
What does CHT mean in a car?
What is the difference between CHT and EGT?
How does changing the mixture affect CHT?
Why is there a TIT limit on turbochargers?
Does CHT increase when power is increased?
Does failure of one spark plug affect CHT?
See 1 more

What is CHT on an aircraft engine?
A Cylinder Head Temperature gauge (CHT) measures the cylinder head temperature of an engine. Commonly used on air-cooled engines, the head temperature gauge displays the work that the engine is performing more quickly than an oil or water temperature gauge.
What does high CHT mean?
under excessive stressHigh CHTs generally indicate that the engine is under excessive stress for its own good. That's why it's so important to manage the powerplant in a fashion that limits CHTs to a tolerable value. For Bonanzas and Barons, a reasonable rule-of-thumb is that optimum engine longevity is achieved by limiting CHTs to 380°F.
Where is CHT measured?
CHT can typically be taken from a probe in a threaded boss in each cylinder or from a special, wired gasket under a spark plug.
What causes low CHT?
An exhaust valve that's not fully closing can cause low CHTs - your mechanic can confirm this with a borescope (or a compression test -- they'll hear air escaping through the exhaust if the valve isn't closing).
What is cylinder head temperature in aviation?
According to the engine manual, the maximum allowable cylinder head temperature (red line limit) is 500 degrees F. Lycoming states flatly that the maximum redline cylinder head temperature limit must never be exceeded. For a longer engine life, the recommendation is that a maximum 435 degrees F.
How does a CHT sensor work?
A basic description of the sensor is that it is a thermistor device in which resistance changes with temperature. As the temperature increases, the resistance decreases causing a voltage drop to occur on the 5V signal wire. The PCM receives the various voltage signals and equates it to a temperature value.
What temp should cylinder head be?
93-137C Ideal Operating Temperature. 132-165C WOT and/or in a hover. 165-176C REDLINE!
What is the importance of monitoring cylinder head temperature?
Monitoring cylinder head temperatures is essential for proper engine calculations, so if the CHT sensor is off it can lead to fuel inefficiency, overheating, stalling, or even complete engine failure.
How the temperature of cylinder head is measured?
A Cylinder Head Temperature gauge (CHT) measures the cylinder head temperature of an engine. Commonly used on air-cooled engines, the head temperature gauge displays the work that the engine is performing more quickly than an oil or water temperature gauge.
How high is too high for EGT?
How Hot Is Too Hot for EGT's? Based on our own experience in the sled pulling and drag racing world, we can definitely say that any engine running at 1,800 to 2,000 degrees EGT for more than a second or two should be rebuilt every season and may incur turbocharger, cylinder head, or piston damage during the season.
What does EGT mean in aviation?
Exhaust Gas TemperatureDescription. In a turbine engine, Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT), sometimes referred to as Turbine Outlet Temperature (TOT), is the temperature of the turbine exhaust gases as they leave the turbine unit.
How do I get the best lean power?
Best power is obtained by gradually leaning until the RPM and airspeed peak in a direct drive engine or until airspeed peaks in a constant-speed propeller engine. If the airplane is equipped with an exhaust temperature gauge, lean to peak then enrich 100º F.
EGT and CHT Interpretation - AVweb
The most important reason to have a multi-probe engine-diagnostic system is the in-flight diagnostic capability that such a system brings.If the pilot knows and understands the system, a multi-probe cylinder head temperature/exhaust gas temperature (CHT/EGT) system can serve as an unparalleled “early warning” device, pinpointing the location and nature of various types of engine problems ...
Single cylinder high EGT, very high CHT, rough engine - Clogged ...
I hope an engine guru here can help me with a question regarding a problem I had with my IO-360-A3B6D . It has 1100 hours SMOH. I was flying my Mooney at 4000 feet, 24 inches manifold pressure, 2400 RPM, 100 degrees rich of peak.
CHT's WHAT IS IDEAL??? Lycoming IO-360 - VAF Forums - Van's Aircraft
Greg Niehues - SEL, IFR, Repairman Cert. Garden City, TX VAF 2022 dues paid N16GN flying 1,150 hrs and counting on 91E10; IO360, SDS, WWRV200, Dynon HDX, IFD440, G5
Is a lower CHT on one cylinder cause for concern?
