Use Tannis To Pre-Heat Before Oil Change?

Sinistar

Sinistar

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Brad
During the summer I would just start the engine and warm it up a bit and then shutdown and change the oil. Now that it is cold out I need to pre-heat the engine before starting it up. But it seems the Tannis really warms it up nice. So is there any reason to actually run the engine up before the oil change if its already been pre-heated for over 12hrs?
 
Sure why not? I usually change my oil after a flight when the engine is still warm. Oil flows out better. But if you want to use your Tanis to heat it. Good ideal
 
Do you believe your tanis heats the oil equally as the engine? I like to fly before an oil change because any settled stuff gets mixed up so it can flow out. I don't think your preheater will do as good a job. Better than nothing? Sure, if that's what you're after.
 
Stewartb said:
Do you believe your tanis heats the oil equally as the engine? I like to fly before an oil change because any settled stuff gets mixed up so it can flow out. I don't think your preheater will do as good a job. Better than nothing? Sure, if that's what you're after.
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I guess this is the meat of the question and why I asked. When I put my hand under the cowling its nice and toasty warm. But that's probably because all 6 cylinder heads also have heating elements. When pre-heated (0F outside) it turns over like its a 90 degree summer day. And the oil will immediately drip off the dipstick when preheated so the oil is warm.

I just wasn't sure if actually running the engine did more than just warm up the oil. Sounds like running it a bit could get more settled stuff back into suspension and out the drain plug.

Any other reasons to not run it, if already preheated?
 
Do you have a digital oil temp gauge? Turn the engine over to circulate oil and my own preheated engine will have 75-80* oil in that first minute of running, and I mean after the oil has been circulated through the engine a time or two. In flight I try to maintain 180* and when landing the oil and engine stay hot for several minutes. I usually pull my quick drain right away and if changing the filter? I give it plenty of time to cool off before I handle the hot filter. I've done what you're asking about. The oil isn't gelled but it won't run as thin as it will after flying it. And FWIW, ground running it won't get it as hot, either.
 
Depends on the engine...on my Maule with an O-300, just before I unplugged the Tannis was the highest oil temperature I'd see for the day by a long shot.

But as @Stewartb noted, there is stuff that has separated from the oil and might not flow out with the oil.
 
Blackstone Labs, one of the oil analysis companies, wants you to *fly* the plane before an oil change. Not a run up, not a taxi and certainly not a preheater.

A preheater is better than nothing, but flying is the best idea. Also, winter cold oil won't drain. You will literally be there for days waiting for your sump to empty.
 
I prefer to fly the airplane,even if I have pre heated the motor.
 
If you are just doing an oil change without doing a sample for analysis, you might be ok to just use your Tannis. If you are on an oil analysis program, I'd fly it.
 
I doubt it'll heat it up to 180 degrees like running it will, plus it won't stir up the stuff you really want to get out. Fly it and drain while still hot.
 
I always fly mine. I can’t imagine that 100% of the “waste” products within the oil stay in solution as it sits. I want it mixed so it goes out with the oil.
 
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