DOC AIRBUS | AMM A320FStart the Engine in Cold Weather Conditions (Outside Air Temperature (OAT) less than -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C)) [CFML]
TASK 71-00-00-860-831-A
Start the Engine in Cold Weather Conditions (Outside Air Temperature (OAT) less than -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C))
1. Reason for the Job
This procedure gives the engine starting and operating instructions during cold weather conditions outside envelope covered by engine specific instruction (SOI), below -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C) Outside Air Temperature (OAT). These instructions provide the additional technical information to add to the standard starting procedures. Ice collected in the engine intake is one of the primary risks during cold weather operation. Snow that blows into a cooling engine can become ice if it melts and freezes again.
This can cause ice accretion in the engine and lock the rotors. During engine operation, the large airflows and the suction at the engine inlet can cause ice accretion in the engine.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
B. Referenced Information
3. Job Set-up
Subtask 71-00-00-869-385-A
[Rev.10 from 2021]
2026.04.01 02:34:02 UTC
Start the Engine in Cold Weather Conditions (Outside Air Temperature (OAT) less than -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C))
1. Reason for the Job
This procedure gives the engine starting and operating instructions during cold weather conditions outside envelope covered by engine specific instruction (SOI), below -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C) Outside Air Temperature (OAT). These instructions provide the additional technical information to add to the standard starting procedures. Ice collected in the engine intake is one of the primary risks during cold weather operation. Snow that blows into a cooling engine can become ice if it melts and freezes again.
- This collected ice can lock the rotor blades to the stator case.
- This collected ice can be on the surface of the rotor blades and cause the blades to be unbalanced.
This can cause ice accretion in the engine and lock the rotors. During engine operation, the large airflows and the suction at the engine inlet can cause ice accretion in the engine.
- This is very dangerous during engine operation at high power settings and static conditions on the ground.
- The suction action decreases the air pressure and subsequently decreases the air temperature.
- The evaporative cooling and the temperature decrease from the suction. In this condition, it causes collected ice when the water droplets hit the spinner, fan blades and guide vanes.
2. Job Set-up Information
A. Fixtures, Tools, Test and Support Equipment
| REFERENCE | QTY | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|---|
| No specific | 1 | CONTAINER 3 L(3/4 USGAL) |
| No specific | 1 | GUN - HOT AIR |
| No specific | 1 | HOT AIR BLOWER |
| 98N1010H001-000 | 1 | INLET COVER |
| 98N1010H005-000 | 1 | EXHAUST COVER |
| REFERENCE | DESIGNATION |
|---|---|
| TASK 71-00-00-860-827-A | Start the Engine (Normal Automatic Start) |
| TASK 72-00-00-200-818-A | Inspection/Check After the Engine has Exceeded the Operational Limits |
| TASK 79-11-05-000-801-A | Removal of the Oil Tank |
| TASK 79-11-05-400-801-A | Installation of the Oil Tank |
| TASK 80-11-00-040-804-A | Manually Operate the Starter Air Valve |
| TASK 80-11-15-000-801-A | Removal of the Starter Air Valve (SAV) |
| TASK 80-11-15-400-801-A | Installation of the Starter Air Valve (SAV) |
Subtask 71-00-00-869-385-A
A. General Information
(1) Icing conditions occur when the Total Air Temperature (TAT) is less than 50 deg.F (10 deg.C). Look for the items that follow:
(a) Moisture (clouds, fog with the visibility of one mile or less, rain, snow, ice crystals, etc.)
(b) Remaining water, ice or snow on the ground.
Subtask 71-00-00-869-386-A (1) Icing conditions occur when the Total Air Temperature (TAT) is less than 50 deg.F (10 deg.C). Look for the items that follow:
(a) Moisture (clouds, fog with the visibility of one mile or less, rain, snow, ice crystals, etc.)
(b) Remaining water, ice or snow on the ground.
B. Precautions
(1) When the engine is not operated, Foreign Object Damage (FOD) or snow/rain ingestion for some conditions can occur.
(a) It is recommended to install 98N1010H001-000 INLET COVER and 98N1010H005-000 EXHAUST COVER.
(b) It is recommended to point the airplane into the prevailing wind, as far as possible.
(2) During heavy snowstorms, the engine must be shut down in forward thrust to prevent ice accretion on the thrust reverser.
4. Procedure(1) When the engine is not operated, Foreign Object Damage (FOD) or snow/rain ingestion for some conditions can occur.
