I am a pretty experienced racer with a very good understanding of tuning and breaking in Nova engines and usually get 8-10 gal out of them before I decide to try another model of Nova. Even after I run them for 8-10gal I sell them to guys who are starting out in nitro or someone who just really comes out every now and again to have fun most are still running at 15+ gal! Anyway recently I had a CRE p5 after about 5-6gal go south due to rear bearing failure with good compression still and never abused running VP 30%/9% it didn't explode but sounded like a chainsaw so I have got that one fixed. Well I ended up getting another REALLY good 5port Nova and I got a new gallon of VP added 2% castor but about a half gallon in it happened again rear bearing failure but still ran great but sounded like a chainsaw I came off to preserve the internals due the fact I have spent a ton of money in 2 months after running 2yrs with same engines until now! Anyway I am just curious if I'm the only guy who has had rear bearing failure running VP lately? Is there anyway a hard landing/chassis slap be the bearing killer cause I have had two new Savox HV servos fail also? I recently got a TKI3 and all of this happening since and I want to figure this out before I go crazy also before I tear up some more SHITE! I lost a points series after leading for half of the series then had two DNF in a row also going to Fall Brawl in Mrytle Beach soon ans want to go with confidence or might as well stay home! Also before this I have never had a engine(I have owned 7 Novas) just break or quit running premature EVER! I have switched to Byrons but now I have no engine to test/practice with so I just wanted some opinions while I wait on engines to be returned. I hope it's just a bad batch of fuel! Thanks for any advice or help! I did want to say that I know for a fact it isn't where or who I got the engines from they really are awesome engine guys that's a fact!

Your not alone..

Never had any issues due to fuel running 30/9 or 20/9 vp fuel.

Make sure it is not any of the grey colored VP fuel. There was a large batch out that was not blue and it wreaked havoc on 3 of my motors. The problems went away after I switched fuels.

+1. Had it kill a few rear bearings. However I also know several guys who dont have a issue. For reference my issue were also in a mod motor, most everyone I know who has success with VP run stock motors.

I have used Vp with success for a year or more (case and a half) and I ran for a year without a single DNF or flame out in a main but recently my buddy has had two Novarossi engines go bad a new Keep-Off being one of them and he is someone how gets a decent life spand from his engines also! Well he was running the same fuel but there's guys who are running it and doing fine getting good results/lifespan so I wish there was a way to test oil content! I wonder if VP would help out if it was a fuel issue cause I spend $300 plus on my mills and ouch it hurts when they just fail really quick with proper usage and break-in? Thanks to a really good stand up guy who has helped me out I was so happy until the 2nd race with it and clutch bell bearings started going bad $10 ceramics ouch again all of a sudden on the straight I started hearing a weird sound at high RPM and after changing clutch bearings AGAIN it made the chainsaw sounds on the box! AW hell I don't know it sucks and I am used to knowing what the problem is and resolving it quickly! VENT! VENT VENT! Sorry!

Same here so I feel better that you said that and I am going to run Byrons for now on to be sure and sane! I really take pride in my babies and finishing races is the only way to progress! I should have listened ("Quote" NO VP)to the stand up guy who is very knowledgeable but hard head makes for a soft ass and thin wallet!

Bought a case and after a gallon in 3 different engines, bearings went bad in all 3. Got rid of the rest of that fuel! Out of curiosity do you use after run oil?

99% of the time its user related.

Tried 3 other brands and most of which are produced by vp and no issues what so ever.. Was the oil package by vp contaminated somehow?? Call it what you want blame a user for receiving bad fuel..

that is why I stick to Sidewinder.. :-)

Yes, there was a bad batch. Here in California as well. A guy at the track lost 3 engines.

I have no experience with vp but have had great luck with Byron's. My early fail bearings have mostly been due to failed attempts to learn how to mod a crank.

I've heard that the actual ingredients VP uses are good but the mixing is terrible. People have tested it and got anywhere between 4% and 13% oil. Thus if engine is tuned for the gallon of 13% and then the gallon of 4% is opened up for the main, there goes your engine!!!!!!!!

Yeah I use a couple drops of Byron's lube booster pure castor but not much. Add 2oz to first gallon also.