Hey guys,
I've got a HPI Nitro Star .12R XS engine that has been used for about 20 tanks of fuel (including 10 tank break in) and I just installed it on my new R40 and noticed that even though the engine is running rich (lots of smoke) the engine is becoming 240°F (at the glow plug).

I was running a McCoy MC-59 (hot) glow plug and changed it to the MC-9 just now since summer is slowly coming (20°C outside). I haven't tried it with the MC-9 yet but I'm not sure why the engine is running hot even at a rich setting.

I checked the compression and there is plenty.

Any ideas? tnx

I have the same engine/car, and delt with the same problem. Seems that it likes to run a little hot, but with very little oil content. I now run white lightning 30%, and 8% oil. The motor dropped almost 40 degrees, and with tuning, picked up alot of power. I had been using blue thunder 20%. I used the same hot plug. I also switched to a Lola body, basically puting the engine outside the body, plenty of air. I got a new pipe/header(I had been running an old HPI pipe with the rubber coupling), and the temps went down further, and it picked up more power. It's a THS pipe I got from Towerhobbies. So far this has been a pretty good setup.

I think the problem is that I'm running a high oil content fuel (16%).

i had sorta the same problem with mine. i also run it in a NTC3 and it ran pretty hot.......i went from sidewinder 20% 12% to white lightning 20% 8% and it is staying steady at about 223* F so its running amazin now....

Mine is running around 280°F after racing (temp'd at the glow plug)