$\begingroup$ I have an 0-470R in a 1969 C182 that has one cylinder (#6 which is the left front of engine looking forward) that has always run cooler at altitude & leaned rich of peak than the rest, especially in cold winter. Compression is good, oil consumption nill, engine runs fine on mag tests. #6 EGT consistently runs 50F in summer to 150F in winter lower than the highest cylinder which ...
High EGT on one cylinder (it's not the probe) - General Mooney Talk ...
Background: IO-360 A1A with roller tappets, 650hrs since factory overhaul. Peak EGTs are typically high 1400s-low 1500s (20°BTDC timing). Recently, #2 EGT has increased, and is now 100°-150° higher than it has run in the past and now peaks at over 1600°. Here's what we've tried so far: Swapped pr...
The Savvy Aviator #59: EGT, CHT and Leaning - AVweb - AVweb
Mike – I appreciate this opportunity to ask you an educated question… I also have taken the APS course in Ada, Ok and have owned my Pa24-260 Comanche GTO since 2001, presently equipped with JPI830, GAMI injectors, and EIS ignition.
What does CHT mean in a car?
CHT measures heat energy wasted during the power stroke, when the cylinder is under maximum stress from high internal pressures and temperatures. EGT measures heat energy wasted during the exhaust stroke, when the cylinder is under relatively low stress. High CHTs generally indicate that the engine is under excessive stress for its own good.
What is the difference between CHT and EGT?
CHT mainly reflects what’s going on in the cylinder during the Otto cycle power stroke before the exhaust valve opens, while EGT mainly reflects what’s going on during the exhaust stroke after the exhaust valve opens:
How does changing the mixture affect CHT?
Alternatively, changing the mixture can affect CHT by changing the rate at which the air-fuel charge burns , and therefore causing θ pp to occur earlier or later. The burn rate of the air-fuel charge is fastest a mixture that is slightly richer than stoichiometric, approximately 50°F rich of peak EGT (50°F ROP).
Why is there a TIT limit on turbochargers?
The purpose of the TIT limit is to protect the fast-spinning turbine wheel from blade stretch.
Does CHT increase when power is increased?
It’s obvious that CHT increases when power is increased, and that it also increases when cooling airflow is decreased. But there are a number of other factors that also affect CHT.
Does failure of one spark plug affect CHT?
Failure of one spark plug or magneto can also affect CHT , because the air-fuel mixture takes longer to burn when it is ignited by only one spark plug instead of two. This causes θ pp to occur later and CHT to decrease.
Acronyms & Abbreviations
Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!
A Member Of The STANDS4 Network
Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!
What is CHT in combustion?
CHT is the residual heat from combustion and therefore ought (in theory) to be able to provide much of the same diagnostic information that EGT can. The main problem with CHT is that it is slow to respond.
What is a high CHT on a 3 cylinder?
In this case, we’re looking at a high CHT on #3 cylinder. The CHT is grossly, abnormally high.Either there’s some type of very abnormal combustion process going on in the cylinder (and certainly, pre-ignition should be considered with such a high CHT), or there is abnormally high friction in the cylinder, or the probe is being subjected to unusual heating.Notice the low EGT on cylinder #5. An exhaust leak at the #5 exhaust gasket may be blow-torching the CHT probe on the adjacent cylinder (#3). If such torching is happening, a precautionary airport landing in called for.It may be as simple as a bird’s nest or other obstruction to cooling over #3 cylinder, but the cylinders 3 and 5 indications are abnormal enough to warrant a precautionary landing to see what’s up.
What is the most important information about EGT?
The single most fundamental piece of information any EGT system gives the pilot is the knowledge that combustion is occurring.This is actually a very useful function, such as during an engine-out occurrence in a twin. An engine that’s not producing power can still show rpm (and therefore oil pressure), manifold pressure (MP), fuel pressure, ...
Where is the EGT probe located?
The EGT probe is located in each exhaust pipe, typically four to six inches away from the cylinder head. It measures the temperature of the exhaust gases exiting the cylinder. The actual temperature of the exhaust varies with a number of elements such as the power setting, altitude, ambient air temperature, and cylinder compression.
What does CHT mean in a car?
CHT measures heat energy wasted during the power stroke, when the cylinder is under maximum stress from high internal pressures and temperatures. EGT measures heat energy wasted during the exhaust stroke, when the cylinder is under relatively low stress. High CHTs generally indicate that the engine is under excessive stress for its own good.
What is the difference between CHT and EGT?
