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Starting it up for the first time ...

bkervaski

Hellloooooooo!
Testing
Okay, no more excuses, it's put up or shut up time ...

Any advice/notes/warnings on first time engine startup?

Factory fresh IO-390, RV-14A.
 
Pull all the bottom spark plugs, and crank until you see oil pressure. Have the mixture in ICO.

The plugs out will allow any preservative gunk to blow out the cylinder, and the lack of compression will allow the battery and starter to work a lot easier.

Once you have oil pressure, put the plugs back in and start her up.
 
AND check fuel flow rate and check fuel system for leaks with boost pump on and mixture at cutoff.
 
Use a robust strap to tie off the airplane to a car/truck in case the engine over revs.

Have someone standy by on each side of the airplane with a fire extinguisher. Pre-brief what signal they will give for you to shut down the engine.

Spinner on (to prevent centrifugal force from bending out the behind the prop inserts).

First run just for a few minutes, then shutdown and inspect. Following runs long enough to make sure cylinder temps and such make sense. Resist the temptation to do much more that this before first flight.

Carl
 
And do not do this "first run" until you are sure you are within a couple of weeks at most of the first flight. I say couple of days. It ran at the factory so it will run again. Not much need to run it for the heck of it.

Having done a few, quite a few, it is simple, as described above. But the first run needs only be long enough to verify you have no oil and fuel leaks. Then button up the cowl, and do her first flight. Then come back and check again.
 
Some choose to prime with boost pump. It was considered standard start up operation for injection. I did this for years. After reports of more than one induction fire, I now start cranking then hit the boost pump. It fires off a few blades later than before but also doesn’t sputter and choke from being slightly flooded and reduces the risk of a fire in the air box.
Good luck. Exciting time!
 
And do not do this "first run" until you are sure you are within a couple of weeks at most of the first flight.

All that's left ... stab tip fairings and safety the prop, that's it. It kind of snuck up on me, guess I need to call Vic and get an inspection done.
 
Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1241C

I'll second this. Lycoming has started more than a few new engines.

You may want to have an IA go over the install before you start it just to make sure you didn't miss anything. Yes, you'll have a DAR go over before the first flight, but more eyes can't hurt.

DEM
 
Checklist I initially received from Dan C a long time ago, modified for my setup.

HTML:
* Steps Before First Engine Start:

Weight and Balance computed
Prop Blade Tracking
       Make entry into builders log
Remove Upper and Lower Cowls
Remove Prop Spinner
Spark Plugs
        Remove and Gap
	Use Copper Crush Washers
	Use Anti Seize on plug threads
        Torque to Specs
        Attach Spark Plug Wires
Install Oil Filter and torque to proper value
	Safety Wire Oil Filter
Add appropriate amount and type of Oil to engine (mineral oil 7-8 qts)
Fuel Gauge Calibration
Fuel system Pressure Test
        Fill Both Fuel tanks
	Battery Master ? On
	EIS ? On
	Fuel Selector ? Right 
		Boost Pump ? On 
			Verify and Note Stable Fuel Pressure
		Boost Pump ? Off 
		Check each fitting for fuel by sight and smell
	Fuel Selector ? Left 
		Boost Pump ? On 
			Verify and Note Stable Fuel Pressure
		Boost Pump ? Off 
		Check each fitting for fuel by sight and smell
	Battery Master ? Off
        EIS ? Off
Fuel Flow Test
	Make sure fuel system is not still pressurized from prior test
	Disconnect fuel supply hose at FI servo
	Make hose connection via a union to some 3/8? tubing
		Tubing should empty to a measured vessel of say 5 Gallons
        Tie tail to the ground simulating climb attitude
	Begin Timing (3 minutes)
		Boost Pump ? On 
		Wait 3 minutes
		Boost Pump ? Off 
	End Timing
	Calculate GPH
                Note in logbook
Unusable fuel amount Check
	Return aircraft to level attitude
	Pump remaining fuel from both tanks via Boost Pump into measured containers
		Periodically shake wing to loosen debris
	Note difference between quantity pumped into tank and fuel pumped out, That is the unusable fuel 
        Reconnect Fuel Supply Hose at FI servo.
Fuel Filter/Fuel Tank Contaminant Check
	Drain remaining unusable fuel from tanks via fuel drains ? remove drains if necessary
	Remove Fuel filter, remove filter element and clean
	Re-install Fuel element and filter back into airplane.
	Replace Fuel Drains if Removed
Oil System Air Purge
	Remove bottom 4 spark plugs
	Disconnect oil hose from oil pressure transducer
	Connect via a union a piece of 3/8? tubing to direct oil flow
	Battery Master ? On
	Left Ignition ? Off
	Right Ignition ? Off
	Throttle ? Closed
	Mixture ? Cutoff
	Starter ? On
		Crank Engine until oil is seen coming out of tubing
		20 second cranks
		2 minute intervals
	Re-connect oil hose to oil pressure transducer
	Replace and torque bottom plugs, use new copper washers
	Clean up oil mess

