What would you expect to happen to engine performance after applying full carburetor heat due to icing?

When full carburetor heat is applied due to icing, the performance of the engine is affected by several factors related to how engine carburetors function and how they handle ice accumulation. Carburetor icing can occur when moisture in the air freezes and forms ice inside the carburetor, obstructing airflow and disrupting the proper fuel-air mixture necessary for good engine performance.

Applying full carburetor heat introduces warm air into the carburetor, which helps melt the ice. When this is done, the immediate result is typically a power loss as the engine runs on warmer, less dense air, which may lead to a temporary decrease in performance. However, this loss of power is momentary because there is a delay as the ice melts and the resulting air-fuel mixture stabilizes. Once the ice has melted, the airflow is restored and the engine can recover power levels, but not instantaneously.

This process explains why power loss may continue for a brief period; after that, improved performance can be expected as normal airflow is restored and ice is no longer obstructing the carburetor. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the expected sequence of events: a temporary power loss followed by potential recovery as ice melts and the mixture becomes optimal once again.