I've been reading the POH (finally) that came with my Cherokee and was surprised by a couple things I learned about the recommended startup steps. These are quite old, of course, so modern procedures might have trumped these for one reason or another but here is what I wrote up as a learning guide based my PA-28-140 POH.
There was mention in another thread about starting on only the left mag, which triggered this review.
Steps 7 and 9 are the ones I was apparently doing wrong. It is rarely below 40 F where I live near Savannah, GA.
1. Brakes locked
2. Carburetor control to full COLD
3. Select desired tank with the fuel valve
4. Mixture control to full RICH
5. Open throttle 1/8 to ¼ inch
6. Electric fuel pump ON
7. Prime Engine
a. If above 40 degrees, prime engine with 3 to 4 short quick strokes of the throttle
b. If below 40 degrees F, prime engine with 1 to 3 full strokes of the primer
8. Master switch ON
9. Engine Start
a. Push start button
b. After one full revolution, turn ignition switch to LEFT magneto
c. Once firing evenly, turn ignition switch to BOTH
10. Check for oil pressure (stop engine if no pressure in 30 seconds)
Failed Engine start:
Repeat steps above without priming. See POH for more detailed instructions.
There was mention in another thread about starting on only the left mag, which triggered this review.
Steps 7 and 9 are the ones I was apparently doing wrong. It is rarely below 40 F where I live near Savannah, GA.
1. Brakes locked
2. Carburetor control to full COLD
3. Select desired tank with the fuel valve
4. Mixture control to full RICH
5. Open throttle 1/8 to ¼ inch
6. Electric fuel pump ON
7. Prime Engine
a. If above 40 degrees, prime engine with 3 to 4 short quick strokes of the throttle
b. If below 40 degrees F, prime engine with 1 to 3 full strokes of the primer
8. Master switch ON
9. Engine Start
a. Push start button
b. After one full revolution, turn ignition switch to LEFT magneto
c. Once firing evenly, turn ignition switch to BOTH
10. Check for oil pressure (stop engine if no pressure in 30 seconds)
Failed Engine start:
Repeat steps above without priming. See POH for more detailed instructions.
