4 Stroke Glowplugs
#1

I've been away from the hobby for 7-8 years...getting back to it again.
Used to the OS 'F' was about the best glow-plug out there for four stroke engines.
Is that still a good thought or are there other ideas to consider?
I'm just wanting to have the same fun you are!
Used to the OS 'F' was about the best glow-plug out there for four stroke engines.
Is that still a good thought or are there other ideas to consider?
I'm just wanting to have the same fun you are!
#2

I use Fox idle bar, Enya 3, McCoy MC59, and I've used an OS F plug. Enya #3 and Fox idle bar gave me the best performance on 5% nitro fuel in my Enya 4-strokes. Idle speeds down to 1,400rpm without glow assistance. Realistically that's too low of an idle speed but that it was capable was nice to see.
Last edited by 1QwkSport2.5r; 12-14-2013 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Changed wording.
#7

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There are several good fourstroke plugs, the GloDevil 4c Special, the Taipan 4 stroke plug, the Fox Miracle may be the best all around work in anything plug, the Saito SS is a very good plug..
#10

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I have gone through most of those plugs over the years until I bought my first YS and tried the YS plug. That's all I use now in any of my 4 strokes. It seems to last longer and run better even when rich. http://www.centralhobbies.com/glow/glowplug.html
#11

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The YS and Thunder Tiger 4 stroke plugs are made by OS.
Love the way the advertisement for the YS 4 stroke plug linked above shows an OS A3 as it's product illustration.
Love the way the advertisement for the YS 4 stroke plug linked above shows an OS A3 as it's product illustration.
Last edited by fiery; 12-04-2013 at 05:16 PM.
#13

I noticed that too. It's easy to tell what plugs are rebranded and which ones aren't. Hangar 9 = McCoy, YS = OS, etc.
Last edited by 1QwkSport2.5r; 12-14-2013 at 12:13 PM. Reason: Changed wording.
#14

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Whatever plug Saito puts in the box with their new engines seems to be a winner. I'm not sure who the manufacturer is. I doubt that Saito is making their own plugs, but maybe. I have also had good results with Enya #3 and OS F plugs. I plan to try a Fox idle bar plug in my 4-strokes but have not yet.
#17

There are equal or better alternatives to almost anything OS makes for a better price. Yes OS stuff works, but for the price they ask and the performance I got with them... Just my opinion.
Last edited by 1QwkSport2.5r; 12-14-2013 at 12:17 PM. Reason: Changed wording.
#20
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Not a single person in this thread has said that. We get it already.. you don't like OS and need to keep attempting to insult people who have good things to say about their engines. There are very good reasons why OS has "fans". With very few exceptions you know that there is good quality control and their stuff works. My experience with engines is that puts them in a minority as most manufacturers are all over the place and it's a crap-shoot if their engine will be a dog or a winner.
#21

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I've had excellent service from the OS plug. They last forever and the only reason I fit a new one is because I can't remember the least time I changed it and think it must be about time.
I haven't used the other brands so can't comment there, but I see no reason to change if I don't have a problem.
As for the OS haters, most of them think that if there is a cheaper engine out there it is just as good and that OS are ripping them off.
They forget that OS put in all the R and D to get a good reliable engine and then it gets copied by companies who don't have to do the R and D.
Ultimately they end up with an inferior product. If it wasn't for companies like OS, there wouldn't be the cheap copies anyway as they would have nothing to copy.
I haven't used the other brands so can't comment there, but I see no reason to change if I don't have a problem.
As for the OS haters, most of them think that if there is a cheaper engine out there it is just as good and that OS are ripping them off.
They forget that OS put in all the R and D to get a good reliable engine and then it gets copied by companies who don't have to do the R and D.
Ultimately they end up with an inferior product. If it wasn't for companies like OS, there wouldn't be the cheap copies anyway as they would have nothing to copy.
#22

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The OS fanboys always pimp OS glow plugs, engines, blah blah blah.
... and don't call me fanboy. It's demeaning and marginalizes my experiences - and it pisses me off. I'm not pimping anything. I pay for my stuff just like you and have nothing to gain from the success or failure of OS.
Bill
Last edited by wjvail; 12-05-2013 at 06:40 AM.
#23

It has been a long time since I have done much tuning of a four stroke. The OS F is popular because it is one of the hottest 4 stroke plugs out there, but unless you are using very low nitro fuel it is too hot for the best performance. It's also not the hottest, the Thunderbolt 4 stroke plug was the hottest plug I found and perfect for no nitro or 5% nitro. The OS plug is good for 5% and 10% nitro. The next hottest is the Fox miricle plug and good for 10% and 15% fuel. The coldest was the K&B 4C which is good for 20% and higher nitro. All gave a good idle though the K&B did not on the lower nitro fuel. I had no luck using no 4 cycle plugs including Fox idle bar and Enya #3, they lost too much heat at idle and could not get both a low idle and good transition, but other engines may work fine with them. I used these on an older OS .91 Surpass, .91 TT, and a .30 Magnum, but only an OS and Fox four stroke plugs in the latter.
#24
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OS does seem to draw more than its fair share of haters. I think drac1 nailed it- there are so many guys who think they are getting ripped off by buying the top tier products. They are the same guys who want Hobby King radios and servos because Hitec and Futaba are ripping them off too. OS makes a good product and they support it. In 4 strokes, the only engines that are as good or better are Saito, YS, and Laser. All cost more or the same as OS. In 2 strokes, Thunder Tiger is often presented as "just as good" since they are essentially copies of older OS designs. But their needle valve is a cheaper design and more prone to leaking than the OS is. The only engines that are truly as well made or better than OS are about the same price or more expensive- Jett, Fox (IMO), YS, Rossi, and maybe a couple of others.
#25

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It has been a long time since I have done much tuning of a four stroke. The OS F is popular because it is one of the hottest 4 stroke plugs out there, but unless you are using very low nitro fuel it is too hot for the best performance. It's also not the hottest, the Thunderbolt 4 stroke plug was the hottest plug I found and perfect for no nitro or 5% nitro. The OS plug is good for 5% and 10% nitro. The next hottest is the Fox miricle plug and good for 10% and 15% fuel. The coldest was the K&B 4C which is good for 20% and higher nitro. All gave a good idle though the K&B did not on the lower nitro fuel. I had no luck using no 4 cycle plugs including Fox idle bar and Enya #3, they lost too much heat at idle and could not get both a low idle and good transition, but other engines may work fine with them. I used these on an older OS .91 Surpass, .91 TT, and a .30 Magnum, but only an OS and Fox four stroke plugs in the latter.
As i said in my earlier post, they last forever.