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Measuring Engine Temp

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DDrccar

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I'm new with Nitro engine, and I a question regarding measuring engine temp. What the most accurate time for measuring the engine :
1. At Engine running idle ???
2. The Car stopped & Engine Full Throtle ????
3. Soon after the car running full throtle on long straight course ???

Thanks for any advice.....
 
Well, first things first ... invest in a temp gun. Average price is at about $25-$34. Some are higher but OFNA, Duratrax and a couple others are at the said price.

As far as when to take the reading, don't do it too soon after starting. Let the engine get to operating temp. I myself measure at half tank and just before the gas runs dry. Try to keep the temps between 220-250 F. I usually try to aim for 235-240F. Now that it's winter and pretty cold out at times, my temp never got above 205F. Doesn't matter anyway, I put her away for the season.
 
Ok,....I've got the temp gun.......but my question is " in what condition we start to measure ???" ; at FULL THROTTLE or AT NO THROTTLE ??? Because is big difference.
 
How are you going to measure at full throttle when the car would still be moving?Run the car as you normally would, bring her in, take off the body (if it's a touring car) and take the temp at the heat sink.
 
Thank's Diver6127......

To put car steady while engine running is very simple just put something below the car and hit the Full throttle....... With this way, there are no cooling air coming through the engine & with the same HSN setting it's easier to reach 240 -250 F.

And again with the same HSN setting we got the lower temp if we measure after the car moving on the long straight in full throttle because there are enough time for cooling when bring her in......
 
It did cross my mind that you were thinking of putting it on someting but I really wouldn't do it that way. Main reason is because that's not really the way an engine would perform under real load.

What I do, when tuning, is run the car without the body the way I usually would run her. Because of what you said, the engine tems wouldn't be the same (only +/- by a few degrees) by the time you get the body clips off and take the reading. When I do this I usually aim for about 225 F. Reason being that the engine will run a little bit hotter with the body on. ALSO, I have found that when the tank starts to get below 1/2 full the engine will tend to lean out a little bit.

All this said, aim for 225F with the body off at 1/2 tank. That way you're still in the "safe" zone for operating temps. Once the engine starts to lean out, the temp will rise a little bit BUT still be in the safe range (below 250F).

I do this on my NTC3. Now that I have become used to my car, taking the body off is pretty easy, and I keep the engine running so that there is not too big of a fluctuation in temp readings. All things said, practice makes perfect.

Another reason why I don't want to turn the engine while on a stand or block is that I really don't want to spin the engine without a load and the safety issue comes into play. Just try what I said, running without the body, to tune her and just be patient and finesse her. It usually takes me about 3 tanks to get her tuned the way I like it. BTW, I average about 226-241F just after taking the body off.

Good luck
 
Bring the engine up to operating temperature. Measure at the glow plug and around the head button. Best results are achieved with an infrared temp gun with a laser pointer.
 
If it's cold where you are at, keep an eye on the temps. In my experience, they have a tendency to jump up on you pretty quick. By cold, i mean below 40degree F. Most engines get excessive wear and tear above 270. Like others have said, try to keep the engine around 220-240. Drive it like you normally would, and check it periodically until you feel comfortable with where the temps are fluctuating. Then check it every couple of tanks.

Checking it if it sits and idles for 10 minutes won't do you much good. Checking it after holding it wide open for 10 minutes, again, won't do any good. Then again, after 10 minutes of wide open, you probably won't have an engine left, but i think you get my drift.

Good luck.
 
The way I do it with my cars is, I run the car untill the gas tank is completely empty..that way i know the engine has just been ran lean so its the hottest time to measure. Only i dont have a temp gun cause i had to buy a new RS4, lol so I stold my dads Grill Them. and just let it sit on my heat sink and it gives me a reading in about 5 secs...lol. ghetto!
 

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