How hot is too hot
#5
Put a glob of spit on you finger tip and drop it on the part of the cooling head that turns down and inwards towards the glow plug.
Rule of thumb is -
If the spit just sits there and does nothing - it's too cold.
If the spits sizzles and disappears within a couple of seconds - it's too hot
If the spit bubbles a bit and then boils / evaporates away over a period of 6 - 7 seconds - it's pretty good (probably around that 190 to 210 range where most engines seem pretty happy.
As mentioned there are a lot of variables as to how hot each individual engine will like to run on a good tune.
If your getting that 6 - 7 sec spit test and the engines performing well and blowing nice smoke - then it's a happy engine. Don't worry about temps any more than that.
#6
Tech Initiate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 48
210 is very cold imo. Most engines run around 260, Ive had an engine that ran 300 degrees and it didnt have any kind of damage or shortened life span. If it is tuned correctly it probably wont overheat. Never tune with temperatures either
#8
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 780
From: New Jersey
Yea it all depends on the engine to. Some run cold some run hotter. I think I remember lutz saying he had engine that ran 250 and another 290 with same settings. Main thing is the tune and how it feels. A lot of people say alpha engines are better being really hot.
But the main thing is if you have proper tune and smoke coming out.
But the main thing is if you have proper tune and smoke coming out.
#9
Ive run engines at and over 300f for years.
Tuning is based on performance and sound. Temperature and smoke mean next to nothing.
On a windy day, you'll have lower temps. And some fuels smoke more than others.
I'm sure I'll catch flack for my opinion but I've yet to cook an engine, ever.
So many newbies get caught up in tuning to temps that it makes nitro seem so difficult. If it's running good, just keep running it. If it's too lean it WILL sound different and performance will suffer.
Tuning is based on performance and sound. Temperature and smoke mean next to nothing.
On a windy day, you'll have lower temps. And some fuels smoke more than others.
I'm sure I'll catch flack for my opinion but I've yet to cook an engine, ever.
So many newbies get caught up in tuning to temps that it makes nitro seem so difficult. If it's running good, just keep running it. If it's too lean it WILL sound different and performance will suffer.



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