what is the proper way to break in a nitro engine
02-02-2011, 07:12 PM
#1
what is the proper way to break in a nitro engine
i am new to rc i started out with an electric slash 4x4 in april of last year.. but everyone at my track primerily runs nitro so i jumped on the band wagon not knowing a thing about them.. And funny enough it seems everyone has a different opinion as to how to break them in. Some say 3 tanks some say 4 tanks and some 6 tanks but reading rc magazines they often mention after a gallon the engine was finally broke in. Well how do you know when a engine is fully broken in,and whats the proper process to take to achieve the break in. i am a motocross racer but when i get a new bike i just ride it like i stole it. And i have heard you cant do that with these motors
02-02-2011, 07:29 PM
#2
i am new to rc i started out with an electric slash 4x4 in april of last year.. but everyone at my track primerily runs nitro so i jumped on the band wagon not knowing a thing about them.. And funny enough it seems everyone has a different opinion as to how to break them in. Some say 3 tanks some say 4 tanks and some 6 tanks but reading rc magazines they often mention after a gallon the engine was finally broke in. Well how do you know when a engine is fully broken in,and whats the proper process to take to achieve the break in. i am a motocross racer but when i get a new bike i just ride it like i stole it. And i have heard you cant do that with these motors
02-02-2011, 07:34 PM
#3
This is one of the most asked RC questions ever. If you search this site or Google you will find thousands of opinions on this.
The best thing to do is follow the manufacturer's suggest break-in procedure if the engine comes with one.
Nothing should be broken in by the "ride it like you stole it" method and that includes small displacement, single cylinder, 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines like on your dirt bikes.
The best thing to do is follow the manufacturer's suggest break-in procedure if the engine comes with one.
Nothing should be broken in by the "ride it like you stole it" method and that includes small displacement, single cylinder, 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines like on your dirt bikes.
02-02-2011, 07:43 PM
#4
I've asked this same question to Steve O'Donnell... In my opinion, a person who has been running, racing, building, and designing nitro engines for 30+ years, knows a thing or two. Below is an excerpt directly from the engine break in section of the SS.21 manual.
Tanks 1-4: Start the engine and run the vehicle approximately 100
tuning may be necessary at the track for optimal performance.
I asked Steve if this was the same process he used for all engines that he breaks in, or just the OD. His reply was that this is what he does for all engines, regardless of brand. One point to note, if you're breaking in your engine when it's in the 40's or 50's outside, he did mention that the 210 deg. max temp could turn out to be lower (around 180-190).
• It is recommended to NOT run the body on your vehicle during
break-in.
• DO NOT run the engine at full throttle until the break-in procedure
is complete and the needles are set for your current conditions.
• We DO NOT recommend that you idle your engine on a starter
box for break-in.
• Do not allow the engine to run out of fuel during break-in. This will
cause the engine to lean out possibly causeing engine damage.
• We highly recommend the use of a quality temperature gauge
to monitor engine temperature.
Find a large, flat, open area to perform the break-in procedure.
When leaning the engine during break-in, only
make adjustments of 1-hour increments. This will
help prevent over leaning the engine during breakin
and causing damage to your engine.
break-in.
• DO NOT run the engine at full throttle until the break-in procedure
is complete and the needles are set for your current conditions.
• We DO NOT recommend that you idle your engine on a starter
box for break-in.
• Do not allow the engine to run out of fuel during break-in. This will
cause the engine to lean out possibly causeing engine damage.
• We highly recommend the use of a quality temperature gauge
to monitor engine temperature.
Find a large, flat, open area to perform the break-in procedure.
When leaning the engine during break-in, only
make adjustments of 1-hour increments. This will
help prevent over leaning the engine during breakin
and causing damage to your engine.
Tanks 1-4: Start the engine and run the vehicle approximately 100
feet back and forth or in a fi gure eight. Do not squeeze the throttle
more than 1/2-way. Every 4-6 passes check the engine temp
making sure that it does not go over 170° Fahrenheit. Continue this
procedure for the fi rst four tanks, making sure you do not allow the
engine to run out of fuel.
more than 1/2-way. Every 4-6 passes check the engine temp
making sure that it does not go over 170° Fahrenheit. Continue this
procedure for the fi rst four tanks, making sure you do not allow the
engine to run out of fuel.
