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Preheating in sub-freezing temps

B

bowbender13

Member
I have a continental o-470 that REFUSES to start in the cold. It's ruined multiple hunts because we show up at the ramp, crank and crank and nothing. I have the sticky block pad heaters that I plug in at night but by the time I get to the ramp, it's cold again. Does anyone have any tips on how to preheat the boat at the ramp? Storing inside overnight isn't really an option. (It is but it adds an extra hour to my morning from where I would have to store it). Curious to see what you guys do yo start it in the cold. It's not mechanical, it's 100% temp related. Yesterday it was 50 and I fired it up first try and it ran flawlessly. Thanks!
 
You try ether (starting fluid) just to get it to pop off?

I’m not a AC guy but it helps on difficult starts with all our engines.
 
Yes but do not use much.

Try a short spray when cranking it over. Right into carb just know it does not require very much.

It is a very dry product so use very sparingly. Usually once the engine pops off and runs your good for the day.

Again do not use very much and let us know if that helped it start on those freezing days.
 
There is a gentleman here at the club that hunts on his boat in freezing temps up north. His O-520 is fuel injected and says it is the way to go. He had a carb before and had carb icing and difficult starts.
 
when it’s cold the fuel is harder to ignite, your mags may need a tune up. Before you do anything else put in a new set of plugs, at least on the starting mag (the one with retard impulse). She might fire right up. If need the ether should get her going.

Consider an electronic ignition upgrade for a hotter spark at start up.
 
Well if the heating pads work, get an inverter to plug them into and hook to boat battery(s), run a charging cable to boat from tow vehicle if the draw is too much from base to ramp.
Might consider a blanket of sorts to shield the cylinder heads from the wind while towing boat to ramp as they are getting "supercooled" enroute, not knowing how long you shut down during the hunt, the inverter will warm it up enough to fire it up at "camp"
 
Great idea John !

Heating pads, blanket and cover with a canvass tarp. The tarps have eyelets and you can wrap it up tight and bungle cord the package for travel.
 
glades cat said:
There is a gentleman here at the club that hunts on his boat in freezing temps up north. His O-520 is fuel injected and says it is the way to go. He had a carb before and had carb icing and difficult starts.
Click to expand...
Is it possible to switch from a carb to fuel injection or is that something that comes factory made? Is it expensive to swap? Thanks!
 
John Fenner said:
Well if the heating pads work, get an inverter to plug them into and hook to boat battery(s), run a charging cable to boat from tow vehicle if the draw is too much from base to ramp.
Might consider a blanket of sorts to shield the cylinder heads from the wind while towing boat to ramp as they are getting "supercooled" enroute, not knowing how long you shut down during the hunt, the inverter will warm it up enough to fire it up at "camp"
Click to expand...
Thanks John, I plugged in my block heaters last night and covered with tarps and blankets. Ran a buddy heater at the ramp for a few minutes. She was still pretty rough starting but we got it going after about 10 tries. It kept surging at 2000 rpms like it was starving for fuel. I had to feather the gas the whole trip to keep it alive. Do you think that's related to cold fuel? Plugs are automotive and new as of 2 weeks ago. I just hate sitting on the edge of my seat all the time wondering when it's going to die or strand me and it's making it not as enjoyable....
 
Ok, I've instructed another person on here years ago, take a piece of tubing, weld, clamp, to a header, all 3 down tubes, run a hose to the air box from that, "carb heat" might have to get creative so prop doesn't suck air out, and a type of valve to shut it of when not needed.
 
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