CHT mainly reflects what’s going on in the cylinder during the Otto cycle power stroke before the exhaust valve opens, while EGT mainly reflects what’s going on during the exhaust stroke after the exhaust valve opens:
How does changing the mixture affect CHT?
Alternatively, changing the mixture can affect CHT by changing the rate at which the air-fuel charge burns , and therefore causing θ pp to occur earlier or later. The burn rate of the air-fuel charge is fastest a mixture that is slightly richer than stoichiometric, approximately 50°F rich of peak EGT (50°F ROP).
Why is there a TIT limit on turbochargers?
The purpose of the TIT limit is to protect the fast-spinning turbine wheel from blade stretch.
Does CHT increase when power is increased?
It’s obvious that CHT increases when power is increased, and that it also increases when cooling airflow is decreased. But there are a number of other factors that also affect CHT.
Does failure of one spark plug affect CHT?
Failure of one spark plug or magneto can also affect CHT , because the air-fuel mixture takes longer to burn when it is ignited by only one spark plug instead of two. This causes θ pp to occur later and CHT to decrease.

Multi-Cylinder Model Basics
- The EGT probe is located in each exhaust pipe, typically four to six inches away from the cylinder head. It measures the temperature of the exhaust gases exiting the cylinder. The actual temperature of the exhaust varies with a number of elements such as the power setting, altitude, ambient air temperature, and cylinder compression. It is also infl...
CHT Indication
- CHT is the residual heat from combustion and therefore ought (in theory) to be able to provide much of the same diagnostic information that EGT can. The main problem with CHT is that it is slow to respond. It also measures the temperature of one spot on the cylinder head, and nowhere else.CHT can typically be taken from a probe in a threaded boss in each cylinder or from a speci…
Common Indications
- Some indications of trouble are shown in the example displays below. Bear in mind, the actual instrument indications may look somewhat different in real life, depending on ambient conditions, the cylinders affected, the type of engine, etc.Also, one cannot always tell what exactly is wrong, because some malfunctions cause similar indications. Or there could be multiple malfunctions. …
Example 1
- The problem shown at right is a high EGT indication on cylinder #2 (numbering of cylinders is from left to right); CHT, however, is normal on all cylinders. The likely problem is that one spark plug has stopped working in #2 cylinder. If the EGT is intermittently high, the spark plug firing is intermittent as well.Note: A single, high EGT reading could also be due to a partially obstructed f…
Example 2
- In this instance, we are looking at a possible EGT bank-specific imbalance. The CHT indications are quite uniform.In a fuel-injected airplane, the staggered EGTs with the seven bar spread of around 175 degrees shown here could mean the need for injector nozzle cleaning. In a carbureted engine, this kind of spread could be normal, indicating differences in cylinder compression and/…
Example 3
- In this case, we’re looking at a high CHT on #3 cylinder. The CHT is grossly, abnormally high.Either there’s some type of very abnormal combustion process going on in the cylinder (and certainly, pre-ignition should be considered with such a high CHT), or there is abnormally high friction in the cylinder, or the probe is being subjected to unusual heating.Notice the low EGT on cylinder #5. A…
Example 4
- Notice the staggered CHT pattern on this gauge. One bank of cylinders is running colder than the other bank. A check should be made of cowling and engine compartment for cooling irregularities affecting one side of the engine. That includes checking the cowl flaps on cowlings that have two separate cowl flaps.According to Insight Instrument Corporation, “On some aircraft, one inch of …
Example 5
- In this example, the EGT is low on #5 cylinder, as is CHT. The #5 cylinder is becoming a so-called “cold cylinder” through one cause or another.Either compression is low, or fuel flow to the cylinder is so restricted that “the fire is going out.” (If the engine is fuel-injected, it’s time to look for significant nozzle blockage.) So check the nozzles and check compression.
Example 6
- This time the #3 cylinder is indicating high EGT and CHT. The correlation of the two together can be taken as pointing to a combustion problem. (However, typically, preignition results in dropping EGT and rising CHT, and can be caused by something as basic as a faulty spark plug.)Upon seeing this indication, the whole stack may be maxed out by the excessive CHT reading and the …
Example 7
- 0)]Finally, this example should cause a certain amount of worry for any Lycoming owner. Notice the low EGT (and CHT) indications for cylinders #1 and #2. This could just be a normal indication for this particular engine. But it could also spell problems in those two cylinders.One possibility is a bad intake lobe on the camshaft. The intake lobes (unlike the exhaust lobes) do “double duty” i…