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What keeps the engine running?

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MatthewJ

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Once my engine is running, what ignites the fuel after i remove the glow plug starter ?

-Matthew
 
Once the motor starts, the glow plug is left glowing to fire the next power stroke. It's suppose to stay glowing the whole time the motor is running. You only need to start the engine with the starter attached, then the engine running itself will keep it glowing.

I couldn't think of a good way to say it so i found this for you.
(i didn't want to just say the engine keeps it running) :)
 
Last edited:
jnjritz said:
Once the motor starts, the glow plug is left glowing to fire the next power stroke. It's suppose to stay glowing the whole time the motor is running. You only need to start the engine with the starter attached, then the engine running itself will keep it glowing.

I couldn't think of a good way to say it so i found this for you.
(i didn't want to just say the engine keeps it running) :)
Click to expand...

the glow plug remains glowing by the heat that is caused during the explosion that is caused by the compression and heat produced by the glow plug
 
haha i noticed that u were still asleep and read this and was a bit confused at what u were trying to say so i just cleared it up

u were right... its just difficult to explain because well everything relies on everything and and it sounds like ur just chasing your tail lol
 
Lol i'm glad i'm not the only one that thought i was chasing my tail trying to explain that one . i was going to say it was like a diesel engine but not sure if some people would know what i ment and it would have confuzed people even more.
But anyway i think with both of our posts together, kinda sums it up for him ... I'll shut up now lol
 
nah i agree with u couse i was thinking the same thing haha
i will also shut up
he now knows how a nitro engine keeps going lol
 
I have a nitro T-maxx where I recently swapped out the stock for a new OS .18 engine.

And unfortunately, before that, I would have raised the question "Hmmm...they are supposed to KEEP GOING?!"
 
solly69 said:
come again?? :S
Click to expand...

I was just quipping about the fact that I never had good luck keeping the thing running. I got so fed up with it that I just recently dig it out after it has been dormant for 5 years. With the new OS .18 though, it is running pretty nice for a change! :)
 
traxxas t-maxx said:
Really I thought it was just compression alone I didn't know the gp stayed glowing.
Click to expand...

It's both mechanical heat (combustion) and chemical reaction (at lower RPM's) that keep the glow plug hot.

http://www.rc-truckncar-tuning.com/rc-glow-plug.html
Now why does nitro engine stay running? Presuming your carburetor is tuned correctly.

This is where science comes into play. There is heat generated in the combustion cycle. This heat is called "the catalytic reaction".

A catalytic reaction occurs causing platinum to glow in the presence of "methyl-alcohol," or "methanol".

This catalytic reaction will occur on it's own without any outside power source.

All of this only comes onto play during low rpm and when there is not enough heat being generated to burn all the fuel vapor. The catalytic reaction changes as rpms and temperature rise.
Click to expand...
 

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