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Your RC engine is the power plant behind your rc car, plane, boat, or helicopter. When choosing an engine for a new project or 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 most critical factor in making an engine run correctly is achieving the proper fuel mixture which in turn determines the operating temperature of the engine. Typically a 2 stroke engine will run best with an operating temperature of between 220-250 degrees.
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The main reason for premature engine failure is from running the engine to lean (lack of fuel and airflow) which overheats the engine and causes the piston and sleeve to wear out. To add a little insurance to your engine, it is highly recommended to invest in a temperature gauge, like those offered from Traxxas and MIP, to monitor your engine temperature. Engines can last a week or last years, make sure you learn to tune your engine!
As far as maintenance for your engine after you have run it for the day, follow these easy steps to promote long life:
After running the engine, empty any unused fuel in the tank out.
Start the engine as if you were going to run it to get rid of any un-burnt fuel out of 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 into the cylinder head. Turn the engine over a few times to coat the inside of the engine. Remember, the nitro in the fuel attracts moisture, after run oil will prevent any rust build up.
Remove any dirt stuck to the outside of the engine. Dirt will restrict the cooling of the engine.
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 strokes. 4 stroke engines are primarily used in rc airplanes. The plusses to a four 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 four stroke engine adds tons of realism! Although there are four stroke engines available from OS Engines for cars, the power band they produce requires drastic gearing changes and often times the gearing is not available to achieve maximum performance. 2 Stroke engines lack the torque of 4 strokes, but achieve much higher RPM's and develop that raw power they are known for! 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 ultimate choice.
What to check for if your engine won't run or 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. Most times if an engine won't start, the igniter is not delivering enough power to the plug. Remember, no more than 1.5 volts to power the plug!
As your model accelerates, if it loses power and dies, richen up (counter clockwise) the main needle valve. The engine is starving for fuel. An engine running too lean is the most common reason for an engine not running properly.
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.
A nitro powered model really adds a new dimension to radio controlled models. There is a learning curve involved with being able to tune a nitro engine, however, with the right assistance, tools, and help, you will have a successful and exciting experience.
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