(a) It is recommended to install 98N1010H001-000 INLET COVER and 98N1010H005-000 EXHAUST COVER.
(b) It is recommended to point the airplane into the prevailing wind, as far as possible.
(2) During heavy snowstorms, the engine must be shut down in forward thrust to prevent ice accretion on the thrust reverser.
NOTE: The limit to use Type 2 oil is a minimum oil temperature of -40 deg.F (-40 deg.C) for engine starting.
CAUTION:
TO PREVENT THERMAL SHOCK ON ENGINE PARTS, INCREASE THE AIR TEMPERATURE SLOWLY TO 158 DEG. F (70 DEG. C). IF YOU DO NOT OBEY THIS INSTRUCTION, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CAN OCCUR.
Subtask 71-00-00-880-051-A A. Preparation for Engine Operation
(1) Do a visual check of the intake cowls and the fan exhaust duct for collected ice.
(2) De-icing of the cowls and the fan exhaust.
(a) If ice has collected blow hot air on the cowls and fan exhaust duct at a maximum air temperature equal to 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) until no ice remains. Use a hot air duct from a HOT AIR BLOWER (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)).
(3) Do a visual check for ice collected on the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces.
(4) De-icing of the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces.
(a) If there is ice collected on the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces, blow hot air on the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces to a maximum air temperature of 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) until no ice remains. Use a hot air duct from a HOT AIR BLOWER (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)).
(5) De-icing of the drain mast area.
(a) Apply heat to the drain mast area with a HOT AIR BLOWER or GUN - HOT AIR (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)).
(6) Preheating of the engine
The engine preheating procedure is required to warm the oil and fuel systems up to a temperature that ensures a good engine start and avoid fuel leaks during engine start.
1 If you are following the 2 conditions below:
PRE CFM SB 72-0034, PRE CFM SB 72-0036, PRE CFM SB 72-0035
a Install engine covers (if not installed):
f Remove the inlet and exhaust covers.
END OF PRE CFM SB 72-0034, PRE CFM SB 72-0036, PRE CFM SB 72-0035
POST CFM SB 72-0034, POST CFM SB 72-0036, POST CFM SB 72-0035
g No pre-heating need.
END OF POST CFM SB 72-0034, POST CFM SB 72-0036, POST CFM SB 72-0035
2 If you are following the 2 conditions below:
f Remove the inlet and exhaust covers.
Subtask 71-00-00-860-251-A (1) Do a visual check of the intake cowls and the fan exhaust duct for collected ice.
(2) De-icing of the cowls and the fan exhaust.
(a) If ice has collected blow hot air on the cowls and fan exhaust duct at a maximum air temperature equal to 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) until no ice remains. Use a hot air duct from a HOT AIR BLOWER (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)).
(3) Do a visual check for ice collected on the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces.
(4) De-icing of the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces.
(a) If there is ice collected on the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces, blow hot air on the cowling and the thrust reverser external surfaces to a maximum air temperature of 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) until no ice remains. Use a hot air duct from a HOT AIR BLOWER (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)).
(5) De-icing of the drain mast area.
(a) Apply heat to the drain mast area with a HOT AIR BLOWER or GUN - HOT AIR (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)).
(6) Preheating of the engine
The engine preheating procedure is required to warm the oil and fuel systems up to a temperature that ensures a good engine start and avoid fuel leaks during engine start.
NOTE: It is recommended to warm up both engines at the same time.
NOTE: It has to be noticed that warm-up procedure duration of 65 minutes has been observed with the following blowers characteristics:
(a) Apply preheating procedure: - Blower output air temperature: 158 deg.F (70 deg.C).
- Blower air flow: 2900 cubic meter/hour - 1700 cubic feet/minute this time can be taken as an indicative value.
1 If you are following the 2 conditions below:
- Outside Ait Temperature (OAT) between -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C) and -40 deg.F (-40 deg.C).
- Turn around time more than 2 hours and engine oil temperature less than -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C).
PRE CFM SB 72-0034, PRE CFM SB 72-0036, PRE CFM SB 72-0035
a Install engine covers (if not installed):
- 98N1010H001-000 INLET COVER
- 98N1010H005-000 EXHAUST COVER.
- Open the oil tank access door (Ref. AMM TASK 79-11-05-000-801).
NOTE: In such conditions, blow hot air in the fan compartment at maximum 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) and in the core compartment at maximum 194 deg.F (90 deg.C) until the engine oil temperature at ECAM display reaches a temperature of 17.6 deg.F (-8 deg.C).
