Learning never stops....fun with button heads
02-04-2012, 05:48 PM
#1
Learning never stops....fun with button heads
In the six weeks I've engaged in 'the hobby', I've tried to learn a little bit every day. Today I learned something...I'm confident most of you know this, but for newbies this might help.
I finally ordered a con rod for my VX-18 engine (thanks to Proanti for the link) and decided to install and fire it up.After taking apart the engine, cleaning iall the pieces, re-installing the clutch assembly I mounted the VX-18.
Actions:
1. In trying to start the engine, I blew out a glow plug.
2. I eventually got it started with a new glow plug, and on second tank (1/4 throttle figure eights) it stopped. Glow plug blew out again. ***??
3. I determined that I was losing compression (as there was a little nitro on that leaked out) and checked my gasket. During the re-build, I decided to place thehead gasketshimfrom the existing engine onto the piston sleeve as this engine does not have an removable button head. It turns out that simply 'placing' the gasket on the piston sleeve and mounting the head is not enough.
4.Recall I used the existing gasket (which looked precise to me).Turns out undereath the heat sink head a button head. The existing gasket did not fit perfectlyon the this, which is why I was losing compression, thus heating the engine, thus blowing plugs. So...I fabricated the gasket with an exacto knife, and now she runs like a champ.
What I learned:
1. Head gaskets must fit PERFECTLY. There is zero room for error.
2. If you consitently blow glow plugs, ensure you are not running too lean. If your needles are stock settings (and you've modified the engine) check for any air leaks.
As mentioned, I'm sure most of you know all this (and this post is mostly in vain), but I love the fact that each day I am learning more and more about these 2-stroke engines....and I am not afraid to experiment to learn....as it's the only way to learn.
I finally ordered a con rod for my VX-18 engine (thanks to Proanti for the link) and decided to install and fire it up.After taking apart the engine, cleaning iall the pieces, re-installing the clutch assembly I mounted the VX-18.
Actions:
1. In trying to start the engine, I blew out a glow plug.
2. I eventually got it started with a new glow plug, and on second tank (1/4 throttle figure eights) it stopped. Glow plug blew out again. ***??
3. I determined that I was losing compression (as there was a little nitro on that leaked out) and checked my gasket. During the re-build, I decided to place thehead gasketshimfrom the existing engine onto the piston sleeve as this engine does not have an removable button head. It turns out that simply 'placing' the gasket on the piston sleeve and mounting the head is not enough.
4.Recall I used the existing gasket (which looked precise to me).Turns out undereath the heat sink head a button head. The existing gasket did not fit perfectlyon the this, which is why I was losing compression, thus heating the engine, thus blowing plugs. So...I fabricated the gasket with an exacto knife, and now she runs like a champ.
What I learned:
1. Head gaskets must fit PERFECTLY. There is zero room for error.
2. If you consitently blow glow plugs, ensure you are not running too lean. If your needles are stock settings (and you've modified the engine) check for any air leaks.
As mentioned, I'm sure most of you know all this (and this post is mostly in vain), but I love the fact that each day I am learning more and more about these 2-stroke engines....and I am not afraid to experiment to learn....as it's the only way to learn.
