How to Break in Your RC Boat's Nitro Engine
By Lynn McArthur
Now that you have a new nitro radio controlled boat, you need to know what you need to do to break it in properly. Breaking in your nitro engine properly is such a critical step...do not bypass this process, or you will be sorry!
It's important that during the first couple of tanks of fuel you run in your nitro RC boat, that you pay attention to varying and limiting your speed. Be sure not to run your engine past half-throttle, and don't run it at a constant speed.
Before you start your engine, here are some simple tips:
First Step: Turn your transmitter or controller on first, followed by turning on the receiver on your radio controlled boat. Then, when you are done running your RC boat, repeat this process in reverse...turn the receiver off first, and then the controller. Why? This prevents your nitro RC boat from running out of control if someone else close by happens to be running on the same frequency. Best practice is to check your frequency before running your new nitro RC boat!
Second Step: Put your throttle in neutral. Move the throttle into forward and reverse in order to be positive your nitro engine is in neutral, and in the idle position before you release the throttle.
Third Step: Check your steering by simply moving your steering controls gently from side to side. If the steering doesn't seem to respond as it should, replace the receiver's batteries before the next step.
Fourth Step: Prime your nitro engine. How? Go ahead and start up your RC boat. Pay attention to see if fuel is actually moving through the lines. If the fuel doesn't get to the carburetor after 3-5 seconds, quickly place and remove your fingertip over the tip of the exhaust for just a couple of seconds in order to help the engine get started. This is 'priming the engine'.
Let's Get Started With The Five Tank Nitro Engine Break-in
- Tank #1 Give your new nitro engine one-quarter throttle slowly for 2 seconds...and then apply the brakes. Pulling back on the throttle too fast may cause your engine to stall. You should see a nice trail of blue smoke coming from the exhaust, that means that your fuel mixture is perfectly set and the engine is being lubricated. If, however, there isn't any smoke, you should richen the fuel mixture by giving the air/fuel mixture needle about a quarter turn until you do see smoke. Keep on running your first tank of fuel, giving it one-quarter throttle and then braking until it is close to empty. Be careful not to run the tank completely dry, as this will result in a burned out glow plug! Now, shut off your engine by simply pinching the fuel line to the carburetor. Allow the engine to cool down for about 10-15 minutes before you start on the next tank of fuel.
- Tank #2 With this tank of fuel, you should only go to half-throttle for 2-3 seconds at a time. Keep doing this for as long as you have fuel in the tank. When done, repeat the same shut-off and cool-down steps as you did with the first tank of fuel.
- Tank #3 With this third tank of fuel, you should run for a 3 second count at half-throttle, and then brake. By now the engine should be beginning to loosen up a bit. You may have to adjust the idle down a touch. If your boat won't sit calmly when idling, turn down the idle speed by turning the idle adjustment counter clockwise. You no longer have to let your engine cool down between tanks of fuel.
- Tank #4 With tank 4, give your nitro radio controlled boat full throttle for a count of 3 seconds and then brake. If your boat has a multi-speed transmission, it may try to shift into another gear. If so, back off the throttle and then brake.
- Tank #5 Finally, tank 5. Now you will repeatedly accelerate to full throttle in 3 seconds, hold it for 2 seconds, and then brake. Done! Once you have used up this tank of fuel, you will have completed the break-in process.
Don't under-rate the importance of this process. Proper break-in of your nitro engine will ensure better performance at less expense! Can't beat that!
Remember, take care of your equipment, and you will be ensured years of rewarding performance!
Lynn McArthur is the author of articles on a variety of subjects. After researching information available on a given subject, she likes to share what she has learned with her audience. For more information on the Best Radio Controlled Boats [http://www.RadioControlledBoating.com], at incredible prices,she recommends visiting Radio Controlled Boats [http://www.RadioControlledBoating.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_McArthur
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Break-in-Your-RC-Boats-Nitro-Engine&id=2261293