plane at a major airport with lots of services).

When you're visiting a remote airport, you can always cover the engines
after a flight -- they should stay warm for quite a few hours under an
insulated cover.

I have to admit that I've cold-started the O-320 on my Warrior down to
-15 degC (with a *lot* of priming), but I'm not proud of it. Now, with
a newly-overhauled engine, I've moved to a spot where I can leave my
Tanis plugging in all winter to protect the investment.


Best of luck,


David