warming engine in cold weather

[mike morrow]

i know about tanis engine heater for rotax engine is endorsed for cold weather oepration. how can you reach cylinder head temperature safe for take off  faster? obstructing air inlets for oil and radiator cooler safe to do and at what temperaturs in farenheit?

[Ben Fitzgerald-O'Connor]

Mike - put the two blanking plates over the oil and water radiators if it is cold - this helps.

 

The latest factory planes also have a thermostat on both - this makes a BIG difference - if you can retrofit this, it will probably save you 2-3 litres of fuel each time you are there....

[mike morrow]

thanks for the info. i will have my mechanic look at that.

[Steve L]

I have a Tanis system and it includes 4 bolts with electric connections that replace a bolt on each cylinder head. This is in addition to a sump bolt and oil tank patch, so the whole engine gets warmed. I flew last week with temps about 17F and the plane plugged in overnight. At startup the oil was about 55F and the water was about the same. Cly head temps were in the green within a min or so. I also have a oil thermostat and block off plate on the oil cooler but run the water radiator unrestricted. So long as I keep the power at 5000 rpm or better all the temps are in range. Startup to 120 degree oil takes about 5 mins. I could get better results if I wrapped a blanket over the cowling while preheating at temps below 15F, but then I need to wrap ME. I'm very pleased with the Tanis and the oil thermostat.

[mike morrow]

thanks for the info. my plane is a 2011 sport classic and has the oil thermastat and i recently installed the air flow plates on both inlets and had  tanis engine heater installed last october. i went out once to warm the engine on the ground and with a downwind runup reached redline temperatures really quickly with outside tempurature around 30f.

[Eric Schnellbacher]

I also had the Tanis engine preheater system installed on my 2011 Piper Sport.  I had my mechanic install it with the plug securely fastened up by the oil cap so it can easily be plugged in by opening the oil inspection hatch.  Also, it does not change your W&B.  When used with engine plugs (5) and an insulating blanket, it works flawlessly.  After preheating for several hours, once the engine plugs are removed, install the air intake shields (oil & water radiators) per your POH....when ambient air is below 32 F.  Keep in mind that the temperature at cruise will be less than on the ground...rule of thumb is anywhere between 35 F & 40 F on the ground.  Also, keep them with you at all time during the colder months, I had to install during a flight several times to keep the engine oil temp on the hotter side things...plus 170 F..that's better than running cooler.  I purchased/installed the following:

1)  Tanis, TAS100-52-DT for the Rotax 912/914 - $649.

2)  Bruce's Custom Covers, Engine Plugs - SPC-100 - $135.

3)  Bruce's Custom Covers, Insulated Engine Cover - SPC-115 - $360.

[mike morrow]

thanks for the reply. i did buy the canopy cover from bruces 425 dollars and its fits perfect and glad i did that.