Hot Start: Fuel injected Continental

Hot starting fuel injected aircraft engines can be a challenge.

in this video I show an excellent method of hot starting fuel injected Continental engines. This procedure will NOT work for Lycoming engines!

The throttle must be closed when using the boost pump to prevent engine flooding!

The injection system on Continental engines returns fuel to the tanks. When using the procedure shown in this video cool fuel from the tank is pumped to the engine compartment and pushes all vapor from the lines and back into the tank. The flowing cool fuel will also cool the fuel lines and prevent vapor lock during startup.

Remember after shutdown the hot engine has boiled the fuel and turned to vapor in the engine compartment. As it vaporizers and expands the increased pressure causes fuel to enter the injectors. This is often why a start attempt on a hot engine results in the engine starting but quickly dying as the fuel in the cylinders is burnt and then vapor in the lines caused a fuel starvation situation.

A hot engine needs the system purged and this procedure will do it for you. A great way to build confidence is to try this when you get back from a flight ten or 15 minutes after shutdown.

Stay safe.