Breaking in an engine indoors

[dB Don]

I got my son a revo 3.3 and it has to be broken in.

It is -20 outside so I was thinking about strapping it to a set of rollers. It will still drive on its own and I will have a hose on the exhaust to the outside. It just won't go anywhere, kinda like a mini dyno.

Anyone do this before? The revo has a onboard temp guage so the temp and fuel can be better monitored I think while breaking it in using the traxxas method.

Once its broken in it can be driven in the cold with tinfoil on engine and snow proofed.

Am I crazy if I try this? Otherwise he will have to wait till spring to drive it. I know winter driving is ok but breaking it in during winter can be tricky I am told.

 

[Jeabajuice]

It really does not make a difference but some people will say they prefer to do it outside but i see it is really cold :whhooo: so you would want to do it inside. Just make sure you have alot of space and make sure the windows are open.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Main problem i see with this is you will have to have a very VERY unrestricting piece of piping from the exhaust to outside. The back pressure and exhaust pressure are a big factor i tuning a motor properly, even during break in. It will get really messy as well, because you are going to have fuel comming out of the exhaust, and if it builds up in your ventilation system, it could very easily catch fire.

 

[yammaha]

if you have a garage you could get it warm with a salamander or something and break it in out their and then open all the doors and let it air out

 

[w bill]

Just wait till it gets about 50 outside because you dont wana run it in the cold weather anyways. Grab an offroad video game stay in were its warm.

 

[bigjay]

if you have a garage you could get it warm with a salamander or something and break it in out their and then open all the doors and let it air out

How often do you use a salamander to warm your engine.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

How often do you use a salamander to warm your engine.

salamanders are cold blooded, i get my puppy to do it. mmmmmmmmmmm........ marshmellow fluff.....

 

[2revo1maxx]

If you do it in the kitchen sink you can wash it all down the drain...

 

[alpinehyperlite]

If you do it in the kitchen sink you can wash it all down the drain...

That was a joke. DONT

 

[hamz9561]

My concerns would be:

1. The Fumes
2. The Noise
3. The Temperature
4. The Mess

 

[PaulC]

I'm thinking of doing the first tank through my new Picco in the back yard (covered) with the gate open.

One tank on idle takes like half a hour of <yawn> NOISE! <yawn> Temp check NOISE

CBA to drive somewhere and do it, but I may have to give the neighbours a break.

 

[Extreme RC Mods]

Idling a brand new engine can be very hard on it, I would let it idle for a minute or two tops then get it on the ground and start fluctuating the RPM's. Ever notice how bad the shake and vibrate at idle? they are usually in a state of harmonic imbalance and that is very hard on all the internal parts. I have even heard of engines kicking themselves apart from too much idle time. Just like with 1:1 dirt bikes or cars/trucks, you never want to hold the same RPM for the first while until the engine is broken in. just something to think about.

 

[dB Don]

I was looking for your thoughts on doing this and thank you to those who gave legitimate replies. Hose exhaust resistance would not be an issue with a 3" exhaust hose. Noise is not a problem and temperature of garage is warm enough. I am gonna just wait till spring to do it its no problem.

 

[MotoGod]

I broke my Alpha Plus in last winter in the garage when it was @ 25-30 degrees out. I just cracked the door, added a few fans in the garage to usher the exhaust out...and read a few magazines while heat cycling it. It was a little noisy....I prepped for the mess...and the fans helped with the fumes. So it wasn't too too bad. I just kept the radio in one hand and varied the RPMS a bit while cycling it. Worked great for me ;-)

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Get an electric BL rig for wintertime bashing.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

You just have it on a stand or something Moto? What'd you do to get the temps up?

 

[MotoGod]

You just have it on a stand or something Moto? What'd you do to get the temps up?

I left it on my bumpbox actually. I put a 1/10th tire foam around the head and kept it a nice 190 - 230 for break in. I started out the first cycle @ 180-190, 2nd cycle was 190-210, 3rd was 210 - 220, then finall up to 225-235 and just cycled it for 4 full tanks. Pre-heat....run for a few minutes varying the RPMS a bit....cool to under 75 degrees. Repeat for 4 tanks of fuel adding a little more throttle with each tank past tank 2. By tank 4...I was giving it 3/4 to full throttle blips here and there and basically the entire range.

I'm still racing that engine....7 gallons on it now ;-)

 

[2revo1maxx]

That was a joke. DONT

I just realized you must have been talking to the OP, yes I was joking. Sorry for what I had to edit out.

 

[Macguyver]

i did something similar to MotoGod with my second 3.3 .....had the revo on a stand and pretty much did the same ...but i did it during the summer .....i used a computer fan hooked up to a 9v power supply to control the engine temp....i did it on a stand because i wanted to keep a close eye on the temp ....the 3.3 tends to run hotter than others ,, and i didnt want it to get to hot

that engine has a couple gallons in it now ..and it rips