karter15

I just recieved my first nitro car, a used Mugen MBX5 off of ebay. I want to do a complete teardown of the car and clean everything. Is there a special way to take apart the engine (O.S. 21VG) and clean it out or can I just clean it with warm, soapy water and compressed air?

Fluke

i wouldn't use water. A little bit of fuel, alcohol and wd40 should work

jamminnay

iTrader: (11)

fuel works well to clean motor parts...

karter15

simple enough. thanks guys. Now what about bearings? I'll probably just completely replace the ones in the buggy but I need to learn sometime.

Mlbracing

This is what I'd recommend doing if your new to nitro

buy a new clutch and learn to put it together
read up on engine temperatures and low end and high end needles
and just give the buggy a good bath after every race with simple green, an air compressor and a brush, just make sure to take the engine off first, no simple green on the clutch

Mark_Australia

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys what is simple green?
I see it recommended in other threads.... I figured it was a degreasing fluid but if people specifically recommend simple green what is it about that product?

PS I'm just blowing it out then using a brush and methylated spirits on the greasy bits

Chill_Will

iTrader: (33)

It's a all purpose cleaner. Cleans really well and safe on most surfaces. Non Toxic. Biodegradable, non flammable and non corrosive.

LabRat99

iTrader: (1)

www.simplegreen.com

Don't know if it's available outside the US though...

LabRat99

iTrader: (1)

I never use water on my buggies... I clean with compressed air, picks, and brushes.

Things I pull off of it during teardowns get thrown in a bucket of 50/50 simple green and water ( I remove any bearings first ).

I'd go through the buggy looking for stripped plastic and replace all the screws with a high quality screw kit ( like Tony's Screws ).

Good luck and have fun with it!

RickBac

iTrader: (20)

Simple Green is a far safer cleaning product than, brake cleaner, motor spray, gasoline, etc.

It is water soluble. It cleans almost as well as the alcohol/petroleum based products.

I have seen it slightly grey some plastics.

If you are outside the US and can not find simple green, I assume you have something similar available.

rced1

iTrader: (17)

In addition to the other good suggestions I would add, keep the cleaning solutions away from the electronics (servos-receiver-etc.); besides fuel denatured alcohol is good for cleaning the inside of an engine, and remember to lube the inside with after run oil or mineral oil (engines with epoxied cranks) on assembly.

moeman

iTrader: (26)

I find a spray can of foaming window cleaner works great . The ammonia cuts the grease, and blow it off with compressed air. Isopropol 99% works great too.

CanyonCarverR1

iTrader: (13)

Be careful using compressed air, it's really good at pushing dirt into bearings!
Personally I use a brush and some Serpent Cleaning Gum.
For the engine, I tear it down after every day of racing or practice.
Here's the steps I use:
Remove the clutch
Cover the intake and exhaust ports
Spray off the exterior of the engine with Nitro Wash, or similar
Remove the glow plug
Remove the back plate
Remove the head
Remove the sleeve
Remove the piston
Push out the crank
Spray everything off with Nitro Wash
Inspect all parts, especially the piston and sleeve
Coat all parts with Mugen Engine Maintainence Oil, or other light oil
Make sure to coat the bearings
Re-assemble in reverse order

Following this regiment will properly maintain your engine, and you will spot problems before your engine blows up.
Hope this helps

ruggydriver

also when your at the track and everyone is using simple green between runs... i use wd-40 and blow it off with the air compressor rather its right or wrong i woult say i think its right because simple green degresses your berings and wd-40 dosent so makes more since to me

AlanHall

iTrader: (43)

yeah getting WD in a gallon and putting it in a bottle works good..and coats and protects everything nice..