I had a gallon turn kind of greenish on me earlier this year. Could not get it to tune, then I noticed the color. Went back to Byrons no more problems!!!!

What do you mean user related? Until it happens to you huh! I was a VP supporter but with the only 6 engines going south in 6 months between 3 of the most exp guys in the area who have got 8+ gal out of their engines in the past all Novas and same engines having rear bearing issues after a 1/2 gal - 2 gal of the same batch of fuel its got to be a lubrication issue so I would bet the farm on it! I am so sure now that I am not even going to send a new engine back to the distributer and bite the bullet spend my money again to fix it myself!

I have been racing nitro for close to 14 years now. I have used all of the fuels, Byrons, Sidewinder, VP, Rocket Science, Omega, Dynamite, etc. In my time I have had some bad batches of fuel but all I suffered was random flameouts or just no way of getting a motor to tune. I have never to the day had a rear bearing go out. Not trying to sound like a wise guy but I guess I am just lucky. I have been using VP for about 2 years now and have not had any issues. I have an OS thats on 12-13 gallons as we speak and still kicking. Still has the original rear bearing, replaced the front once due to leakage.

Definitely a lubrication issue. First thing to go when fuel is borderline on oil is usually bearings, unless doing long top speed runs . I was experimenting with mixing my own and around 6&1/2-7% oil the bearings would only last 1/2 to 1 gallon. I guess we are the 1% because in my case it is definitely not user error. LOL I have not had bearing issues before trying that fuel and have not had any since going to Odonnell so proof is in the pudding.

It's always possible that a bad batch of fuel got out. I have been running Nitro for a long time and I have seen bad fuel come out from pretty much every brand. Do any of you remember the bad Sidewinder a few years ago? Unfortunately it is mixed by either people who can make mistakes or machines that are monitored by people who can make mistakes. The factories are not going to recall or check which ones may be tainted. Its cheaper to pay for an engine here and there if somone can prove it and raises a big enough stink!

Yes, but it seems VP is having more "bad batches" than others in the last year.

Anything is possible

All I can say is I don't run it, my two most trusted engine dudes don't like it, however, if you like it go for it. I know plenty of guys that run it. To each his own. I can say plenty of bearings have been replaced. Not bad on holding compression though, and seems to do fine on the track.

Not saying this is the case but there is some new novas with bad batches of bearings

Good point. I wouldn't say bad batches just overall crappy bearings. It seems like bearings in general are getting lousy IMO.

The metal rear bearing on the Novas only last 2 gallons currently.
The part number is the same as before, but the balls are smaller diameter than before!
Anyone who have bought a Nova with a metal rear bearing, needs to change it at 2 gallons, that's my opinion.

2 gallons? That's when my Novas lose pinch and if I need to replace after break-in then something is not right! I wish companies would leave reliable parts alone where no changes are needed so whats next redesign the 17011 front?
After switching to Byron's from VP I had to lean the Hsn and Lsn almost a full turn with both engines I run and that is a sign of a better fuel IMO!

from what I see this fuel is all over the map with consistency...Some of it seems to run extremely good and some of it seems to run very poorly....Some of the engines seem to wear normally, others show very rapid wear and of course some with catastrophic wear....

I have seen occasional bearing failures on nova engine (cant really say it wasnt improper break in induced problem butttt) with all different fuels , I can also honestly say I personally see 6 gallons (ish) on any of my bearings with proper tune , fuel and storage . Never leave engine in humidity , never run engine out of fuel/lube and if you are gonna leave your engine in the race vehicle til next race leave it pointing nose down

hope this helps

I agree with Neal on last post

I have recently seen Nova steel rear bearings failing with any kind of fuel. Nova is supposed to be one of the high end engines but several drivers I know are switching out to engines like the FX because of this.