Ok I bet I'm going to get pounded for this one. I have myself convinced that even running on the same fuel some engines smell different from others. For example I think older Enyas have a certain odor. I also think four strokes smell much different compared to two strokes. What do you think am I just sniffing too much Co?

Don't know ........... but old saying goes .............. Skunk smells his own hole first !!

Each engine burns fuel differently. It makes sense to me. Needle adjustments will alter the smell.

Different fuels will smell slightly different too. The nitromethane and oil used help with the smell. But I agree different engines can smell different.

Obviously I can't apply any hard science here but I bet if the cynics reading this fired up one of their old Enyas etc they'd be saying to themselves: "Man the crazy old fart is right!"

Maybe you should do a poll and see how many did it?

They also sell assorted additives that can add a nice smell to your exhaust too.
Cherry, Apple, Banana, Tropical Fruit, etc.
I bought some, but I haven't tried it out yet.

OK so call me mean but , if I could flavor my exhaust , I'd want the aroma of "LIPO flambe" or maybe even "stink of smoked outrunner" just to see the reactions at the field

PS Earl , Nice review I saw you do on the A38 .

I'm a weirdo and use all castor goo in my fuel so most of my engines smell the same. 2-strokes smell different than 4-strokes but that's the only difference I smell.

Any additives that have a " Whacky Tobacky " scent ?

Thanks.


I like the new engine smell, when you run that first fuel tank of fuel through them. The engines all have that unique new engine smell to them.

I think it's the different temps that different engines run at. Fuel mixture would play a big part in the smell. I think I'm breathing in to many fu m e ssssss

I use the same methanol, nitro and oil in all my engines. Oil % is different, but my 2 and 4 strokes smell the same.

Careful Earl, I bought some "Christmas" scented smoke oil for my model trains and got so sick from the smell of it I may have done some permanent damage. Hahaha

So do I. But being 4-strokes more completely burn the fuel, they should have a different exhaust smell than a 2-stroke.

OK. I fly 4 strokes mostly, but will take more notice next time I run a 2 stroke. Interesting.

Maybe I'm weird, maybe not. Both of my 4-cycles have a distinct smell that seems very different than the 2-strokes. Granted, I don't run much nitro in most of my engines so I don't know if that may be why I notice such a difference. I know the combustion process is hotter in a 4-stroke so it would make sense that the oil coming from the exhaust is hotter is more of it is burning versus a 2-stroke that tends to spit more unburned fuel out the exhaust. I am curious to hear what you find out.

You're right, they do. Kind of like they are burning.

There's a place in Colorado that makes it. I can't remember the name right now. I think I saw the ad in Model Aviation.

What will they come up with next?

try putting your after shave in a tank of fuel it will smell good

Will it attract female modelers ? LOL

Running the same fuel in my 2-strokes and a 4-stroke, the 4-stroke definitely smells different. I think it smells sweet. I like to do touch & go's and smell that exhaust drifting by me.

My buddy and I frankensteined an engine together - I wonder if it'll smell differently. We may very well call it an FDX, - Fox case, crank, rod, carb, and MDS .40 piston/liner, cylinder head, and a homemade wristpin and retainer. It may end up smelling like a mix of cheeseburgers and pizza, and Guinness flavored vodka. Had to shim the outside of the liner .005" for a snug fit and it so happened a Guinness beer can is .005". Half of it made in the USA and the other half in Russia with a dash of Ireland. LOL.

No Guinness beer was sacrificed in the production of this high quality model engine.

Beer and soft drink cans are good shim material.