oil sump heaters in twin when to use?

[James Mathias]

Hi all. I am new to the forum. Just flew my twin for the first time! It is cold here in Ohio and I would like some input on when to plug in the oil heaters. How long to leave them on, put them on a timer ,any suggestions.

[N3322G]

James,

Welcome to Comanche ownership.

While we're in Texas now, we learned to fly in Illinois. As I recall Lycoming suggests heating if temps are below 32. If I have to heat today, I have small ceramic heaters on a stack of stuff in front of each engine with one side of the inlets plugged three hours or more in advance of flight. In Chicago, we would have a more frequently used and easier set up for plugging in the night before - however, that was for the old engine cowls.

I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions.

[MULEFLY]

Over the years, I've tried several different type of heaters (Tanis, Oil stick, heat pads, etc) ... the Reiff engine preheaters are now my favorite...

http://reiffpreheat.com/
Jim

[James Mathias]

Thanks for the tips, I had heard to not leave them on all the time to avoid water cooking out and causing rust on the crankshaft. Problem is I fly sporadically and the airport is 20 min away. It would be nice to be able to phone activate the heater but I can;t figure out how to do that w/o a dedicated cell phone. Anyone else have a different inexpensive idea?

[Dave Fitzgerald]

Hi Jim,
Welcome to ICS
I also live in Ohio over in Canton. I fly a twin PA39 and use two torpedo K1 heaters.
I place them under the wings just behind the cowl vents and block them up about 4 inches in the front and when I go to the airport it only takes about 20 to 30 minutes to bring both engines up about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

reddy-heater.jpg (1.97 KiB) Viewed 1015 times

This works great for me. I don't care much for attached engine heaters because of the condensation they can cause if not used properly. I keep my plane at Carroll County Airport (TSO) not to far from you. TSO has a restaurant and is a popular with GA pilots. Give me a call if you come over this way. My info is available in pathfinder.

[James Mathias]

Thanks Dave
I will have to look you up sometime when I fly east.

[N3322G]

James,

Just for fun I went looking to verify the temp under which Lyc suggests pre-heat. Actually we have better things to do but husband thought it was one number and I thought it was another ... it was nice that we were both wrong on the high side.

I didn't find it in the Operator's Manual from 1973 for O-320, IO-320, AIO-320 and LIO-320 engines but searched the internet which led me to the Lyc Key Reprints document PDF and it stated Lyc suggests pre-heat when temps are under 10 degrees F for O-320 engines so I took that to mean Twin Co engines too. Of course, they qualified that with things like - depends on the type of oil you are running etc.

A google search of 'lycoming key reprints io-320 pre-heat' will bring it up as the top hit. There is always something to learn - or re-learn. If someone hasn't already mentioned it, I think you would get great value out of the CPPP course.

Hope this helps.

[James Mathias]

Thanks Pat
I am looking forward to taking the CPPP course when I can as soon as I can arrange it. I am sure it will be amazing how much I will learn!
Jim

[N8632Y]

Pat,
hi, i noticed you wrote about "Lycoming recommends pre heating under a certain temp"?
I would think that anytime is ok, as long as you don't preheat super fast. Wouldn't it always be better to preheat if it's really cold? 35 or 15? Any warmth would help the start and be less traumatic I would think?
I'm probably missing something, but i'll find out real soon i'm sure.

I just got the Reiff preheaters, standard, and I was thinking, that if it's under 40, I could plug them in for 1/2 hr while i'm preflight, coffee, flight planning etc, and anything is better than nothing?

steve

[N3322G]

Hey Steve,

Re - some heat is better than none - as you said, if you don't do it fast - sure seems some heat would be better than none in you neck of the woods.

Lyc didn't say you couldn't heat if it was warmer - just to heat if it is under 10 degrees F. This assumes the oil is appropriate for the temp - it is one of the reasons i use 15W50 - never know when we might head north.

From my view, here in TX, we'll heat under 32 degrees F - I just feel better about it.

[N8632Y]

Pat,
I use 15/50 too, temps vary, flights go up and down coast.....
Guess I'll preheat if it's freezing,,,,
I was just wondering if there are any negatives to preheating, before flight.
steve