* Engine Start Procedure:
Insurance - call and verify you have the correct insurance for engine start
Have at least one other person to help
	Provide with Hand Held radio ? Frequency: 123.45 for handheld and aircraft
	Verify handheld operation 
	Provide Fire Extinguisher to helper
	Notepad and Pen for Helper to note read back values of Oil pressure and Fuel Pressure
Have Fire Extinguisher in cockpit.
Communication
	?Shutdown Now? ? self explanatory
	?Looks Good? ? self explanatory
Secure everything loose on the plane ? fairings, cover panels, etc.
Fuel Aircraft to half capacity
Secure aircraft to vehicle, building or something immovable
Chock wheels
Brakes - On
Engine Start
	Throttle ? Closed
	Mixture ? Cutoff
	Fuel Selector ? Left 
	Boost Pump ? On
		Confirm and Note Stable Fuel Pressure
	Mixture ? Rich 
		5 seconds
	Mixture ? Cutoff
	Boost Pump ? Off
	Throttle ? Cracked Open
	Battery Master ? On
	EIS ? On
	EFIS ? On
		Wait till unit stabilized
		Page to Engine Page
	Comm 1 ? 123.45
		Verify Communications with Helper
	Left Ignition ? On
	Right Ignition ? On
	E-Bus Alternate Feed - Off
	Starter ? Engage
		When engine fires
			Mixture ? Rich
	Throttle 1000 ? 1100 RPM
	Monitor Oil Pressure (60 to 110 PSI )
		Note Actual Oil Pressure ? Read to Helper
	Cylinder Temps
		EGT ? climbing
		CHT ? slowly climbing
		Verify for all four cylinders
		One to Two minutes for all to Stabilize and continue rising
	Oil Temperature
		Climbing to 90F
	Note System Voltage and system Amps
Throttle
	1300 RPM ? 5 Seconds
		Note Oil Pressure
	1400 RPM ? 5 Seconds
		Note Oil Pressure
	1500 RPM ? 5 Seconds
		Note Oil Pressure
	1600 RPM ? 5 Seconds
		Note Oil Pressure
	1700 RPM ? 20 Seconds
Prop
	Cycle ?pull prop control back (3-5 Seconds Max)
		Watch for RPM drop
		Manifold Pressure Rise
		Oil pressure Drop
	Push Prop Control back in when above conditions happen
	Prop may not cycle until 2nd or 3rd attempt.
	If Unsuccessful, try to cycle Prop at 1800 RPM
Magneto Check
	Left Ignition - Off
		Verify and Note RPM Drop
	Left Ignition ? On
	Wait 20 Seconds
	Right Ignition ? Off
		Verify and Note RPM Drop
	Right Ignition - On
	Wait 20 Seconds
Throttle Back to Idle
	Note Idle RPM
Mixture - Lean
	Slowly pull mixture and note RPM increase when leaning
	Do this to confirm Idle Mixture adjustment
Master Switch ? Off  
        engine should not quit
Mixture ? Cutoff
Throttle ? Closed
Left Ignition ? Off
Right Ignition ? Off
Master - Off
Fuel Selector ? Off


Look over engine and prop hub carefully, Checking for Leaks or problems
Have a beer, or two.
 
I like that, Walter. Not too long (I hope) until my engine start. How do I print your message?:confused:
 
This is awesome, thank walter for the list (and everyone else) for their responses.

Fuel flow test today, 48gph both sides, plane attitude nose up with rear tie down touching the ground (and a few blocks under the nose wheel to relieve the pressure).
 
First Engine Start

Thanks for this thread. I'm close to first engine start also. A couple more detailed questions. Are there and limits or RPM, CHTs, EGTs, Prop? For example are engine test all done at idle only? CHTs<300? and don't pull the prop, or can you pull the prop?

Oh, and to print that write up select it all by sliding the mouse down and paste it into MS Word, then print.
 
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