Needing to learn more about RC nitro engines?Wanting to learn more on the tuning of a RC nitro engine?
RC nitro engines can be very temperamental little creatures. Plus, learning nitro engine tuning can lead to some hair pulling and the use of some unknown words. You have to keep in mind that each nitro engine, even from the same manufacture, is going to tune differently. The big thing to remember is when you are learning the requirements for tuning RC nitro engines. That your engine is unique. You do need to get in the practice of reading and following the manufacturer's directions. Every builder of RC nitro engines does things just a little different, so please follow their instructions. You do not want to void your warranty by trying something outside of the parameters set forth by the builder. Now let us try and understand these little monsters. The nitro engines used in RC trucks and cars are the focus of this conversation. 
Sidebar =============== The nitro engines used in planes and other aspects of the RC hobby are much larger than what I am describing. Since you are here to learn about RC trucks and cars I well leave them out. I have a hard enough time on the ground. I can just imagine the wrecks I would have with a plane or boat. My buggy and truggy go through heck the way it is. I guess that should tell me something, I need to work on my driving skills. I guess I have done it again got off task and got to rambling about another topic. So, back to the task at hand. ================================================================ Manufacturers are making these RC nitro engines as small as 0.05 cubic inch to the monster big blocks of 0.32 cubic inch. With a huge variety of sizes in between. With the maximum horsepower from the .32 engine to be over 3 hp. These engines run at extreme rpms some where between 25,000 to 35,000. Those numbers just amaze me. How something that small can turn that kind of rpms and stay in one piece. Plus, produce over 3 horse power. This is from a factory stock engine. Engines that are modified in any way can far exceed these numbers. But our talks are going the stay with the stock versions. Thank goodness for good engineers. All RC nitro engines of this size are 2 cycle glow plug engines. They use a glow plug to ignite the nitro fuel . One other little twist is the oil blend. The oil is a blend of synthetic oil and Castor oil. You do not have to worry yourself about all this. The RC nitro engine you are using will have a suggested nitro percent to use and do stay close to that suggested percent. As far as the oil percent, the fuel chemists and engine manufactures have all that figured out for you. They work together to get the best combination for each blend. If you care to learn more about each nitro blend check out my page on fuel. Learn more about Rc Nitro Fuel here.
The rule of thumb is the higher the nitro percentage the colder glow plug and vice versa the lower percentage of nitro the hotter glow plug. This is one area that can and does get very confusing. There does not seem to be an industry standard for rating and numbering glow plugs. Your engine manufacturer, will again, have suggested glow plugs you should use. But there are many things that affect your glow plugs. The fuel you are using. Air temperature and humidity are two big fractures. Let us take the Mystery out of the RC Glow Plug.
Almost all RC nitro engines get the air and nitro fuel mixture into the engine through the use of a carburetor. This is where most the tuning of a nitro engine comes into play. This does depend on the nitro fuel and glow plug you are using. Most all of the carburetors are of the slide-valve design. Having a low-speed needle, high-speed needle and an idle screw. Most all of your fine tuning will be done with the high-speed needle. This needle is used to richen or lean the fuel air mixture entering into your engine. Leaning out your RC nitro engine will quicken acceleration and generate more top end speed. While at the same time raising head temperatures. Where richening your RC nitro engine will give you less acceleration and top end speed. Those lowering head temperatures. So, it is a fine balancing act to get it right. Again it depends on your engine. All RC nitro engines have an ideal running temperature of 190° to 250° F. So, always keep your temperature gun close at hand and check head temperatures on a regular basics. You will probably get tired of hearing this point, but never run your engine without it's air-cleaner in place. Just one little piece of dirt can DESTORY your RC nitro engine in an instant. Please take the time and effort to ALWAYS CLEAN AND RE-OIL your air-cleaner element. Doing this maintenance after each day of running your RC truck or car will pay off in the long run. I will get into much more detail in the section on fine tuning your RC nitro engine. A closer look at the Rc Nitro Engine Carburetor.
If you are thinking about your first truck or car that is powered by RC nitro engines the single most important thing to do correctly is engine break-in. Breaking in RC nitro engines can and will be a time consuming ordeal. Again this is another area that each engine manufacture has their own unique approach. So, follow your manufacturer's instructions and read your owners manual closely. Even when following these instructions. It can be confusing the first few times you need to break-in a new or rebuilt RC nitro engine. It will involve running 4 to 6 tanks of fuel through the engine before you can start fine tuning. If you feel that you need to understand the break-in process better just go to section on engine break-in and I will explain it in much more deal. A Graphic Blowup of a Rc Nitro Engine.
So, you have gone through the break-in routine and done some fine tuning. So, you have spent the day racing or bashing. Wondering what to do now? Your RC nitro engine does require maintenance after each and every time you use it. First of you will need to get all the dirt and mud cleaned off the engine. Then to repeat myself, clean and re-oil the air-cleaner element. You will also need to put a few drops of after run oil in the carburetor and a few drops on top of the piston. No more than 4 to 5 drops each place. There is more maintenance that you will need to do after each day of running. Again more details in the section on routine maintenance.
I know, I enjoy working on my truggy and buggy as much as I do going out for a day of bashing. These vehicles do require a huge amount of time be spent on maintenance and repair. I do hope that I am making your RC experience more enjoyable. So, get your toolbox and work bench setup to your liking and have some fun. Taking the Mystery out of the Glow Plug. How a Glow Plug Works.
check out the Rc Truck n Car Tuning swicki at eurekster.com Other Tools Ideas, that can make working on your RC Vehicles easier.
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Nitro fuel is a blend of nitro methane, methanol and oil. Thus the term nitro, to refer to all internal combustion engines that RC trucks and cars use. This blend varies greatly from 10% to 30% nitro and 10% to 18% oil. 
I hope all of this does not seem too over-whelming. Just take your time and do things one step at a time. 
