For models that are not flown regularly how often do you run the engines
10-01-2018, 01:10 PM
#1
Thread Starter
For models that are not flown regularly how often do you run the engines
For your gas powered models that are not flown often, say every 4 - 6 months or so, how often if ever do you give the engines a run to keep them in good nick.
Last edited by karolh; 10-01-2018 at 04:05 PM.
10-01-2018, 04:05 PM
#4
My Feedback: (19)
I never run my engines that are in storage in airframes. If an airplane sets a long time, like two years or so I will inspect everything on the engine including the carburetor and rebuild that if necessary. Many times though carbs that have set for several years just get opened, inspected and reassembled as they don’t require any parts. One reason I like gas engines is they require almost zero maintenance between uses. Very unlike glow engines where the bearings keep on rusting away while the engine sits unused. I do use ethanol free gas though which may lengthen the maintenance intervals.
10-01-2018, 04:10 PM
#5
Thread Starter
This is exactly what I do but at possibly at 4 month intervals and just long enough for them to warm up. Was wondering if I was just wasting my time doing so but then maybe that's why my engines seldom give me any starting issues when its time to go flying.
10-01-2018, 04:15 PM
#6
Thread Starter
I never run my engines that are in storage in airframes. If an airplane sets a long time, like two years or so I will inspect everything on the engine including the carburetor and rebuild that if necessary. Many times though carbs that have set for several years just get opened, inspected and reassembled as they don’t require any parts. One reason I like gas engines is they require almost zero maintenance between uses. Very unlike glow engines where the bearings keep on rusting away while the engine sits unused. I do use ethanol free gas though which may lengthen the maintenance intervals.
10-01-2018, 04:38 PM
#7
My Feedback: (19)
When running ethanol fuel and prolonged storage is planned, some people use an after run fuel such as some of the premixed fuels you can buy in a can. They pump out the regular fuel from the tank and pump in some of this non-ethanol fuel for a short run. This gets any ethanol that might cause corrision out of the carburetor. For normal day to day or week to week use though that routine would not be necessary. From corresponding with a number of people, I believe some of the fuels around the country have far worse components in them than ethanol. Again it is just a maintenance issue.
10-02-2018, 04:48 AM
#8
Thread Starter
I have been using regular pump 90 octane ethanol blended (E10) gasoline to which I add an ethanol stabilizer additive for the past 5 years with no adverse effects and have not noticed any difference in the performance of my engines.
10-10-2018, 04:12 PM
#9
I only run mine when I plan to fly them. If they set more than 6 months they get a good going over before they go in the trailer. Other than that they set with fuel in them but I do pump out the old fuel and put fresh fuel in before flying if it's been more than a month since flown
