Adam Drake 3 O.S. Nitro Engine Carburetor Setting

[zxb466]

Hello,

I installed a new Adam Drake 3 O.S. engine in my Team Associated RC8B4.1. The owners manual says the high speed needle should be set 3 turns out from close as a stock setting. However, out of the box it was set to 2 turns out. When I put it to three turns out, the engine boggs as I accelerate and shuts off. When I turn the needle in back to 2 turns, it runs much better but am worried that what if that is too lean? Does anyone have experience with the carburetor setting on this engine?

 

[TeknoJ]

I don’t but start rich if it’s a new engine. Go 2.5 turns, once it is really ran in you will have to tune by ear. There is no magic number of turns and with nitro, you will always be tuning it.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Hello,

I installed a new Adam Drake 3 O.S. engine in my Team Associated RC8B4.1. The owners manual says the high speed needle should be set 3 turns out from close as a stock setting. However, out of the box it was set to 2 turns out. When I put it to three turns out, the engine boggs as I accelerate and shuts off. When I turn the needle in back to 2 turns, it runs much better but am worried that what if that is too lean? Does anyone have experience with the carburetor setting on this engine?

Too many factors that can affect carb settings to justify a set amount of turns. Temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, fuel, etc… The manuals are really good starting points though if you’ve completely lost the tune. If the idle is good then I’d lean the top end 1/8 turn at a time until it no longer dies. as you lean out the top the bottom end will aslo lean a bit so be sure to keep an ear on that.

 

[zxb466]

Someone shared this Adam Drake video with me which is very helpful. Wanted to post it here for anyone else to see

Thank you all for the help and input!

 

[zxb466]

Just tried the settings out in the video and it worked like a charm! Started right up and ran perfectly with no issues at all. The video is much better than the owners manual that only gives number of turns. The video is much more precise and accurate.

 

[Littlemotor]

Just saw this. Glad you got it handled already.

This is by far my favorite video on the subject (he has a more comprehensive, longer version as well). This method covers ALL nitro .21 engines. Can also be applied to larger, and smaller nitro glow 2strokes.

 

[zxb466]

Just saw this. Glad you got it handled already.

This is by far my favorite video on the subject (he has a more comprehensive, longer version as well). This method covers ALL nitro .21 engines. Can also be applied to larger, and smaller nitro glow 2strokes.

Is it okay to rev to max rpm with the wheels off the ground? I thought that to do the high speed pulls the wheels must be touching the ground for a more accurate tune and also to prevent damage?

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Is it okay to rev to max rpm with the wheels off the ground? I thought that to do the high speed pulls the wheels must be touching the ground for a more accurate tune and also to prevent damage?

Once the engine is warm it's fine as long as you're not revving the balls off it. It will help you get a close tune but final tune is usually wheels on the ground, at least for me it is

 

[Littlemotor]

Once the engine is warm it's fine as long as you're not revving the balls off it. It will help you get a close tune but final tune is usually wheels on the ground, at least for me it is

^^^^THIS @zxb466

 

[zxb466]

Do you guys know what the issue is when I go to idle after revving it after about 5 seconds the idle creeps up a bit. I checked my servo and throttle it’s closed fully. Does this mean I need to make the low speed needle a little more rich?

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Do you guys know what the issue is when I go to idle after revving it after about 5 seconds the idle creeps up a bit. I checked my servo and throttle it’s closed fully. Does this mean I need to make the low speed needle a little more rich?

Yes sounds like the low speed is lean and the high speed might be a little fat. After the throttle closes the engine is burning off the excess fuel from the high speed needle and then the low speed needle isn't keeping up.

I'm not sure how familiar you are with nitro engines but just in case for others that may be reading, carb tuning should be performed every time the engine is ran. Often times, as the weather throughout the day changes, the tune will also need to change. Even a few degrees of temperature change can make your tune go wonky.

There is no harm in running the engine fat, you might go through more glow plugs but it will help keep temps down and lubrication up

Just saw this. Glad you got it handled already.

This is by far my favorite video on the subject (he has a more comprehensive, longer version as well). This method covers ALL nitro .21 engines. Can also be applied to larger, and smaller nitro glow 2strokes.

To tag long on this

JQ Racing has a Extremely in depth video on how to fine tune a nitro engine. Highly recommend grabbing a beer and watching it. Sometimes I watch it just for fun

 

[Littlemotor]

^^^^That video will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know. And you’ll be LEARNING it, and why you’re doing what you’re doing, rather than just doing what we tell you. Always happy to help-just saying it’ll be far more beneficial when you know what’s going on, and why, and can make the adjustment based on that.

Yes sounds like the low speed is lean and the high speed might be a little fat. After the throttle closes the engine is burning off the excess fuel from the high speed needle and then the low speed needle isn't keeping up.

I'm not sure how familiar you are with nitro engines but just in case for others that may be reading, carb tuning should be performed every time the engine is ran. Often times, as the weather throughout the day changes, the tune will also need to change. Even a few degrees of temperature change can make your tune go wonky.

There is no harm in running the engine fat, you might go through more glow plugs but it will help keep temps down and lubrication up


To tag long on this

JQ Racing has an Extremely in depth video on how to fine tune a nitro engine. Highly recommend grabbing a beer and watching it. Sometimes I watch it just for fun

I watch a LOT of his shiit “for fun”, lol.. And I’ve been doing this foreverrrrrr. Never to old to catch a refresher, or even a reLEARN with my senile mind..

 

[zxb466]

Thanks guys! Will be watching that long video now

Wow, just saw its almost an hour and a half! LOL

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Thanks guys! Will be watching that long video now

If you're a Motorhead it's actually a super interesting video. JQs stuff has always impressed me with the total explanation of everything and the in depth visuals. If I had him as a teacher in grade school id probably be a doctor and my parents would be proud of me...

 

[Littlemotor]

Thanks guys! Will be watching that long video now

Wow, just saw its almost an hour and a half! LOL

I promise it’s worth it.. The knowledge alone.. Plus he’s the kind of guy you could just have some beers with and shoot the breeze.. And he’s RIDICULOUSLY smart/knowledgeable, and I find he’s one hell of a teacher. I’ve put a LOT of folks into JQ.

 

[TeknoJ]

Yep JQ from invisible speed. My first nitro was a breeze after watching those videos

 

[zxb466]

Just watched the video! Thanks for recommending it. I learned alot. Time to apply what I learned and tune this engine!