Novarossi P5 Break in questions...

[AC48]

Hey guys,

It was 70 degrees here and spring is coming. I'm gettin ready to break in the P5 in my XB8. I already know this is going to be a pain in the ass lol. I tried turning it over on the starterbox with no luck at all. Of course it got stuck at TDC before turning over once. I couldn't get it free by the flywheel so I ended up taking off the whole heatsink and getting the piston loose. While the heatsink was off I tried it again, and I did get it to turn over for a bit with no heat sink. I couldn't really tell if it was just pushing the sleeve up with it or not, if it was it wasn't doing that too much.

Anyway I have a few questions. Do you think putting some ARO in there and just turning if over for a while on the starter box would help to loosen it up and start breaking it in? Maybe it would be easier to start doing that?

Also I normally run 20% fuel, I run a Collari B3 on 20% too. Do you think I would be ok with 20% fuel or should I really go up to 30? No competitive racing yet, just racing casually with it for the most part till I find a track.

Other than loosening the plug and heating up the block is there anything to make this thing a bit easier to start?

I have the OFNA chrome top starter box, with the highest amp gel cell, 7 amp I think it is?

I may have the opportunity to stop at a hobby store next saturday, which is rare, so is there anything else you think I may need?

Thanks for any help.

 

[jon2]

Anyway I have a few questions. Do you think putting some ARO in there and just turning if over for a while on the starter box would help to loosen it up and start breaking it in? Maybe it would be easier to start doing that?

That is what you want to do for any Nitro engine. It gets the P/S lubed. I do this for my engines. I will drop a few in the crank case and turn it over without gas and then try to start it.

Other than loosening the plug and heating up the block is there anything to make this thing a bit easier to start?

I have the OFNA chrome top starter box, with the highest amp gel cell, 7 amp I think it is?

I may have the opportunity to stop at a hobby store next saturday, which is rare, so is there anything else you think I may need?

Thanks for any help.

I have the same box. Its a PITA still. Just keep doing what you are doing. You are in the right direction.

 

[AC48]

Cool, ok how long should I do that for you think?? I usually do it for just a little bit on other engines, but I am thinking of doing it for a a while to help get things set it right in the P5.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Also I normally run 20% fuel, I run a Collari B3 on 20% too. Do you think I would be ok with 20% fuel or should I really go up to 30? No competitive racing yet, just racing casually with it for the most part till I find a track.

The P5 is shimmed for 25-30% nitro, I have read that it doesn't run too well with 20%. You could try it but use a hotter plug.

I'm having the same problems getting mine broken in, I ended up shaving the starter wheel down so bad I need a replacement. Or a bigger flywheel lol.

 

[jon2]

Cool, ok how long should I do that for you think?? I usually do it for just a little bit on other engines, but I am thinking of doing it for a a while to help get things set it right in the P5.

I Do it just during break in only to make it easier.

 

[Diver6127]

The main reason I add aro before break-in is because the engine comes from the factory with very little lubricant. Lapping or turning the engine with ARO helps you protect the engine from a dry start and scoring the piston and sleeve. Do it with the glowplug removed. I first do it by hand then place it on the starterbox, add a few more drops and let her spin for a few seconds. After that, it's ready for break-in proceedure of your choice.

 

[AC48]

Ok thanks diver, I'll pull the engine and lap it some by hand first.

If I do get to the HS I will pick up some 30%. Maybe I should switch all my engines to 30%. The Collari would be fine, wonder if the 4.1 in the Savage X would be ok with it? The problem is the HS is 2 hours away, and a gallon usually lasts me a few months and if I had a gallon of each it would prob go bad before it all got burned.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[jetmechG550]

It's an awfully tight engine for sure. I just went through the same thing, and have the same starter box. I heated it up to about 150 with a heat gun, but you can use a hair dryer and get it just as warm. I kept getting stuck at TDC and would just pop the flywheel with a small screwdriver and it would kick right over. It gets better, trust me!

 

[J_Bone]

I used ARO too in my P5X. But the biggest thing to do it heat it with a heat gun or hair dryer till it ges to at least 150F. Then crank it over. remember, that engine takes about a Gallon to be fully broken in. Oh, I used 30% from day one of break in.

Good luck

 

[AC48]

Hey guys,

I had success today with the P5. I heated it up as much as I could, then I was able to turn it over for a bit without it locking up. It took a few minutes to get going but once it did it ran great. From the second this thing started I could tell there was some power behind it. I've heard an engine sound like that. When it started and was still cold for that first few seconds it sounded like an F1 car idling, sounded like it wanted to go faster haha. Once it got up above 200 it sounded a lot more smooth and didn't stall once.

I got about 4 tanks through it today and it had more power with every tank. Its still got so much pinch it gets stuck when I am trying to start it.

This thing has tons of low end. A bit more than my B3 already, and its on tank 4. Its also got a bit more mid, and I haven't hit the top end yet but I can't wait to.

It already killed the Novarossi plug that came with it, so I used a O.S. plug and I've heard they are shorter than a normal plug. When I took off the heat sink it did look a bit short, is that ok? Seemed to run fine with it.

Can't wait to really open this thing up

 

[Buggyracer28]

Novarossi's dont run nearly as well with OS plugs because they are alot shorter, but I've run some aswell and they were fine for temporary IMO. Dude I'm most likely getting this guys Hotmod P5 with 11 tanks through it with a Nocer head and RB 9886 pipe for my MSR $225 its gonna be kickass!

 

[vbgagnon]

He hasn't sold that thing yet?

 

[AC48]

Yea the only working plug I had was the O.S. I plan on getting something else when I can, any ones that work best? I was just wondering if it would hurt the engine somehow, like if it messed up the compression ratio too much.

 

[Buggyracer28]

He hasn't sold that thing yet?

Damn, I just found out he sold it 3 days ago.... I'm eying one up on ebay right now though. I will get my P5x 1 way or another lol

Yea the only working plug I had was the O.S. I plan on getting something else when I can, any ones that work best? I was just wondering if it would hurt the engine somehow, like if it messed up the compression ratio too much.

My friend told me to never run OS plugs because it changes the volume of the combustion chamber and essentially modifies the engine timing.

 

[AC48]

I understand that buggyracer, can anyone suggest a plug to use with a P5?

I've been running O'Donnel 99's in the Collari B3 and they worked well, but is there a certain plug that works best?

 

[sweetdiesel]

If you can't find the Novarossi #6 plug that comes with the P5 , OD#99 is the next best choice.

 

[AC48]

Alright thanks SD. The plug it came with died on me before the first start, but the O.S. made it run at least. I have no LHS near me, so I can probably find some Novarossi #6s somewhere online.

 

[jetmechG550]

McCoy MC-9 have been good for me so far.

 

[sweetdiesel]

I picked up some Racer's Edge Sure Fire plugs #5 because my LHS was out of the nova plugs. I'll let you know how they do after this weekend.

 

[AC48]

Cool thanks guys.