Hard time starting

Jmcmanna

My Arrow fires right up when it’s cold, but I had a heck of a time getting it going after lunch today. Aside from the embarrassment from everyone watching me struggle, I worry about my starter and battery.

What are your guys’ tricks to a “warm start”?

Austin

That Lyc. IO-360 is kind if finicky when it is hot. After a turns of the prop and it doesn't start I just prime it like a cold start and run the throttle to full and treat it like a flooded start. Always works for me.
Austin

Jmcmanna

Austin, the internet at large tends to agree with you! I'll give that a try next time. It starts fine when it's cold, and it starts when it's hot without issue. It's when it's in that window of about 30 minutes post-shutdown that it is the toughest to get going.

Scott Sherer

Vapor lock, Jim. When you land, open the oil cooler door and let the heat out if you're not going to be there very long.

arrow76r

I have never had hot start issues with my IO-360 even here in Colorado at very high density altitudes (gas vaporizes easier than at low altitudes). I also don't bother opening the oil access door. The engine always starts within a few blades by leaving the mixture at cut-off, throttle cracked and fuel boost pump on while cranking. As soon as it starts mixture to lean position and fuel pump goes off. This is over 17 years of "experience" I acknowledge that this method is not "the book" method but it works every time.

Harley Kleemann

Jim, that is the exact hot-start procedure I use!

Scott Sherer

You two should write a treatise on starting finicky engines, lol. You're obviously both pro's.

arrow76r

Necessity is the mother of invention!!!