Engine break-in (advice to newbies).

[militarymaxx]

Well, my GS .21 B01 engine that came with my Storm is dead.
Yes, after only 1 gallon of fuel through it, it died. The block has expanded to the point that the bearings just fall out, no heating or prying involved. There is so much slop that if you hold the engine with the pilot shaft pointing down, fuel/afterrun oil just runs right past the bearing. Compression is non-existent. Replacing the piston/sleeve wouldn't help because of the expanded block. What happened ? And here's my advice to all the new folks out there. Break those engines in properly. Looking back to how I broke mine in explains alot of why it died prematurely. Don't get excited like I did to the point of overlooking important steps in the break-in process. Take the time to do it right the first time or you'll be buying a new plant like I did. Rest assured, I will be more careful this time as my money tree out back is empty.

 

[FastEddy]

Good advice.
Most engines come with brake-in directions, follow them!

 

[Nitroaddict]

i am sad to hear that militarymaxx - but i too am a sinner. on my very first nitro car, the duratrash streetforce, i also hurried the breakin process. and sure enough, before even a gallon of fuel was gone, i had sever stalling problems when the engine got up to temp because of blow by, then engine ran very hot, and never could be properly tuned. luckily i was able to sell this mess before i had to deal with it. bottom line is follow those instructions, as we have all been where u are now, before.

 

[RobH]

youch!

MOST .21 engines require that you run 3-4 tanks of gas through them while the R/C sits at an idle. Then you’re supposed to run 2-3 tanks at an even, slow speed, never going WOT. I like to say MOST as it will change from engine to engine. The best advice is exactly what you said. Read the manual and follow it to the letter.

I don’t think I’ve come right out and said it, but I killed the .21BB in my Lightning Pro the first day out. This, however, was due to operator stupidity. I had the RC a football field’s length away when it flipped on it’s lid and started screaming at WOT. My fat ass made it to about the 50-yardline before the con rod broke and the engine stalled. $170 lesson learned that day: use a throttle-return spring and/or join the gym.

-Rob

 

[Nitroaddict]

:spam this is completely off topic, but it finally hit me. i have been trying to figure out who your photo reminds me of in your avatar, rob, and i finally figured it out! It's a giant George Castanza from Seinfeld!

 

[RobH]

Originally posted by Nitroaddict
... duratrash streetforce ... i had sever stalling problems when the engine got up to temp because of blow by, then engine ran very hot, and never could be properly tuned.

you just described every duratrax engine every purchased.

Originally posted by Nitroaddict
George Castanza from Seinfeld!

OMG! thats it. I'm gonna have to take an updated pic.

 

[Renegade88]

I ran my 21 Nitro Star in like so: 2 tanks idling very rich with glow ignitor pluged in so it did not stall. Then 3 tanks slow speed set rich. 4th tank runing i started to set the carb. I can now run just about the whole day and about 2 litres at a time. Engine does not get hot, idles fine and has lots power. It is also easy to tune.