Satans_Phoenix

Hi,
I am getting a OS46 Fx engine which has done 50-flights , what do you think the price of it should be ?
2) what is an average life of OS enigne ( in hours and in no. of flights ) ?
3) what is likely to wear first in an OS 46FX engine ?
Thanks
phoenix

f2racer

I wouldn't offer any more than $60. There are about a dozen engines that are equals to the 46FX for about $70-80 new... At $110-120 new the OS was overpriced new...

stomper

My Feedback: (20)

Hey f2racer
I have a few OS46FX engines and one on one of my profile planes that has to have over 300 flights on It, and still go strong.

Doug

vinnie

My Feedback: (1)

Phoenix,
3) if possible check the cylinder liner for peeling. Whatever OS used, it has a habit of coming off.

2) excluding 3), a well-cared for .46fx will last quite a few seasons, depending on how much it's used, of course. At 50 flights it's just broken in.

1) $60-$65 sounds about right.

ShempHoward

My Feedback: (3)

Its very difficult to quote a price for a used 46FX in India where the actual retail new price may be quite a bit more than what we pay due to import taxes.

f2racer

I've got 2 myself. Good engine, terrible value. Both TT and Magnum have engines in the $70-80 range which are more or less comparable to the OS in every regard. If I'm going to spend $100+, I'd personally buy either a Webra 50 or MVVS 49. I bought one of my 46FXs used and won the other in a fun fly.

ramcharger

I have only owned one OS 46FX and it is over 5 yrs old and most of its flights are on a Dazzler. It has 300 to 400 flights at least. It is a benchmark engine. I measure my Webra 50 Speed/Kougar, Rossi 45 RE/Fun Design, MVVS 49/Aero Sport, OS 46 SF/Dazzler, Enya 50CX/ BelAir bipe and ST45 ring/4*40 against the OS 46FX. My OS 46FX will turn a 11x6 prop with 10% Cool Power at 12,500 to 13,000 rpm and its been doing it since day one. I have no problem with any of the engines however OS puts it all together; longevity, performance, and reliability. All of the engine above have been run for some time with a 11x6 prop except the OS 46SF and only the Webra 50 Speed and MVVS 49 will out rpm the FX. The OS 46SF can't match the FX even with a 11x5 prop.

hilleyja

My Feedback: (3)

I'm actually going to ignore the details of your question and ask you a question instead.

Why is the OS FX .46 virtually the most popular 40-size engine on the market? Everyone says that it is over-priced and you would be better off with the cheaper competitors?

Why do all of my FX .46s start on the 1st compression backflip after priming the carburetor?

Why haven't I had a single deadstick on an airplane with a OS FX .46 mounted on it?

BTW, I do own several of the cheaper competitors and have no problems with them. My TT .46pro is a rock-solid performer and gives me virtually the same performance as my OS FX 46s.

Is the OS FX .46 worth the money? Here's a repeat of my 1st question: Why is the OS FX .46 virtually the most popular 40-size engine on the market?

jsonin

My Feedback: (4)

Now that's a hellova post hilleja!

While I haven't owned a MVVS or Webra as f2racer has (I've seen him fly with them... very successfully), I have had fantastic experiences with the OS 46 series. I still have an OS 45 FSR from 1986 that runs like a top. JeffC has had two OS 46 FXs on an Easy Sport... that has 1200 flights on it. The first 46 seized at about 700 flights - and that was the very first time we've had any OS 46 seize. Any OS for that matter. OS replaced the engine - no joke (still under warranty).

I've got two OS 46s and a brand new 50 SX... I've had to get the sleeve replaced on the 50 after 9 months of use... whereas the 46s have gone through hell and back and run great.

You'll be all set with a 46. No worries.

-Juhan

rajul

My Feedback: (58)

Peeling liners ? Maybe 3 years ago but haven't heard of any problem with the new productions. The new ones have thicker nickel plating. OS has increased it from 10 to 15 um. Also there are two nickel layers instead of one. First layer has higher adhesion to the liner material. Second layer is stronger against abrasion. Info from OS Japan........

Lt. Dan

My Feedback: (21)

I've got two FX .46's and I love them. Never had a dead stick, never had a problem starting. Tons of power. I run an 11x7 on my hotrod and it screams.

rvd

hilleja is bang on with his post.

I currently own 2 46fx, .61fx, .61sf, 160fx, 60sr, and finally .65la.
I have never had a problem with these engines. There is a reason why O.S is the top engine manufacturer.
I also have thunderTiger Pro.46, GmS .47 , skyward .46, K&B's, super tigre 2300, g61 ,gs40 (k&b's and St are good reliable engines too) .

The fx engines are very reliable, more so than any other of those chinese made engines and please people don't write back stating I have to learn how to tune engines because believe me I do know.

everybody always has to justify that their cheap stuff is equal or better than the expensive stuff.

f2racer

You mean other than the fact that OS is distributed by the undisputed heavyweight champion of this wonderful hobbies distribution chain (Great Planes/Hobbico/Tower)?

