O-235-C1B cold start procedure

[Eddie747]

Becoming more difficult starting when cold. Primed and cranked it several times the other day and it was not starting that day, 0°c but never had a problem before, I dont start if its below freezing. Tried a different prime methed yesterday and it started right away. Instead of priming and starting, I primed 2 shots than hit the starter with mags off for 1 second, than switched impulse coupled mag on and hit the starter, it started instantly. Question is, is there anything wrong with priming and cranking the engine 1 or 2 revolutions with mags off and than starting?

 

[stewartb]

Priming followed by turning the prop to distribute fuel works well. I occasionally do it to ease the battery's work load. If you have enough battery to do it your way? No harm. In general guys unfamiliar with cold weather don't prime enough. Try adding a couple of strokes of prime and you might have better starting success.

 

[55-PA18A]

Check to make sure your primer is still pumping. If you've noticed a change, maybe you need new O rings

jim

 

[OLDCROWE]

Check to make sure your primer is still pumping. If you've noticed a change, maybe you need new O rings

jim

Maybe a broken primer line...it happens!

 

[55-PA18A]

Maybe a broken primer line...it happens!

Good point. Every once in a while, I'll open the cowling and give a couple pumps of the primer to check for that.

 

[WWhunter]

The plane I had with an O-235 had to have the primers checked often. Not sure, but I think the lines were old and work hardened, they seemed to crack and break easily. Good way to have an engine fire!

 

[mvivion]

Yes, if something has CHANGED, figure out what changed, not how to adapt. First thing I’d check is primers as noted. Next (or maybe first) I’d clean the spark plugs. Lycoming run on avgas tend to foul plugs, and the first manifestation of that is often harder starting.

MTV

 

[irishfield]

Just don't spend 3 months fighting cold starts by throwing parts at it, to find out it's old 100LL with no ZING!! :roll:

 

[cubdriver2]

Just don't spend 3 months fighting cold starts by throwing parts at it, to find out it's old 100LL with no ZING!! :roll:

Yea, you might get some C4 in the mail ;-)

Glenn

 

[irishfield]

Yea, you might get some C4 in the mail ;-)

Glenn

LMAO !! Thanks again for the block of cheese Glenn!

 

[Eddie747]

Thanks guys, never thought of the possibility of bad gas, thats one easy thing to eliminate and see if things improve. also going to check the primer lines over, Thanks!

 

[nanook]

Comp check & valve adj on the O-235...

 

[skywagon8a]

Properly tuned magneto with a quick snapping impulse coupling. This is important on all engine models not just the 0-235.

 

[Steve Pierce]

On a j3 we have always primed, flipped it through 4 blades then mags on and usually starts. I think it helps distribute the fuel especially since the O-235 doesn't have an accelerator pump.

 

[Gordon Misch]

I've found that if I prime, then put on my seatbelt & shoulder harness and THEN start the engine, it generally starts within one or two blades. Gives the gas time to vaporize a little and become more combustible, I think

 

[C-FIJK]

In colder temps why just prime 2 times why not 3 or 4 ??? cold motor needs more fuel

 

[CamTom12]

I usually prime 4 pumps below 50 deg F. 3 above it when the engine’s cold. O-320, though - not sure how different they act in the cold.

 

[Wag2+2]

I have a primer on an O-360 but seldom use it. 3-4 strokes on the throttle seems to work before turning it over. Not being an engine-eer, wondering if one method better than the other for cold starts?

 

[skywagon8a]

Eddie747, I just came upon a Lycoming Service instruction #1362 which applies to the 0-235-L2C as installed in the Cessna 152 having to do with hard starting due to high cranking speed. Do you have one of the new light weight starters which turns the engine faster? This could contribute to your issue. There is reference to SI #1357 which changes the lag angle of the left mag from 15* to 5*.