Matronics Email Lists :: View topic

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Warming Cold Engine

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

kopecky(at)milwpc.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject: Warming Cold Engine

I didn't see this topic listed anywhere so I'm going to  ask for assistance.  My KFIV has been sitting in an unheated hanger for  about 2 months.  I'm doing some maintenance on it and the cold weather is  slowing the process.  Anyway, I'd like to try starting it in about 2 weeks  or so, but am concerned that the engine won't start.

  

 I was thinking of some safe and effective ways to warm  the engine so it has a reasonable chance of starting.  Here are some of the  thoughts I've had and I'd like reactions and suggestions:

  

 1.  Oil dipstick heater

  

 2.  Space heater close to engine

  

 3.  Possibly installing an engine block  heater

  

 Thanks for any advice.

  

 LeRoy Kopecky

 Frigid Wisconsin

    [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: Warming Cold Engine

Leroy, I think you have a VW, right?  I would just charge the battery up good and put in some fresh room temperature oil.  A blanket over the cowl and a light bulb under will warm the engine if your're talking minus F temp and worried about squeeking the engine.

Tom Jones

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject: Warming Cold Engine

I didn't start my engine for 26 days (I had the flu, and was building  

skis at home) in a likewise non-heated hangar. I use a Pelonis  

ceramic disc heater, under the cowl, pointed up between my exhaust  

pipes (Jabiru 2200), and pointed at the oil cooler. After about 3  

hours of heating in below zero to 10° F above weather, it starts  

without a problem. At the time of starting, the oil temp will be  

about 130-140°, and the cylinder head temps will be about the same. I  

use the heater almost every time I fly, just to bring things up to  

temp quicker.



Lynn

On Feb 9, 2007, at 7:37 PM, Leroy Kopecky wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I didn't see this topic listed anywhere so I'm going to ask for  

 assistance.  My KFIV has been sitting in an unheated hanger for  

 about 2 months.  I'm doing some maintenance on it and the cold  

 weather is slowing the process.  Anyway, I'd like to try starting  

 it in about 2 weeks or so, but am concerned that the engine won't  

 start.



 I was thinking of some safe and effective ways to warm the engine  

 so it has a reasonable chance of starting.  Here are some of the  

 thoughts I've had and I'd like reactions and suggestions:



 1.  Oil dipstick heater



 2.  Space heater close to engine



 3.  Possibly installing an engine block heater



 Thanks for any advice.



 LeRoy Kopecky

 Frigid Wisconsin

 http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List_- 

 ============================================================ _- 

 forums.matronics.com_- 

 ============================================================

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

cliffh(at)outdrs.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject: Warming Cold Engine

I put a hair dryer in the front of the cowl and  place a blanket over the cowl.

 The engine is warm enough to start after 30 minutes  to an hour depending how cold it is.

  

 Floran H.

 [quote]   ---

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Sjklerks(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject: Warming Cold Engine

Hi Leroy, I use a 1500 watt portable heater. I connected a piece of alum  dryer vent hose onto it, stick in the bottom of the cowling. also put some old  blankets around the cowling to help keep the heat in.  Start up the gen,  then 45 to 60 min later it starts with no problem's. The temp gauge reads around  120 degrees.  

  

 Jim 

  

 Do not archive

  [quote][b]

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

kopecky(at)milwpc.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:18 pm Post subject: Warming Cold Engine

Jim:

  

 This is exactly the set up I  have, but haven't used yet.  Thanks for confirming that there are two of us  who think alike.

  

 Did you or anyone ever hear  of a magnetic heater?  If so, what's the evidence say?

  

 LeRoy P. Kopecky

 [quote]   ---

- The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum