I also prefer to use the throttle (accelerator pump) to prime. Less likely to overprime.
On many (if not most) aircraft engines this is potentially dangerous. If you use the accelerator pump in an up-draught carb, when the engine is not running, you risk fuel collecting in/around the air box / filter / intake - just waiting for a backfire to start and engine fire. The primer injects fuel into the manifold - where it is not going to run out.
I accept that, on many installations, either:
- Pumping the throttle is the only method of priming.
- The process of priming involves fuel ending up all over the ground (Gipsy engines).
IF there is a system designed to prime the engine, I can't help feel it is sensible to use it.
OC619
P.S. While on the topic:
Does everyone know the procedure, on their particular aircraft, to be followed in the case of a fire on startup - WITHOUT referring to the check list?
If not a little revision may be in order - if it happens you won't have time to look then.
