Why preheat an aircraft engine? – Video

Doug Evink and Dirk Ellis explain – why preheat an aircraft engine?

Benefits of aircraft preheat include:

  • Reduce engine wear/ increase engine life
  • Ease of starting / reduce the chance of frosting spark plugs
  • Reduce the run up time during cold weather operations / save fuel
  • Prevent cylinder scoring
  • Ensure proper oil flow
  • Increase safety
  • Engine manufacturers mandate preheating

Decreased crankcase clearances

  • The engine crankcase is made of aluminum
  • Engine rotating parts are made of steel
  • Due to the coefficient of thermal expansion, the aluminum crankcase shrinks more than the steel parts within it.

When to Preheat?

  • POH/AFM for cold weather operation specific to your aircraft
  • If engine does not start during the first few attempts, or if the engine firing diminishes in strength, it is possible that the spark plugs have been frosted over.  Preheat must be used before another start is attempted.
  • Turbine aircraft, helicopters and diesel engines can have torque oscillation issues that cause a lot of wear.
  • When ambient temperatures are freezing or below (or some manufacturers suggest forty degrees)
  • Tanis actually assisted Lycoming in writing their service bulletin – particularly the section on engine mounted preheat systems.
  • Tanis is a multipoint system, with redundancy.

It is crucial to heat the complete engine, including the cylinder head (not just the bases or cylinders!)

Thermal imaging shows that heat from other areas of the engine do not effectively heat the cylinder head. The Tanis system heats everything bolted to the engine. A single point engine puts too much heat in one area, which can cause burned oil, cracks in sumps, electrical problems, and so on.

Tanis has been awarded Supplemental Type Certificates by the FAA for many of their systems.

Moisture can vaporize from the oil, we want to make sure all parts of that engine are above dew point to prevent condensation.

Tanis also makes engine covers, and covers for other appendages. This helps evenly distribute and maintain heat.

Tanis has over 40 years in the aircaft preheat business

OEM installations are done on Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond, Pilatus, Bombardier and Ciking.

Tanis has STCs for

  • 4 cylinder Lycoming and Continental engines
  • 6 cylinder Lycoming, Continental, & Franklin engines
  • Bell 429
  • AW 119

(No STC is technically required inside the United States, as this is considered a minor modification.)

Engine preheat and battery systems are available for piston, turbine and rotorcraft.

Other questions they answer in this video:

  • How long does it take to preheat?
  • How hot does the engine get using Tanis Preheat?
  • Can I leave a Tanis Preheat System plugged in all the time?
  • Does using engine preheat cause moisture that will result in corrosion?
  • Is an STC required?
  • How long does it take to install at Tanis preheat system?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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