How cold is too cold...

[srusinek]

The guy at our LHS is an idiot. If you take the precautions you can run your engine in any temp outside you feel comfortable out. Comfortable meaning you don't need 5 layers on along with 2 pair of gloves. For me that's around 50 degrees or so. I like to be able to run wearing a pair of jeans and a light sweatshirt. To each their own and at he end of the day it comes down to your enjoyment and fun.

 

[Reddog]

Now I do take precautions when running it in the cold. I do see one area that will have a major effect, the intake. Now it will be gulping in icy air. This can cause some odd stresses, like that part of the crank getting heat from one side and cold from the other. Also you may get the front bearing getting frost, then rust. So I can see both sides. I do not have real expensive engines. I love playing in the snow so I wrap the head and preheat the engine.
Shaun

 

[smittyzz]

Now I do take precautions when running it in the cold. I do see one area that will have a major effect, the intake. Now it will be gulping in icy air. This can cause some odd stresses, like that part of the crank getting heat from one side and cold from the other. Also you may get the front bearing getting frost, then rust. So I can see both sides. I do not have real expensive engines. I love playing in the snow so I wrap the head and preheat the engine

These are some pretty good points, but don't forget, if you have a medal carb, that is going tobe decently worm because its connected to the mill, so when air reaches the carbor I think that helps worm it up a little, and for the front bearing, its also part of block so I'm guessing between friction, and being part of the block, its decently heated. Again like I said, bearings aren't frozen when they start moving, there room temp unless there stored outside... So I'm sure the bearing doesn't take a big hit.

I could be comet Ely wrong but this is what I believe. I'll be taking temps next run this week.

 

[Reddog]

I would like to know, if you can, what the temp is outside when you run. Then the temp of the head, the side of the case (bellow the head) the card and the front of the mill. Just be cool to know. I am always up for getting more info. And this info may help with preparing an engine for cold running.

 

[smittyzz]

I would like to know, if you can, what the temp is outside when you run. Then the temp of the head, the side of the case (bellow the head) the card and the front of the mill. Just be cool to know. I am always up for getting more info. And this info may help with preparing an engine for cold running.

I will be sure to post,? Maybe I will tomorrow.
I've been running all winter, and have ran in below weather too. My engine hit 312° when it was -5° and I was tuning it. But I tune it usually every time I take it out due to temp changes outside. I tune it so she stays below 275 after some wot passes.
I've leaned it out a little before, got a huge performance game but temps also went above 300 again Lol, so I watch my temps a lot.

But when I do it I'll have temps of:
Indoor
Out doors
Engine@ room temp
Cooling head@ room head
Case at room temps.
And front bearing area at room temp. Then when it is at 190 I'll recheck all with heat on low to keep temps same,
Then I'll check them right when started. And lastly after worming up and running a half tank.

 

[Nitro Nerd]

I just base it on if I can handle the cold temps or not. If I can go out and run...so can my engines. I've run/broken in a slew of engines in 35-40 degree range with zero problems whatsoever. Can't speak to anything colder than that as I'm usually inside watching football. ;-) What I have learned is that all too often people treat these engines like newborn babies, and most of it is due to what someone heard from someone, who heard from someone, etc. Yes, you want to take care of them and follow common sense, but they are a LOT more durable than you might think. That has been my experience at least. If you don't know what you are doing with these 2-strokes, you're prone to error regardless of ambient temps. And no, I'm not someone who has studied engines for 20 years....but I've owned maintained going on 15 nitro engines now, and they are all still running strong....so as noted this is just based on my experience.

 

[goodgamer]

I love nitro but during winter I go to me electric cars, you get to experience both worlds. But when I have ran my nitro's in the winter I just keep it inside and let everything get warm, get everything ready and take it right out and start it.

 

[Nitrotrout]

Now I do take precautions when running it in the cold. I do see one area that will have a major effect, the intake. Now it will be gulping in icy air.

You're right, cold air does have a major effect. Its a well known fact
cold air is denser than warm air, therefore cold dense air requires a
slightly richer tune. Warmer, thinner air requires a slightly leaner tune.

 

[smittyzz]

You're right, cold air does have a major effect. Its a well known fact
cold air is denser than warm air, therefore cold dense air requires a
slightly richer tune. Warmer, thinner air requires a slightly leaner tune.

Now I remember why its richer in winter and leaner in summer! Thanks!
Got to lean her out some today

 

[hamz9561]

I have to agree with the statement that if I'm not comfortable outside, it's too cold to run there.