AoD
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 429
- Location
- Hammondsville, Ohio
Just a quick FAQ to help out the newer guys with their engines. I hope this answers some questions about your motor problems you have!
What does a nitro engine require to run?
Air and fuel. Selecting a good quality fuel with a good oil content is especially important to the life of your nitro engine. Also, keeping your air filter clean and the system air tight is a must.
What's the right way to start a nitro engine?
First, make sure there is fuel at the carb, if not plug the exaust and turn the motor over until fuel reaches the carb. Now, insert the glow igniter onto the glowplug and turn the motor over. If it fails to start within 5-10 seconds take the igniter off and wait. If the motor locks up, becomes very tight, this is called "hydro locking". There is too much fuel in the engine, and it's causing the motor to stop turning. Remove the glow plug, turn the motor over a few times then retry the process again. Forcing the engine to turn over while hydro locked can cause serious engine damage.
Rich and Lean, whats the real differences?
Running the engine tuning rich will produce less performance, but will in turn create a longer life of the motor. Running a motor lean will cause greater performance, but higher wear and less long term life from the engine.
How should I tune my engine?
That depends on you. If you want a long life out of your engine, tune for a rich setting that works. The richer the setting, the longer the lifespan of the engine.
My engine is really hard to start, what can I do?
Many starting issues are directly related to your low speed needle setting. Leaning the needle out some can make starting easier. Also, with many of the newer motors, the tightness of the piston in the cylinder can cause hard to start situations. This can last up to TWO gallons of fuel! You'll notice some increase in ease of starting after time with an engine. Usually stock low speed needle settings are good. In some cases though, they can be too rich and need leaned, or vise-versa.
My engine sputters when I give it full throttle, what's the problem?
This is a sure sign of a "lean-out". Where the engine tuning is set too lean. It doesn't have enough fuel to handle the air intake, and causes sputtering. Two stroke engines require a good amount of fuel to mix with the air. When there isn't enough fuel going into the engine, the engine cannot produce good combustion which in turn, causes sputtering.
My motor will not start at all, what can I do to check my motor?
1: Make sure there's a new glow plug in the engine.
2: Make sure the tank is full of fuel.
3: Make sure all fuel hoses are ran correctly according to the engines manual.
Try starting the motor again, if it still will not start, try these next options.
1: Turn the flywheel by hand. If there is no resistance, your engine is probably blown (wore out).
2: If it doesn't turn at all, it's probably hydro-locked, take out the glow plug and turn the engine over a few times, then retry with glow plug re-inserted into the motor.
3: If the motor makes weird sounds while turning over, there may be a serious problem in the engine. Take the engine apart and check for broken or disconnected parts.
Do you have any other important information I should know about nitro engines?
Nitro engines are very simple designs when compared to say, your car. But these motors are very high performance. Tuning them to the right spot can be difficult, but that's why it is a hobby. Learning to tune your motor is important. Look at tuning guides, dealer specs, and manuals to help learn this.
Another good way to help the life of your nitro engine is the use of After-Run oil. This lubricating solution helps fight the corrosive effects of nitromethane based fuels in the internal parts of your engine. Using after-run oil is a good thing to start doing. I personally use Trinity After Run Oil. Their product is well made, and the bottle has an excellent design. Another good oil to use is WD-40. This is especially easy to use when used with the red straw. You can get the solution directly into the motor without spilling it anywhere. Taking good care of your engine will certainly increase it's life.
Using guides here at HPISF, and user manuals, you can have a good dependable engine for your RC car or truck. Remember to use good methods of tuning to make that engine provide the life and performance that you want.
What does a nitro engine require to run?
Air and fuel. Selecting a good quality fuel with a good oil content is especially important to the life of your nitro engine. Also, keeping your air filter clean and the system air tight is a must.
What's the right way to start a nitro engine?
First, make sure there is fuel at the carb, if not plug the exaust and turn the motor over until fuel reaches the carb. Now, insert the glow igniter onto the glowplug and turn the motor over. If it fails to start within 5-10 seconds take the igniter off and wait. If the motor locks up, becomes very tight, this is called "hydro locking". There is too much fuel in the engine, and it's causing the motor to stop turning. Remove the glow plug, turn the motor over a few times then retry the process again. Forcing the engine to turn over while hydro locked can cause serious engine damage.
Rich and Lean, whats the real differences?
Running the engine tuning rich will produce less performance, but will in turn create a longer life of the motor. Running a motor lean will cause greater performance, but higher wear and less long term life from the engine.
How should I tune my engine?
That depends on you. If you want a long life out of your engine, tune for a rich setting that works. The richer the setting, the longer the lifespan of the engine.
My engine is really hard to start, what can I do?
Many starting issues are directly related to your low speed needle setting. Leaning the needle out some can make starting easier. Also, with many of the newer motors, the tightness of the piston in the cylinder can cause hard to start situations. This can last up to TWO gallons of fuel! You'll notice some increase in ease of starting after time with an engine. Usually stock low speed needle settings are good. In some cases though, they can be too rich and need leaned, or vise-versa.
My engine sputters when I give it full throttle, what's the problem?
This is a sure sign of a "lean-out". Where the engine tuning is set too lean. It doesn't have enough fuel to handle the air intake, and causes sputtering. Two stroke engines require a good amount of fuel to mix with the air. When there isn't enough fuel going into the engine, the engine cannot produce good combustion which in turn, causes sputtering.
My motor will not start at all, what can I do to check my motor?
1: Make sure there's a new glow plug in the engine.
2: Make sure the tank is full of fuel.
3: Make sure all fuel hoses are ran correctly according to the engines manual.
Try starting the motor again, if it still will not start, try these next options.
1: Turn the flywheel by hand. If there is no resistance, your engine is probably blown (wore out).
2: If it doesn't turn at all, it's probably hydro-locked, take out the glow plug and turn the engine over a few times, then retry with glow plug re-inserted into the motor.
3: If the motor makes weird sounds while turning over, there may be a serious problem in the engine. Take the engine apart and check for broken or disconnected parts.
Do you have any other important information I should know about nitro engines?
Nitro engines are very simple designs when compared to say, your car. But these motors are very high performance. Tuning them to the right spot can be difficult, but that's why it is a hobby. Learning to tune your motor is important. Look at tuning guides, dealer specs, and manuals to help learn this.
Another good way to help the life of your nitro engine is the use of After-Run oil. This lubricating solution helps fight the corrosive effects of nitromethane based fuels in the internal parts of your engine. Using after-run oil is a good thing to start doing. I personally use Trinity After Run Oil. Their product is well made, and the bottle has an excellent design. Another good oil to use is WD-40. This is especially easy to use when used with the red straw. You can get the solution directly into the motor without spilling it anywhere. Taking good care of your engine will certainly increase it's life.
Using guides here at HPISF, and user manuals, you can have a good dependable engine for your RC car or truck. Remember to use good methods of tuning to make that engine provide the life and performance that you want.
