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Your RC engine is the power behind your car, plane, boat, or helicopter. When choosing an engine for a new project, or if you just want to replace an existing engine to make your machine the fastest on the block, knowledge is power!
The key to having a successful and enjoyable experience with a nitro powered vehicle is knowing how to properly tune and maintain your engine. The critical factor in making a nitro engine run correctly is achieving the proper air/fuel mixture which in turn determines the operating temperature of the engine. A typical 2 stroke engine will run best with a cylinder head temperature of between 220-250 degrees.
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The main cause of premature engine failure is running the engine too lean (a lack of fuel in the airflow). This will overheat the engine and cause the piston and sleeve to wear out prematurely. One highly recommended precaution is to invest in an engine temperature gauge, like the ones offered by Traxxas and MIP, to monitor your engine temperature. Engines can last for only a week or for many years - make sure you learn to tune your engine properly!
In terms of engine maintenance, after you have initially run it for a day then just follow these easy steps to promote a longer life:
After running the engine, empty any unused fuel out of the tank.
Start the engine as if you were going to run it in order to remove any un-burnt fuel from the engine.
Remove the air cleaner and glow plug from the engine and add a few drops of after run oil - like those offered from Hobbico or Prather - into the carburetor and the cylinder head. Turn the engine over a few times to coat the inside of the cylinder. Remember, the nitro in the fuel attracts moisture and after run oil will prevent rust build-up.
Remove any dirt stuck to the outside of the engine. Dirt will insulate the cylinder and restrict cooling.
Finally, clean the air filter with electrical motor cleaner and re-oil the filter with filter oil available from Team Associated or Dynamite.
Nitro powered engines come in 2 stroke and 4 stroke configurations. 4 stroke engines are primarily used in RC airplanes. The plusses to a 4 stroke engine are the tremendous amount of torque they produce and the incredibly realistic sound they make. Hearing a model warbird fire up with a Saito 4 stroke engine adds plenty of realism! Although there are 4 stroke engines available from OS Engines for cars, the power band they produce requires drastic gearing changes and often, the gearing is not available to achieve maximum performance on a particular track. 2 Stroke engines lack the torque of 4 strokes, but because they typically reach much higher RPM's, they develop the raw power for which they are famous! OS Engines offer exceptional economical and performance minded engines for planes, cars, boats, and helicopters. However, if you crave the ultimate in power and performance, the Italian made engines like Nova Rossi, RB Concepts, and Picco are the only choice.
What to check for if your engine won't run properly:
Check the glow plug! This can easily be done by removing the plug from the cylinder and attaching it to the glow igniter. If the glow plug is good, the coils will light up BRIGHT red (in a straight line).
Check to make sure the igniter is charged. In most cases, if an engine won't start, the igniter is not delivering enough power to the plug. Remember, no more than 1.5 volts are required to power the plug!
As your model accelerates, if it loses power and dies, richen-up the mixture by turning the main needle valve counter clockwise - the engine is starving for fuel. An engine running too lean is the most common reason for poor performance.
When you run your car, do you see smoke coming out of the exhaust? If so, that's a good thing! Smoke coming out of the exhaust means the engine is getting plenty of oil and fuel.
Nitro power adds a new dimension to RC models. There is a learning curve involved in tuning and maintaining a nitro engine; however, with the right tools and guidance, you will have a successful and very exciting experience!
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