RE: AVOID THIS ENGINE AT ALL COST!!!!!
 

OK ... should have been more clear ... I tossed it in the trash after repeated attemts to get my LHS and/or Megatech to refund my money ... I used alcohol and high temp lock tight ... tried using silicon tape (plumbers tape) ... after all I went through, I just gave up ... bought an OS 46 FX ... should have done that in the first place ... And yes, I did toss the POS Megatech in the trash after it sat on my work bench for 7 months.

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i agree that the .46 fx is a great choice, it has been a great engine since i bought it to replace the POS .46 LA hat died every other flight.

RE: AVOID THIS ENGINE AT ALL COST!!!!!
 

Engine Problems.
Engines seem to be my first weakness. Seem to have more engines than planes, and don’t have enough room for the planes.
Hate to contradict any of the posts, but don’t understand most.
I had so many dead stick landings when I started this hobby, I was almost afraid to land with the engine running.
The problem? #1. I didn’t know how to properly tune one. #2. Junk glow plugs from a garage sale.
Life got good, when a couple “Old Timers”, showed me how to properly tune the engine, and I ran out of the old glow plugs.
With the exception of the four strokes, these things are about as simple as it gets!
Most are just copies of each other. Other than the type of bearings, and maybe metal, they are the same.

First of all - break in that new engine! Out of the box, it is going to be so tight, that it will quit about the time you get into the air.

Next problem. Find someone who can help you tune it. * The directions came with the engine but no one reads them.*

Air leaks. Bad gaskets, “O Rings,” holes in the fuel line, and foaming fuel from improperly mount fuel tanks, will cover about 90% of the problems. Don’t junk a good engine over a 10 cent O ring, or bad fuel line. Check for loose screws - Pad the fuel tank. They can shift in the plane. Just because it worked one time, doesn’t mean it will work, if the foam shifted.

Most air leaks can be fixed for no money, unless you have broken the case, or carb.

Of course a little dirt in the fuel will give you problems.

Engine starts, and then gives you problems? Try another glow plug, Just because it turns red, is no indication that it works properly.

Sorry guys! A Little tender loving care, and these things will outlive us, unless you run them into a brick wall, or use them to dig post holes. Doesn’t matter what brand, or even the ones from some ones junk pile.

RE: AVOID THIS ENGINE AT ALL COST!!!!!
 

Gentlemen (Ladies of any),

I have been buying, starting and flying two strokes for almost fifty years and it's difficult to name a "bad" engine. Let's face it, our hobby engines have become so reliable and powerful that we are all spoiled.
All engines are at least mediocre. There however are some overlooked or almost handmade engines that are truely superior.
One overlooked engine, particularly in the US is the enya. I have a four stroke 120 that is completely reliable and powerful, always runs well regardless of weather. Except for the design flaw of putting the pushrods in the rear and the glow facing the prop so you must use a remote glow starter, the engine is magnificent. It also looks better with the pushrods in the rear. I also read that the engine used on the model that flew across the Atlantic and landed in Ireland (I believe) was a four stroke enya 120 modified to run gas. I also have been impressed with the power output, reliability and quality of the following in order of best to less: Jett 40L,ys 91 -ys53, Rossi 45 and 60,
piped os 61 long stroke, os46x, os32f, enya 60x, and the ultimate for reliability- a os 91 four stroke. I had it on a sea plane and crashed it. Pulled it out of the water, didn't take it apart. Let it sit for three years, have never cleaned or put after run oil in it, never changed the glow plug, never filtered the fuel, never reset the needle valve even if I change the kind of fuel I'm running, never ajusted the overhead valve clearance and that damn thing just keeps on going. It is about eight years old, and I abuse it just to see how much it can take.

Thanks for reading my ramblings,
joekkdd

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Maynard Hill's record setting transAtlantic flying TAM 5 was powered by a vintage O.S. 61 four-stroke engine. The engine was modified and are equipped with electronic ignition and a spark plug and it was run on Coleman lantern fuel.

http://tam.plannet21.com/index.htm

RE: AVOID THIS ENGINE AT ALL COST!!!!!
 

OS .46LA put it through the ringer and it never gives up! Not a powerhouse but if you dont want deadstick landings and reliable easy starting, tuning, get it.

Rossi .45, .53 If you want power look no place else. My only gripe is tuning, some engines are just plain finicky but oh my god what a great powerhouse

Evolution .60 Decided to try it, having trouble getting the low end right, still hesitates a bit when throtling up, any suggestions would be appreciated.

HP Gold cup .40 For weight to thrust ratio, this engine has been unbelievable and if you are looking for the lighest engine with the most power look no further.

HP Gold cup .60 Good engine but not as powerful as the .40 when comparing thrust to weight.

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Think I recall someone at the field having problems with an Evolution, but it wasn’t a 60.
They took the baffle out of the muffler and solved the problem. Worth a look.
It is also possible that they fixed something else while tinkering with it, and didn't know it --
You might also try a different glow plug, sometimes a new plug works wonders ---
Let us know if you find a solution -

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I have owned both an LA .40 & .46, and a close friend has a .40 & 3 .46s (silly lad). Of those six engines, only my .40 has never flamed out. One of my friend's .46s has literally never run through a full tank of fuel in flight -- it quit every single time. It is now a spare parts supply. I also had a .46 FX that flamed out often enough to be a serious annoyance.

We both have been modelling all our lives -- we both know how to tune engines -- I no longer own any OS engines, & I no longer have trouble.

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if you had a .46 fx that flamed out on you a lot you are obviously doing something wrong.

RE: AVOID THIS ENGINE AT ALL COST!!!!!
 

