So, what to do with a Lycoming engine hot start

Many years ago an old ‘hand’ taught me a trick on hot starts on fuel injected Lycoming engines. Leave mixture in full lean - do not prime - set throttle just off idle, crank the engine and it will probably fire within a turn or two. As soon as this happens start feeding the mixture in to rich and the engine should start and run normally.

Caution, if one is too slow to enrich the mixture the engine may cut out. If one is too quick and the mixture too rich, the engine may cut out again. Be ready to adjust as you hear the engine faltering.

This method can be applied to most Lycoming engines with fuel injection includingTurbochargedengines,4,6and8cylinders.Generallyspeaking; it is better to err on the side of a leaner mixture when starting a Lycoming – even when cold.