F1technical.net

Don't know specifically about F1 engines, but if you've ever seen an NHRA top fuel car engine being started, they have to squirt gasoline into the intake to get the engine to start. The nitromethane fuel they use is actually quite difficult to ignite.

Another peculiar procedure is the one that Champ Car engines used for shut down when they ran methanol fuel. Before they put the car away for the day, they had to run some gasoline through the engine to flush out any methanol in the fuel system. They called it "pickling" the engine. And it was necessary due to the corrosive nature of methanol fuel. Any methanol left in the engine would quickly dissolve things like magnesium intake plenum castings.

Side points; external dry sump pumps can be driven prior to start up to prime the bearings. Also, in days past, blipping was used to avoid fouling cold plugs and to prevent solid tappet damage.

Just as fyi, the Honda vids on the previous page are museum pieces.

I doubt F1 engines will need an Accusump or similar - circulating the oil while warming it will no doubt involve using an external pump which pressurises the system.

Pre-heating the oil and water system is all very well to establish clearances suitable for start up.
What about the pistons, they are designed for complex expansion with the heat source at the crown.
The temperature of the piston crown is much higher than the rest of the engine when running.
How do you deal with the time from start up to operating piston crown temperature?

If the clearances are too tight the engine won't turn freely, once it can be turned reasonably easily you can deal with the high oil consumption and crankcase pressurising until the pistons warm up fully.

Harv wrote:If the clearances are too tight the engine won't turn freely, once it can be turned reasonably easily you can deal with the high oil consumption and crankcase pressurising until the pistons warm up fully.

You dont want to be dealing with piston ring scuffing or skirt wear though.
There still needs to be a well worked out running warm up after pre-heating.

autogyro wrote:

Harv wrote:If the clearances are too tight the engine won't turn freely, once it can be turned reasonably easily you can deal with the high oil consumption and crankcase pressurising until the pistons warm up fully.

You dont want to be dealing with piston ring scuffing or skirt wear though.
There still needs to be a well worked out running warm up after pre-heating.

True, but it can't be enough of an issue that they worry - there's nothing special done between preheating and normal starting that can be seen from watching it on TV.