- Install oil tank access door blower adaptor ("locally manufactured - adaptor") and fix the duct blower.
- Install the engine inlet cover port and connect the other duct blower.
NOTE: The fan compartments is warmed up through the oil tank access door. The core compartment is warmed up through the engine inlet cover.
d When the warm up phase is fully completed stop and remove: - The blower duct from the oil tank access door blower adaptor
- The blower adaptor
- The blower duct from the engine inlet cover.
NOTE: Engines shall be started within 12 minutes after the blower shutdown.
e Close the oil tank access door (Ref. AMM TASK 79-11-05-400-801). f Remove the inlet and exhaust covers.
NOTE: If the inlet or exhaust covers cannot be released from the nacelle due to ice, use HOT AIR BLOWER or GUN - HOT AIR (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)) to facilitate this procedure.
END OF PRE CFM SB 72-0034, PRE CFM SB 72-0036, PRE CFM SB 72-0035
POST CFM SB 72-0034, POST CFM SB 72-0036, POST CFM SB 72-0035
g No pre-heating need.
END OF POST CFM SB 72-0034, POST CFM SB 72-0036, POST CFM SB 72-0035
2 If you are following the 2 conditions below:
- OAT below -40 deg.F (-40 deg.C) and Total Air Temperature (TAT) more than 2 hours.
- OAT below -50.8 deg.F (-46 deg.C) (Max TAT 2 hours).
NOTE: In such conditions, blow hot air in the fan compartment at maximum 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) and in the core compartment at maximum 194 deg.F (90 deg.C) until the engine oil temperature at ECAM display reaches a temperature of 17.6 deg.F (-8 deg.C).
NOTE: For OAT below -50.8 deg.F (-46 deg.C), the warm-up procedure needs to be performed during the all duration of the TAT, with no engine oil criterion.
NOTE: Ground operation below -50.8 deg.F (-46 deg.C) and OAT more than 2 hours with engine shutdown is not approved.
a Install engine covers: - 98N1010H001-000 INLET COVER
- 98N1010H005-000 EXHAUST COVER.
- Open the oil tank access door (Ref. AMM TASK 79-11-05-000-801).
- Install oil tank access door blower adaptor and fix the duct blower.
- Install the engine intake cover port and connect the other duct blower.
NOTE: The fan compartment is warmed up through the oil tank access door. The core compartment is warmed up through the engine inlet cover.
d When the warm up phase is fully completed stop and remove: - The blower duct from the oil tank access door blower adaptor
- The blower adaptor
- The blower duct from the engine inlet cover.
NOTE: Engines shall be started within 12 minutes after the blower shutdown.
e Close the oil tank access door (Ref. AMM TASK 79-11-05-400-801). f Remove the inlet and exhaust covers.
NOTE: If the inlet or exhaust covers can not be released from the nacelle due to ice, use HOT AIR BLOWER or GUN - HOT AIR (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)) to facilitate this procedure.
(7) Make sure that the N1 rotor turns freely in the counter-clockwise direction forward looking aft. B. Engine Operation
(1) Install a CONTAINER 3 L(3/4 USGAL) (fuel resistant) below the engine core drain mast.
(2) Do the normal procedure to start the engine (Ref. AMM TASK 71-00-00-860-827).
(3) Check that there is no fuel leakage at the drain mast, pay particular attention to the split control unit/servo valve actuator during the engine start when the temperature is less than -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C).
(a) If the fuel leakage continues after five minutes at idle, shut down the engine and re-perform the heating procedure.
(4) If the ENGXD-0353-SAV POS (CLOSED) is shown with valve stuck closed or start valve not open, do a check for a frozen start valve.
(b) Open the SAV access door (Ref. AMM TASK 80-11-15-000-801).
1 Partially open the valve as follows:
4 Make sure that the manual override is not seized up or difficult to turn.
5 Close the SAV (Ref. AMM TASK 80-11-00-040-804).
6 Close the SAV access doors (Ref. AMM TASK 80-11-15-400-801).
(5) If necessary, do the oil system procedures that follow:
(b) Do a check of correct operation after next start with oil temperature more than 104 deg.F (40 deg.C).
(c) Do the inspection/check after the engine has exceeded the operational limits (Ref. AMM TASK 72-00-00-200-818).
