How To Start an Aircraft Engine in the Heat or Cold?
While the starting of a hot or cold automobile engine is often a straightforward process that consists of inserting a key and igniting the engine, aircraft often face more difficulty as a result of such extraneous factors. Weather is often a major cause of starting issues, and combating such problems may differ based on whether the engine is a carburated or fuel-injected type. As both engine types face issues in different temperatures, it is important to understand when such problems occur and how to combat them. In this blog, we will discuss some of the common starting issues faced by aircraft engines as a result of weather, allowing you to better understand their troubleshooting.
Carbureted Engines
For aircraft that feature a carbureted engine, one may encounter the common issue of the engine not starting when it is cranked during colder temperatures. Even after priming and cranking the engine multiple times, the cold engine may still have difficulty initiating operations. When a carbureted engine is primed, the common method is to have fuel sprayed into the intake manifold of one or more cylinders. If only one cylinder is being primed, then there may not be enough fuel to amply fire up the engine during cold weather.
Fuel atomization is another source of issues, due to the fact that the fuel-and-air mixture is not optimal for such conditions. If the engine fails to start, it may mean that the fuel-and-air mixture that is entering the cylinder is not enough to sufficiently get systems up and running. While there are no concrete fixes for such problems, the easiest solution is to simply warm up the engine. This can be done in various ways, many pilots utilizing an engine pre-heater or storing their aircraft in a heated hangar. Once the engine is sufficiently warmed up, fuel atomization should reach a point that allows for the system to start.
Fuel-Injected Engines
While carbureted engines face various issues when temperatures are low, fuel-injected engines often have problems in the heat as a result of vapor lock. Avgas is the most common fuel type for aviation, and such fuel is volatile in nature. This means that it will enter a gaseous form when heated up. If this occurs to a significant degree, the fuel pump will be unable to properly function as it is difficult to pump vapor through a tube instead of liquid.
Generally, vapor lock occurs after the engine has been running for a long time and is shut off upon landing. As the fuel injector lines are placed atop the cylinders, heat will begin to rise and enter the fuel lines. In the case of increased temperature, some of the fuel will begin vaporizing, thus leading to vapor lock. To remedy such situations, one will have to pump a large amount of fuel through the lines with a boost pump so that the vaporized fuel is forced through. While this can solve one issue, it can end up flooding the engine if one is not careful. As such, a good way to prevent vapor lock in the first place is to amply cool the engine after landing, this being done by opening the cowl or any doors that allow heat to escape.
Conclusion
With such knowledge, you can better start and protect your engine when faced with intense heat or cold. At NSN Parts Now, we are your sourcing solution for top-quality aircraft engine parts, offering reciprocating engine parts, turbine engine products, combustion chamber components, and so much more. Take the time to explore our current set of offerings at your leisure, and you may request quotes for your comparisons with ease through our RFQ service. With AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B certification and accreditation, we guarantee high quality parts for every order, all of which have been sourced from leading global manufacturers that we trust. Furthermore, we also provide expedited shipping on domestic and international orders through the use of our supply chain network, ensuring that we meet your time constraints. Initiate the purchasing process today and see why customers choose to steadily rely on NSN Parts Now for all their operational needs.
