So I finally got my nitro engined fixed and ready to go. Just in time for winter.... The engine is an ofna picco .26. Older version with the purple head. I live in North Dakota and plan to bash my savage x in the snow. Our temps are averaging about 40 degrees F this week. This engine is my designated winter engine and only has to last through this winter. I have a brand new dynamite .28xp for when the weather warms.

I've been advised that cold weather contracts the sleeve around the piston and shaves off life. I am going to buy a heat gun to heat it up before starting. What temp should I heat the engine to? What plug should I run in cold weather? Any other tricks or tips to prepping an engine in cold weather? I've heard of people wrapping it up in a paper towel or even tin foil. Maybe a specialized fuel? Just brainstorming here, any input is appreciated. I got started with electric and am now moving towards nitro so be easy on me with terminology and such heh.

If you look on Amainhobbies.com they have something called an "Engine Cozy" and it might help keep your temps up in cold weather. Just a suggestion. Never had a chance to try it myself.

EDIT: It's called a "Cylinder Cozy" lol my bad

I've ran my nitro trucks in the winter for years. Only thing I do different is use a heat gun to heat the motor up before starting it. You will also need to richen up your high speed needle a little because the cold air is denser than hot air. The denser air has more oxygen which means you need more fuel. Other than that I've never done anything different. The motors actually seem to run better when its cold out.

Grab an old tube sock, cut the top portion of the elastic off and fold it to where you have 2 layers. Wrap that around the head.

Sleeve's have a tapered pinch. As the piston gets up to TDC it gets tighter (obviously). When you heat things up before starting, everything expands, oils in the fuel can do their job better.

To rearrange what you have been advised, every and any outside temp can have the potential to create more wear-n-tear on a engine that is not warmed up before starting. Follow the break in bible and heat cycle it, you will be fine.

+1 I say this as I made the "rookie" mistake of thinking that since it is cold outside and I had been running in Hot weather I could lean out my motor more. Wrong answer. Keep settings the same and add a piece of tin foil wrapped around the head. Use the heat gun to prepare for starting and adjust your HSN as needed after you have ran it for several minutes.

you can go to a thinner oil like 5w30 as the weather gets colder, get a good tank/block heater to plug in over night so the engine will stay nice and warm.also have a can of sure shot and some fuel additive so your fuel won't freeze/gell up..it's too dam cold out there Andrew, winter time is time to build or rebuild for next season.. get your monster truck ready so we can get that class going again..

Never gets too cold here in San Diego. I'm even in the coldest eastern part. We might get a couple 40-something days.
Id keep my stuff inside the house instead of garage. Maybe put the car(s) in a cooler with a hot water bottle or something when going out to the bash site.

Nah, just put the head by your 1.1 car or truck exhaust pipe whilst running, that will heat it up.

Heh, you don't run your trucks in the winter? I got the truck ready to go. Will prolly run it this week. I got that picco .26 running so I'll run that this winter and put the brand new .28xp on when it warms a bit.

I'd like to thank all that posted here, appreciate your help. Will run the truck in a couple days with the confidence that I know what to do.... haha wish me luck

My truck is ready, but it ain't a racer. If you guys need one more on race day it'll be around though.