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 Post subject: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 21 Dec 2021, 23:56 
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Joined: 11/21/18
Posts: 18
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Aircraft: A320
Greetings,
I have a Texas Skyways O-520 that fires up every time, after 3-4 blades pass the windscreen, either when pre-heated, or in the summertime. When the engine is warm, I use two shots of primer, and crack the throttle about 1/3rd to 1/2”….fires up every time.
When the engine is cold, my success is mixed. Sometimes, 1 shot of primer does the trick, and sometimes I end up with extended cranking.
Looking for suggestions. I live in the deep south (Atlanta), so our “cold days” are mostly mild days.
Thanks in advance.


Last edited on 22 Dec 2021, 03:06, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 21 Dec 2021, 23:59 
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Joined: 02/14/11
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Company: Air Mass Aviation
Location: Seneca, SC (CEU)
Aircraft: 1979 Bonanza A36
Typically cold day should require more prime. Try priming to max fuel pressure indication. Perhaps 4-5 seconds. Should light right off.

_________________
Remember, no matter where you go....there you are.

Scott Massios CFI/CFII


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 22 Dec 2021, 06:36 
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Joined: 05/11/10
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Location: Indiana
Aircraft: Cessna 185, RV-7
He’s carbureted, but the idea is right. More prime when it’s cold. I assume it’s because the fuel doesn’t vaporize as much, as well as colder, denser air having more oxygen.


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 22 Dec 2021, 10:12 
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Joined: 03/24/08
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Aircraft: Cessna 182M
O-470R, so a kissing cousin of the Tx Skyways motor.

Normal weather 2 pumps on the primer.
Cold weather (anything below 45) 3, usually 4.

Primer strokes do need to be paused at the top of the pull to allow the primer to fill with fuel before pushing into motor. I listen for the fill, it is audible.

RAS


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 22 Dec 2021, 11:00 
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Joined: 12/10/07
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Location: Minneapolis, MN (KFCM)
Aircraft: 1970 Baron B55
Username Protected wrote:
O-470R, so a kissing cousin of the Tx Skyways motor.

Normal weather 2 pumps on the primer.
Cold weather (anything below 45) 3, usually 4.

Primer strokes do need to be paused at the top of the pull to allow the primer to fill with fuel before pushing into motor. I listen for the fill, it is audible.

RAS

Two other "tricks" that may help. One is that pushing the primer pump harder usually atomizes more of the fuel and that is far more likely to ignite. Combining that with priming while cranking minimized the amount of atomized fuel that clings to the manifold.

The other option is to prime a minute or two before cranking which allows more fuel to evaporate in the manifold. The reason you need more priming when the engine is cold is that most of the fuel you pump into the engine just sits in a puddle inside the manifold. Only atomized fuel or fuel vapor will ignite in the cylinders so when you pump in extra fuel there's more to evaporate but that can take a while if everything is cold.

_________________
-lance

It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 22 Dec 2021, 15:37 
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Joined: 08/10/15
Posts: 530
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Aircraft: PA-18 & 206
Username Protected wrote:
Greetings,
I have a Texas Skyways O-520 that fires up every time, after 3-4 blades pass the windscreen, either when pre-heated, or in the summertime. When the engine is warm, I use two shots of primer, and crack the throttle about 1/3rd to 1/2”….fires up every time.
When the engine is cold, my success is mixed. Sometimes, 1 shot of primer does the trick, and sometimes I end up with extended cranking.
Looking for suggestions. I live in the deep south (Atlanta), so our “cold days” are mostly mild days.
Thanks in advance.



Chuck,

You didn't say how cold you were trying to start it....

You can shoot a couple of shots of prime and then pull the prop through 10 blades or so. One more full shot of prime. Load the primer and slowly feed it in as soon as the engine starts.

Tim


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 22 Dec 2021, 18:27 
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Joined: 11/21/18
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Aircraft: A320
Thanks for the comments. I attempted a combination of some of these tips. Got to the hangar this AM, added 2 and a half shots of prime, loaded the baggage, did my preflight, pulled A/C out of the hangar. The fuel had probably 25 minutes to vaporize before I initiated the start sequence. Fired after 5-6 blades. Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated. Oh, our overnight low last night was around 35°F. Not terribly cold, but a cold soaked engine nonetheless.


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 24 Dec 2021, 14:25 
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Joined: 03/28/17
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Location: N. California
Aircraft: C-182
Username Protected wrote:
Thanks for the comments. I attempted a combination of some of these tips. Got to the hangar this AM, added 2 and a half shots of prime, loaded the baggage, did my preflight, pulled A/C out of the hangar. The fuel had probably 25 minutes to vaporize before I initiated the start sequence. Fired after 5-6 blades. Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated. Oh, our overnight low last night was around 35°F. Not terribly cold, but a cold soaked engine nonetheless.


Chuck,

I have the same engine, O-520-FTS, and after installing all fine wire plugs, starting has been quicker. I seldom need more than 1 1/2 strokes of a "charged" primer (first stroke is usually air), and then if it cranks more than usual I give it a shot with the throttle while cranking. Using the throttle as a primer before cranking could result in a carburetor fire if the engine back fires. Be sure your ignition system is in good shape.

You won't regret the cost of the fine wire plugs with their smoothness and longevity, but they are only part of the ignition system that has to be up to snuff.


Another "trick" I use because I have a split master switch is leave the alternator field off for cranking so all the battery power goes to the starter for best cranking. It's hard to forget to turn on the alternator field because of the red over voltage light will be on until the alternator is put on line.


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 25 Dec 2021, 12:08 
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Joined: 03/29/21
Posts: 100
Post Likes: +37
Aircraft: C33
Username Protected wrote:
Greetings,
I have a Texas Skyways O-520 that fires up every time, after 3-4 blades pass the windscreen, either when pre-heated, or in the summertime. When the engine is warm, I use two shots of primer, and crack the throttle about 1/3rd to 1/2”….fires up every time.
When the engine is cold, my success is mixed. Sometimes, 1 shot of primer does the trick, and sometimes I end up with extended cranking.
Looking for suggestions. I live in the deep south (Atlanta), so our “cold days” are mostly mild days.
Thanks in advance.


This is the first year I’ve owned my F33a with io550. Since it has been cold it’s starts easier liters started instantly like a car since it’s been cold. I had the opposite experience in my archer.


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 25 Dec 2021, 13:01 
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Joined: 01/29/09
Posts: 4693
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Company: retired corporate mostly
Location: Chico,California KCIC/CL56
Aircraft: 1956 Champion 7EC
Quote:
He’s carbureted, but the idea is right. More prime when it’s cold. I assume it’s because the fuel doesn’t vaporize as much, as well as colder, denser air having more oxygen.

I think it tends to condense on the intake tubes also...

This thread reminds me of the statement....

" If I can start it, I can fly it!"

_________________
Jeff

soloed in a land of Superhomers/1959 Cessna 150, retired with Proline 21/ CJ4.


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 Post subject: Re: Cold start procedure Continental O-520
PostPosted: 25 Apr 2022, 23:43 
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Joined: 11/21/18
Posts: 18
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Aircraft: A320
Thanks for all the great advice on this starting issue. Come to find out, my problem was worn out (bottom) plugs. Paul Trexel was spot-on with his advise....the ignition system. At the annual (a couple of months ago) I related the issues I was having, and the mechanic found the bad plugs. Thanks everyone!
chuck buchanan


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