How Long

[GillesRich]

How long should a nitro engine last? Especially the Traxxas 3.3!!! I'm just wondering if I should expect 1 year, 2, 3 or more?

I used up a gallon in mine in about 4 weeks. Just to give you an approximation to how much I use mine.

Thanks,

GillesRich

 

[nicholas655]

it all depends on how you treat it , it could last you a month like it can last you a few years ,in my opinion.

 

[scoobydoo2u]

it all depends on how you treat it , it could last you a month like it can last you a few years ,in my opinion.

Agreed !

Life expectancy of an engine is all in how you treat it.


-Always properly break in your engine.
-If you don't know how to tune your engine read up on it! It's definitely worth protecting your investment.
-Use after run oil.
-Leave piston at BDC (bottom dead center)
-Use a good high quality fuel for your hobby (Boat, aircraft,or surface depending on your model)
-And last but definitely not least ALWAYS use air and fuel filters!

 

[nicholas655]

I'm starting to think that the after run oil is a waste of time doing it everytime you run your truck , one of my buddies is a very experienced hobbiest and never does the after run except for the winter season, and i've never seen a engine run so smooth. But then you got some people that will say to do it every run. I have seen the proof of not doing it and it seems ok to me .

 

[Timmahh]

agreed. how its broken in, maintained ect will varry the lifetime.

I've seen some motor run for 3 or 4 gallons and need rebuidling, then I've seen some go well over 10 to 12 gallons ( which i think is considered about normal) and approaching 20 gallons before needing a rebuild.

i ll use afterrun, but not after every run. if the motor will be setting for w weeks or more i ll afterun it. but if I'm going to be running with in a few days to a week, even two. i wont afterrun, just make sure the piston is at bdc.

i ll also afterrun durring any general maintenance time, as it wont hurt.

 

[scoobydoo2u]

I'm starting to think that the after run oil is a waste of time doing it everytime you run your truck , one of my buddies is a very experienced hobbiest and never does the after run except for the winter season, and i've never seen a engine run so smooth. But then you got some people that will say to do it every run. I have seen the proof of not doing it and it seems ok to me .

I used to always use after run oil and I to started questioning if it was really required..
In short I learned my lesson..

After I stopped using it my engine started running really crappy couldn't get it to run right for nothing..
Now needless to say I always use after run oil.

Some have luck not using it, but I'm not one of them..

Also I would rather spend 2$ for a bottle of after run oil every few weeks then take any chances.

 

[nicholas655]

Trust me i will still use it but i found it odd that he never uses it and never had a problem with his engine what so ever. its a picco p3 .28 modded stage 3, and it runs liek a crazy mo fo hitting close to 60 mph easy.

 

[Racer 1966]

I never use after run oil and never check position of the piston when I put it away. I did at first but it seemed to mess with the glow plugs and made the first start harder the next time I ran it.
Lucky??? Maybe, But my truck is stored in the house in my climate controlled hobby room!
BTW it's a Savage 25, same engine, 5+ gal. and 1 1/2 years since I got it and still tight/good compression and ready to go!

 

[GillesRich]

I do an after run procedure every time I'm about to put my truck away for the day. I use WD-40 instead of after run oil, however when I put my truck away for the winter I will use the after run oil.

I've broken in the motor as per Traxxas' recommendations. The motor runs really good right now, every time I take it out it seems to have more pep. I'm just about done my first gallon!

The reason why I was asking how long a motor should last is to brace myself for things to come.

I understand why one would want to use the after run oil. It prevents condensation thus preventing rust/corrosion in the piston chamber.

I don't understand what benefit would leaving your piston at BDC do to the engine? Could someone explain it to me? I'm fairly new to this hobby (little over a month).

Thanks,

GillesRich

 

[scoobydoo2u]

I used WD-40 in my trx 2.5 and I found that it made a huge mess all over the cooling head and that huge mess attracted alot of dirt.


But any ways, as you probably know a piston rides up and down in a sleeve.

Well.. that sleeve is tapered (wider at bottom then at top) and as it warms up the taper go almost completely away.

The reason (from my understanding) for not keeping your piston top dead center is so your piston won't get "pinched" at the top of the stroke and ruining your piston/sleeve.

Sorry I couldn't better explain it!