Tanks 5-6:
Continue running the vehicle approximately 100 feet
back and forth. Now you can squeeze the throttle 3/4 of the way.
Continue to temp the engine every 4-6 passes, making sure that
the engine temperature does not go over 190° Fahrenheit. After
tank 6 you are ready to fi ne tune in your engine. After tank 6 allow
the engine to cool down. Then restart the engine.
back and forth. Now you can squeeze the throttle 3/4 of the way.
Continue to temp the engine every 4-6 passes, making sure that
the engine temperature does not go over 190° Fahrenheit. After
tank 6 you are ready to fi ne tune in your engine. After tank 6 allow
the engine to cool down. Then restart the engine.
Tanks 7-8:
You can now run the vehicle approximately 150-200
feet, pulling the trigger to full throttle the last 50 feet of each pass.
Continue to temp the engine every 4-6 passes, making sure that
the engine temperature is close to 200° Fahrenheit but no more
than 210° Fahrenheit.
During tanks 7-8 bring the vehicle to a stop and allow it to idle for 10
seconds. Then pull full throttle for approximately 100 feet. Take note
of how much smoke comes out during acceleration. Optimum is a
small amount of smoke from stop to approximately 100 feet. Once
this is achieved do the same thing only go 150-200 feet. Continue
to check the engine temperature every 4-6 passes. The fi nal head
temp after break-in should be approximately 210° Fahrenheit.
After the 8th tank, your engine should be ready to race. Additional
feet, pulling the trigger to full throttle the last 50 feet of each pass.
Continue to temp the engine every 4-6 passes, making sure that
the engine temperature is close to 200° Fahrenheit but no more
than 210° Fahrenheit.
During tanks 7-8 bring the vehicle to a stop and allow it to idle for 10
seconds. Then pull full throttle for approximately 100 feet. Take note
of how much smoke comes out during acceleration. Optimum is a
small amount of smoke from stop to approximately 100 feet. Once
this is achieved do the same thing only go 150-200 feet. Continue
to check the engine temperature every 4-6 passes. The fi nal head
temp after break-in should be approximately 210° Fahrenheit.
After the 8th tank, your engine should be ready to race. Additional
tuning may be necessary at the track for optimal performance.
I asked Steve if this was the same process he used for all engines that he breaks in, or just the OD. His reply was that this is what he does for all engines, regardless of brand. One point to note, if you're breaking in your engine when it's in the 40's or 50's outside, he did mention that the 210 deg. max temp could turn out to be lower (around 180-190).
02-02-2011, 09:20 PM
#5
hey guys thanks alot this makes me feel alot better i just ordered a brand new o.s. .25xz and was very worried about the break in process but now i feel confident about how to properly break it in,also i have a duratrax flashpoint temp gauge is that a decent temp gauge or is there some thing better i should get. I am going to get a spektrum telemetry dx3s radio system to keep track of engine temps during our half hour mains,im hoping that will help....
02-03-2011, 12:31 AM
#7
use the drake method....
use a heat gun till its about 280..
start it
full pull for about 4 secs
let it cool off 10 15 mins
heat gun again lean it 2 or 3 hrs start it
full pull 4secs
done!
use a heat gun till its about 280..
start it
full pull for about 4 secs
let it cool off 10 15 mins
heat gun again lean it 2 or 3 hrs start it
full pull 4secs
done!
02-03-2011, 12:35 AM
#8
im from MX as well i use heat cycle method
about 5 tanks and its ready for race tune but i always preheat before starting till either the nuts drop or a gallon
02-03-2011, 03:54 PM
#9
Thye best way!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBcDy0fN6ek
ITS A JOKE DON'T DO THIS! You tube helps just look for a person who looks like they know what there doing. Theres a few like squirrel and you can also watch some others. There are multiple methods and normally when the engine is new its says in the engine manuel there recomended break in for that engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBcDy0fN6ek
ITS A JOKE DON'T DO THIS! You tube helps just look for a person who looks like they know what there doing. Theres a few like squirrel and you can also watch some others. There are multiple methods and normally when the engine is new its says in the engine manuel there recomended break in for that engine.
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