Things that cause the engine to wear quickly:
-Improper air filtration
-Running too lean
-Not enough cooling
-Cheap fuel
The solutions:
Improper air filtration... keep your air filter clean and oiled, upgrade to a high performance air filter if you run in areas with excessive dust. You'd be amazed at the engines that we see come in with dirt all over the inside of the engine.
Running too lean... adjust the carb. as often as needed so that you see a nice trail of smoke at FULL SPEED. Running it too lean on the top end will overheat the engine.
Not enough cooling... cut out your body windows according to instructions. If you don't have enough airflow over the head you won't be able to keep the engine cool. It is highly recommended that you purchase some sort of temperature gauge. Engine temperatures over 250F will cause the engine to wear quickly.
Cheap fuel... don't buy $10/gallon fuel that is blended for airplanes. Car fuel is designed for cars, the oil blend is different than helicopters and airplane fuel. Not all car fuels are the same, some have less oil than others. Too much oil will bog down the engine at idle and decrease performance, not enough oil will make the engine wear more quickly. Car fuel labeled "Race" usually has a little less oil, it is intended for maximum performance at the expense of engine life. If you are driving off-road you really don't need a "Race" blend. The fuel is what lubricates and cools the engine, don't skimp on quality.
How to stop the engine?
If the engine is tuned properly (not too rich or too lean), it is perfectly safe to let the fuel run out completely and let the engine die. If you want to stop running the car before the fuel runs out, use a rag to stick over the exhaust tip to stop the engine. Make sure it is thick enough or bunched up so you do not burn your hand. Do not use your thumb over the air filter to stop the engine, you may push dirt from the filter into the engine. NOTE: NEVER use your finger or thumb to stop the flywheel of the engine, this is very dangerous and possibly harmful to your hand!