So 5 out of 6 OS engines had problems. OK!!!!!!!!!:)

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maybe it's his karma, but i have never met anyone in person who has had an FX perform like that, and the only OS engine i have ever had act that way was that fateful LA. i sold that LA over four years ago and bought an FX, and all i hvae to do is fuel it up and start it and it kicks on almost instantly and it does not care if it is warmed up or not, i the weather is 100 degres or misty and cool, it simply has not needed adjustment.

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The FX problems stem from that @#$%^&* rear neadle valve assembly. It is a crappy design & a problem waiting to happen.

The primary pressure drop occurs at the needle, as per normal, but the fuel is not flowing directly into the throttle bore at that point, as it does in a conventional carb. The pressue is therefore reduced in the fuel delivery line to the carb, plus the line friction causes an additional pressure drop. Furthermore, the pressure falls in the throttle bore (normal), but this also lowers the pressure in the delivery line --- the result of all of these pressure losses is a tendency for the fuel to flash in the delivery line (boil -- form bubbles). It is exacerbated by high ambient temps and vibration that promotes flashing at nucleation points (irregularities) in the internal bore of the fuel line. All of these additive pressure losses & flashing promoters result in the erratic fuel delivery that is characteristic of these remote needle designs. The engine may run OK on the bench, but the problems tend to appear some time into a flight when the fuel level has fallen in the tank, thus lowering the head-pressure in the tank.

Most FXs at our club are erratic performers, as are the rear-needle GMS & Tower engines.

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Sorry -- double post

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OS 46 FX is an incredible engines......if you are having problems with them is is of your own accord or your a rep. for the competition. Run strong...not finicky..start right away. Wonder why OS stopped making them? Oh cause they lasted forever...unlike what will happen to the plastic needle valved replacement.

I also have couple of LA's and they are okay with the exception to the crappy plastic crank covers and plastic needle valve housings......OS planned this well.....

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I'll agree that the FX starts quickly & is very powerfull, but for the rest of it -- flame-outs, peeling liners, expensive to buy & very expensive to repair ---- incredible all right. The old SF series were great engines & I owned a bunch of them, but the FX & LA series are a different matter altogether. I hope that the AX is a lot better -- I might buy an OS again if it is.

As for being a rep for the competition -- I own 11 engines from five different manufacturers & only the Tower 46 is trouble (another rear needle valve), but it is so cheap that I don't have high expectations from it.


-- and of course I don't know how to tune an engine, I've only been doing this for more than 50 yrs.

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OS fixed the problem with the liners peeling several years ago. i have never had the problem myself or know anyone personally who has. the FX and SX engines are extremely popular at my field, people run them and run them hard. not a single burnt liner.

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Whaddaya expect for $55! And to say to avoid this engine is.......well.......bluntly........BS! OS has some of the best engines going - not only for power but just as importantly - dependability. Ya can't expect this engine to perform like a FX or SX version and if you buy it for that reason then.......bluntly.......you really screwed up!

As stated in this thread - the OS 40 LA is basically an inexpensive way for someone starting out to get their trainer in the air - and that's about it. A bargain - you bet it is. Why? Because it serves the purpose for which it was designed and for those countless thousands that started in the hobby and then decided not to stick with it or for those that trashed their first trainer - they were not out megga bucks in the process.

The only reason I am even responding to this post is so others starting out with a 40 size trainer don't go out and spend more $$$ than they need to thinking that you know what you're talking about.

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Pushrodz,
i have said this a million times, but why spend the $55 on the LA, when you could spend that $55 on a tt pro.46? it's just like the fx in performance, and costs roughly half. it beats the LA in performance in every respect therefore, that makes the LA a rip-off, not a bargain.

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Royal .46..... JUNK!
Super Tiger .90 2 stroke Tons of power- Ran pretty good...Too many dead stick landings

All I'll buy in a 2 stroke is OS...

270

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Not sure where you shop, but according to the Tower site, the .40 LA is ~$60 and the TT .46 pro is ~$80. For someone on a limited budget, they are at different price points.

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i am referring to my LHS, but they were not identical in price. they were about $10 difference, and for that extra $10, the performance gap is astronomical. for such a serious investement, i figure the $10 is neglidgable (sp?)

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Worst engine ever made, OS160 hands down.

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My goodness, this is still going on.

The TT .42 GP is a much closer equivalent (often cheaper) in price to the the OS .40 LA than is the TT .46 Pro, and the .42 GP still offers a very big advantage in power over the .40 LA. Both the LA & the TT were compared in a side-by-side test (along with a number of other 40-sized motors) in the March 2001 issue of MAN. The OS .40 LA is advertised at 1.0 HP (no advertised torque rating) & it actually developed 0.78 HP & 63 oz-in of torque. The TT .42 GP is advertised at 1.1 HP (no torque figure advertised) & it developed 1.11 HP & 70 oz-in of torque. The TT turned a 10-6 APC @ 13,000 RPM & the OS turned the same prop @ 12,100 RPM.

Additionally, the TT has its metal needle valve in the carb (where it should be), while the OS has its plastic needle valve bracketed onto its plastic back-plate. The TT is also 0.1 oz lighter, & has no history of peeling its cylinder liner.

The TT .42 GP actually makes more power than the OS .46 LA (1.2 HP advertised, 0.96 actual) & is a fair bit cheaper than that.

Not much of a contest.

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Hi everbody

My first time on RCU forums... looks pretty dang good..
After a loooooong seperation for RC'n (21 years!) I'm finally back in the saddle with this most super hobby..

Still have a bird and a new Futaba radio but need another A/C plus a new engine. Am thinking of going ARF, and would like your input about Vmax ARF and engines . Any comment? Good ,bad or whatever. Thanks guys..........Bill

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Bill the Pilot:

Do a search on "Vmar" and you will find many posts about them, the majority condemning the Vmar planes as trash. Some people have been happy with them.

The Vtec engines seem OK though.

Bill.