What type of oil is everyone talking about when they say they oiled the engine after every flight? Are there different types? Can they be made or do you have to buy them from a hobby shop.

If you are thinking about "After run oil" you can either buy it or use ATF (automatic transmission fluid) or almost any light oil. Air tool oil is one of the favourites.

OTOH I've never heard of anyone oiling an engine after every flight. It's usually after each flying session, i.e. at the end of the day.

Steve

Hi tommy s,Steve pretty much answered your question,the fuel draws water like sponge,if after every day of starting the engine if all of the fuel is completely burned from the engine you may get by without using a after run oil,I use after run just in case I didn't use all the fuel in the engine

I know a lot of newer pilots that use after run after every day of flying. Seems dumb, but whatever. There is enough oil in the fuel to take care of it. I have never oiled one after flying. Never had a bad engine. I do use Marvel mystery oil if it is going to sit for a long time. I also use it after cleaning. It works great. I know there are probably better oils in peoples opinions, but I have been doing it this way for as long as I can remember, and it has always worked perfectly. Even used it to unstick an engine that got dumped in the lake by a friend and put away without cleaning for a long time. Didn't think it would ever turn again.

Tommy,

If your engine is a ball bearing engine, it's a good idea to put a few drops of oil in it after your done flying for the day, bushing engines are more tolerant of not oiling-they din't have steel ball bearings.
Alcohol in the fuel attracts water, the nitro can be acidic-not good for aluminum. Trans. fluid is good, Marvel Mystrey Oil is the best (IMHO). Available at your local xyz-mart.

Jetts

Here's a hint which has worked well for me over the years. When you're done flying for the day, start the engine, advance the throttle to full, point the nose of the airplane straight down so that the clunk is out of the remaining fuel in the tank and wait until the engine quits. It'll take only a few seconds. This burns all the raw fuel that's in the engine, so all that's left is the oil residue. Then, there really is no need to use an afterrun oil, although it doesn't hurt to do so. It's the raw fuel left in an engine that causes the rusting and corrosion problems.

Frank T.

After run oil is a good idea if properly done. It takes more than a few drops. If you are using any nitro in your fuel, there will be some residue in the crankcase (even if you run the engine dry) that can and will combine with water in the air to for an acid that will attack the bearings. You need to put enough oil in the engine to displace any gunk or residue left in the engine (at least a teaspoon full) then turn the prop over a few times with the nose low to distribute that oil over the surface of the bearings. A good after run oil is Rislone (the one in the yellow container) which is available at most auto parts stores, Walmart, etc. and it is much less expensive than after run oil from the hobby shop. Any air tool oil will also work well. Marvel mystery oil is not the best choice as it has little or no protection from moisture. Marvel mystery AIR TOOL oil is okay. After oil will definitely not hurt your engine but not using it may.

I have not used after run oil on a routine basis but I am careful to remove all fuel from the engine at the end of each day like Scale buff. However, I use a slightly different method. After my last flight of the day, I suck all of the fuel out of the tank with my fuel pump. I then restrain the airplane, open the throttle to full and start the engine. It typically runs for a few seconds and stops. I continue to start the engine until it will no long fire. Then I pack up and go home.

If I won't be back for a while, I will run some after run oil through the engine by squirting some down the carb barrel and flipping the prop over several times.

If I'm storing the engine for an extended time, I will additionally remove the glow plug and turn the engine over with a starter for a while to really distribute the oil completely and wipe down the externals of the engine with after run oil and put the entire engine in a zip lock bag.

i just look at filling my engines with after run oil as cheap insurance to keep rust at bay,and Marvel Mystery Oil has worked for me.

Bill

I use the same thing..
Marvel Mystery Oil