Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

Guys, I know I need to be posting this elsewhere, most probably, so if one of the moderators wants to move it, that`s fine. I`ve no experience with 4 strokes but am coming into an OS 52 FS with a plane I`m buying. It runs really well and I`d like to keep it so. I`d be greatly appreciative if anyone could/would point me in the right direction for basic care. Thanks much in advance.

RE: Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

I burn 15% Cool Power, other than that I don't do anything special to my 4-strokes. About the only thing I am cautious about is to NOT run them lean. They don't like that.

RE: Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

Some tips:

Burn off all fuel in engine after done flying.

Add afterrun oil into the crankcase via the vent to lube the bearings and prevent them from rusting out early on you. Coolpower has no castor oil in it and the synthetic oil won't put a protective coat on the bearings like castor does.

Add 3 oz of castor to Coolpower or any other 100% synthetic oil fuel. This small amount of castor won't cause any castor oil buildup problems but give you a little extra protection in the long run.

Run your engine about 400 rpm rich of max lean rpm-verify with a tach.

Every season or every 6 months if you fly all year round, check the valve lash and adjust as necessary.

Every season or every 6 months if you fly all year round, check the tightness of all of your bolts on the engine.

RE: Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

Forget the castor its old school ,not needed, move on to the modern age. use 15% synthetic and run it a little rich, you'll never have any problems.

RE: Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

I'm like Minn Flyer. I burn Cool Power 15% and don't do anything else. DON'T run them lean. I've been doing this for years and have never had to do anything else to any of them. I have one Saito 80 that has well over 1000 flights (it's outlasted a number of planes) on it without a hitch.

Rich

RE: Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Think I might see if OS will be kind enough to send me some info as well.

Andy

RE: Basic Care and Feeding Of A 4 Stroke
 

I run 10% with an oil content of 20%. I always run fuel with castor in it. Usually 4 or 5% castor 2 stroke fuel. I have Saito's from a 45 to 120's. i have no problems. I also believe that Saito reccomends some castor in thier instructions. It is personal preference, i like castor. The reccomendations on running rich is absolutely right. 4 strokers don't like lean runs. You can cause damage easily on a very lean run. Just be careful with your settings. I set mine and forget it. If it is very hot and dry or cold and wet I may have to adjust the high speed needle only a few clicks. I rarely adjust my needles once set. Go ahead and get you Os and enjoy it.

Mark Shuman