Mixing fuel

[T-MAXXER5289]

I just bought a gallon of byrons 20% nitro fuel and still have some top fuel 20% left over. The thing is, is that the byrons only has 12% lube when the traxxas has 16% i think. Can I mix the fuels safely to bring up the content of lube?? Or should I add after run to the fuel or should it just be left alone?

 

[SuperMaxx97]

i would think that it wouldn't do anything to the motor. but if i was u i would run the rest of the top fuel and then run ur byrons fuel. but this is me.

bryan

 

[Team 17]

To be safe, I would just leave it alone. And finish ur Top fuel and then start the byron.

 

[SilentGTboy]

I don't think 12% is enough! Who knows the minimum oil % content here?

 

[SuperMaxx97]

i was wondering about that i dont think that it is enough either.

bryan

 

[Team 17]

Check this thread about the lube.

https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=4507&highlight=fuel+lube

 

[T-MAXXER5289]

So in other words........................I should leave it alone!?

 

[T-MAXXER5289]

is that a yes?

 

[SuperMaxx97]

just stick to the traxxas 20% for now.

bryan

 

[StrechM]

Add a couple of shots of Crown Royal.....

 

[RobH]

that whole lube percentage thing is kind of weird. some engines will say they require 18 percent lube. odonnel 20% racing fuel, however, has only 16 percent (according to towerhobbies). yet odonnel is a very very popular fuel and people have great results in the very same engines that said they required 18% lube.

the difference is odonnel, for example, uses high quality synthetic lubes in their mix (along with natural lubes I'm sure).

if the fuel you're using doesn't have enough lube, your engine will tell you so. you're gonna get high temps or poor performace as you will have to compensate with a richer setting.

1. don't mix fuels

2. don't be afraid to try a fuel with a lower amount of lube. you will know if it's not any good.

-Rob

 

[uDi_MP7.5]

Agreed Rob.

Originally posted by SilentGTboy
I don't think 12% is enough! Who knows the minimum oil % content here?

18-20% used to be a good oil content figure to look for, but nowadays with high-tech fuels on the market using much better quality oils, it is perfectly reasonable to run lower oil contents. You will most likely run cooler/faster with a quality race fuel, than if you were trying to get power out of a cheaper oil-packed blend.

Also - T-MAXXER - if you ever stopped to think what task after-run oil performs, you would immediately know NOT to add it to your fuel. Great way to ruin perfect fuel if you ask me.

A good AR Oil (for lack of better words) eats up nitromethane and methanol, as well as leaving a combustible lubricant behind. This isn't the sort of lube designed to protect your engine at 200f+, and with the AR eating up the methanol and nitro, your fuel will work very very poorly.

--> Just use that fuel you've got, finish it off (run a little rich if you want, to be safe) and then move on to the new gallon.
Make sure you run a rich tank for a tank or two when you switch to the new fuel as well (like a mini-breakin) so that the engine can adjust to the new fuel.

 

[tmaster97]

if you need to byrons makes an oil additive that has a chart on how much oil to add to get the percent you want i run byrons rtr with 16% oil

 

[T-MAXXER5289]

I didn't add ARO nor did i think of the consequences(SP?)...........thanks uDi_MP7.5!!