What Is An Aircraft Engine Preheater?

The engine of an airplane is a powerful and sophisticated machine. Though airplanes are built to travel in any circumstance and through the worst weather conditions, they demand proper maintenance and care. A cold start is one of the most dangerous situations in an aircraft engine's life. It can cause more wear than 500 hours of flight for any piston aircraft powerplant. The situation is so delicate that one cold start could potentially cause major failures and hazards just after takeoff.

It is crucial to be aware of the importance of keeping your engine running smooth and free from damage. This article has everything you need to know before flying in cold weather conditions for the survival of your plane, including the importance of preheating and how successful maintenance of power plants is executed in cold climates.

How Cold Is Too Cold for Aircraft Engines?

Many people are uncertain about whether or not they should preheat their engine before starting it. The reason for this is not knowing how cold it has to be before preheating is necessary. The answer is not always clear and will depend on numerous factors, including the type of engine, how old/new your engine is, what kind of cylinders your engine has (steel vs chrome), and the type of oil you are using in your engine. You might be surprised to hear that factory new engines are considerably more vulnerable to cold start damage than an engine that has been running for a while and near TBO.

Remember, if your engine is cold-soaked to a temperature below freezing (32°F or 0°C) and you try starting the engine, it is considered a cold start. If the temperature falls below 20°F (-7°C) and you attempt to start your engine, it can lead to intensive damage to the powerplant. The cold temperature can make your engine worse as it will suffer when attempting a cold start.

Is Having Adequate Oil Pressure Enough to Avoid a Cold Start?

Many pilots think that cold, highly viscous oil takes more time to flow into the engine, resulting in excess wear due to insufficient lubrication in the early moments after the start. However, modern-day aviation technology has made it possible for everyone who flies in cold weather to use multi-viscosity oil and keep their engine running smoothly at 0°F (-18°C) or less. Despite this, is having adequate oil pressure enough to avoid a cold start? Not necessarily!

Since engines comprise different metals and elements, they expand and shrink at different rates during hot and cold conditions. The difference in the amounts of expansion and contraction can lead to problems with the engine. If there is not enough clearance and even if the oil pressure gauge reads high, you will still be without an appropriate amount of lubrication for engine functionality. Starting an engine in this condition can cause wear and damage to the crankshaft within the first minute of engine operation.

Products Used for Aircraft Engine Preheating

The preheated engine will ensure your airplane is operating with high performance. This process can only occur when you put the plane into a heated hangar for an overnight period. Since this will bring every part of the airplane to an even temperature, you can use any of the following products to preheat your aircraft.

Multipoint Electric Heaters

The best preheating method is to use a multipoint electric heating system with individual elements attached to the oil pan, crankcase, and each cylinder. By plugging this system in to receive 115V or 230V power for several hours before departure (even better if overnight), you can be assured of warm cylinders and a case with hot engine oil while starting up.

Single Point Engine Heater With an Insulated Engine Cover

Hanging your airplane and using an insulated engine cover will provide adequate preheating, if given enough time. A simple oil pan heater is sufficient for the job, and a couple of 100-watt light bulbs under the cowl will work. Ensure that the engine is covered entirely and that there is no heat loss.

Forced Hot Air

The forced-air preheating system can work well as long as the machine has enough BTU output for this type of job and it is left hooked up to an airplane. This will ensure that the heat will flow properly.

Conclusion

Other heating products include turbine preheat systems, rotor-wing preheat devices, and piston preheat systems. ASAP Supply Chain is a comprehensive marketplace for new and obsolete aircraft parts. Whether you need a simple fastener or a sophisticated mounted weapon system for the defense sector, we can fulfill your needs with ease.