(6) If there are icing conditions, do these steps:
(b) Slowly increase the engine rating from minimum idle to 70 percent of N1.
(c) Let the engine speed become stable for 0.5 minute at 70 percent of N1.
(d) Slowly decrease the engine rating from 70 percent of N1 to minimum idle.
(e) Do the steps above again in 30 minutes interval.
(7) If both engines were not warmed up at same time, do these steps: keep first engine running at minimum idle.
(a) Repeat Para 4.A.(1) to Para 4.B.(3)(e) up to second engine stabilized at minimum idle.
(1) Install a CONTAINER 3 L(3/4 USGAL) (fuel resistant) below the engine core drain mast.
(2) Do the normal procedure to start the engine (Ref. AMM TASK 71-00-00-860-827).
(3) Check that there is no fuel leakage at the drain mast, pay particular attention to the split control unit/servo valve actuator during the engine start when the temperature is less than -20 deg.F (-29 deg.C).
(a) If the fuel leakage continues after five minutes at idle, shut down the engine and re-perform the heating procedure.
(4) If the ENGXD-0353-SAV POS (CLOSED) is shown with valve stuck closed or start valve not open, do a check for a frozen start valve.
NOTE: Full opening of the Starter Air Valve (SAV) can cause damage to the SAV diaphragms when no air pressure is in the circuit. It is thus first recommended to operate the SAV butterfly at not more than 30 deg. angle to make sure that it opens and closes freely.
(a) If the butterfly of the SAV is not successfully opened, use the air duct of the SAV to increase the temperature. (b) Open the SAV access door (Ref. AMM TASK 80-11-15-000-801).
1 Partially open the valve as follows:
CAUTION:
FULL OPENING OF THE SAV CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE SAV DIAPHRAGMS WHEN NO AIR PRESSURE IS IN THE CIRCUIT. IT IS THUS RECOMMENDED TO ACTUATE THE SAV FLAPPER NO MORE THAN 30 DEG. IN ORDER TO CHECK ITS FREE OPENING/CLOSING.
a Turn the manual handle no more than 30 deg. clockwise (in order to prevent damage on internal SAV diaphragms) to partially open the valve. For SAV equipped with a single actuator, first push the wrench button and then rotate the lever. NOTE: If the manual override is seized up or difficult to turn, freezing/icing conditions may be present.
2 Blow hot air with a HOT AIR BLOWER (Max operating 158 deg.F (70 deg.C)) at a temperature equal to 158 deg.F (70 deg.C) on the starter air duct through the SAV access door. NOTE: When you increase the temperature, do not direct the heat flow to the SAV solenoid, electrical connector and harness HJ6A.
3 Turn the manual handle no more than 30 deg. clockwise (in order to prevent damages on internal SAV diaphragms) to not fully open the valve. 4 Make sure that the manual override is not seized up or difficult to turn.
5 Close the SAV (Ref. AMM TASK 80-11-00-040-804).
6 Close the SAV access doors (Ref. AMM TASK 80-11-15-400-801).
(5) If necessary, do the oil system procedures that follow:
NOTE: During the cold soak or sub-zero temperature starts, pressure surge may occur and high oil pressure is acceptable.
(a) If the ENGXD-0293-OIL FILTER IMPEND BYPASS or ENGXD-0291-OIL FILTER BYPASS or ENGXD-0292-OIL FILTER APPROACH BYPASS ECAM warning message is started temporarily during engine start with low engine oil temperature (less than 104 deg.F (40 deg.C)), no maintenance action is required. (b) Do a check of correct operation after next start with oil temperature more than 104 deg.F (40 deg.C).
(c) Do the inspection/check after the engine has exceeded the operational limits (Ref. AMM TASK 72-00-00-200-818).
(6) If there are icing conditions, do these steps:
NOTE: During engine operation in icing conditions, the ice can collect on the spinner, fan blades, and first stage stator vanes. This ice can flake and go out through the fan exhaust.
(a) Let the engine speed become stable at minimum idle. (b) Slowly increase the engine rating from minimum idle to 70 percent of N1.
(c) Let the engine speed become stable for 0.5 minute at 70 percent of N1.
(d) Slowly decrease the engine rating from 70 percent of N1 to minimum idle.
(e) Do the steps above again in 30 minutes interval.
(7) If both engines were not warmed up at same time, do these steps: keep first engine running at minimum idle.
(a) Repeat Para 4.A.(1) to Para 4.B.(3)(e) up to second engine stabilized at minimum idle.