No one is arguing that OS makes good stuff. I love both of my 46FXs, I just think that 46FX and some of their other models are overpriced. In terms of price point, Thunder Tiger really raised the bar with the "value" priced engines and their popularity in both my club and on this forum is a real testimate to what they've done to up the ante. I have four Pro-46 all of which I paid full price for. I wouldn't pay full price for the 46FX. To me if I'm going to shell out $120+, I'd prefer to go a little more exotic, which means European manufacturers.

adrian-RCU

os is great engines only problem is price, thats it. you can buy good even better for half the price, fact!!

hilleyja

My Feedback: (3)

A repeat and last entry for this subject.

If the OS FX .46 is so over-priced, why is it still virtually the most popular 40-sized engine on the market?

My personal HUMBLE opinion:

If I'm given a choice between a Thunder Tiger Pro .46 at around $85.00 and an OS FX .46 at around $115.00 and I can afford the OS I would choose the OS. I make this declaration even though I have a Thunder Tiger Pro .46 in an Ultra Sport and have upwards of a 100 flights on it with no problems. Was there a scientific analysis used to come up with that decision -- NO!!!. It is solely based on my experience with all of my OS engines from the lowly LA-15 to the FX 1.60 -- no problems with any of them.

My engine stable:

1) (2) OS LA .15s
2) (1) Magnum XL .15
3) (1) MDS .18
4) (2) K&B Sportster 20s
5) (2) OS FB .25s
6) (1) Magnum XL .25
7) (1) Magnum XL .28
8) (1) OS FB .35
9) (1) Webra Silverline .40
10) (1) MVVS .40 on pipe
11) (2) Thunder Tiger GP .42s
12) (1) Fox BBL .45
13) (3) OS FX .46s
14) (1) Thunder Tiger Pro .46
15) (1) OX SX .50
16) (1) OS SF .61
17) (1) OS LA .65
18) (1) MDS .68 (JUNK)
19) (1) OS FSR .70 Surpass
20) (1) Saito FA-72
21) (2) Saito FA-100s
22) (1) OS BX-1 1.08 (BEST ENGINE MADE???)
23) (1) Magnum XL 1.20 (JUNK)
24) (2) OS FX 1.60s
25) (1) Moki 1.80
26) (1) Zenoah G-23
27) (1) Super Tiger ST-3000

The above list certainly would not break any engine ownership records but does lend me with just a little bit of legitimacy for my HUMBLE opinion.

edge_fanatic

My Feedback: (4)

present your list to my wife as evidence that I don't indeed have too many engines, and am falling way behind....

stomper

My Feedback: (20)

Hey Hilleja
How do you like the Saito 100, do you have either mounted inverted?
Thanks

Doug

hilleyja

My Feedback: (3)

After finally figuring out that Saito set the lowspeed needle extremely rich and adjusting it over 2 turns this engine is a dream. I will be mounting it inverted in a U-Can-Do 3D in the next few days -- flying when weather man lets me.

shaun1

Notice!,
I have had an OS 40 Fx and have had nothing but trouble with it, I bought mine as used but knew the running history of it. Within less than a year I have had 3 new piston and liners and it is ready for a 4th. At the moment OS are changing there method of plating and some are a bit dodgy. Quite a few people are having the same problem. There are good ones and bad ones so be warned.

Shaun

Soniq7

My 46FX is the "Go To" power for 40 size airframes. I've used the same engine on everything from pattern to funfly to Q500. Always reliable. I lost it to radio failure on the last burn...

Resurection is possible.

I would buy another.

S7

PS. My dog is trained to kill...

ShempHoward

My Feedback: (3)

If you are ready for your 4th piston and liner on any engine I thinks its time you either learn how to properly operate the engine or give the hobby up and start collecting stamps or butterflies.

hilleyja

My Feedback: (3)

I would be surprised to hear from just one person with that problem today. When OS had a liner problem a few years ago they tackled it and solved it.

I would guess that your USED engine had more than a liner and piston problem -- maybe a bent conrod or crank shaft or your running that engine to the extreme lean setting consistently.

rsieminski

I've never had a .46 fx, but I do have a 32sx, and 15la. Other than the crappy carb on the la, I've had great luck with them. They both start 1st flip after a prime, and don't often deadstick. I also have 4 magnum xls's, 5 MDS's, a TH .46, and an ASP. I have never had any "real" problems with any of them. IMO, OS is #1 because they are easy to setup, the nickle sleeve breaks in real easy, decent power, QC is consistent, and the big shops push them. But, OS is not the only good, strong engine on the mkt. If I wanted a no brainer, easy to set up, reliable, strong .46, I'd get another Magnum. But the choice is yours, OS is just more expensive IMO.

Shemp,
"....give the hobby up and start collecting stamps or butterflies"
LOL, too funny! Maybe collect burnt sleeves?

Too many condemn a mfg because their best friend's, cousin's, brother in law, had lots of dead sticks, or had nothing but trouble with X brand. Most of it comes down to tuning, or improper oil % in the fuel. I it's a real problem, send it back.

AWACS

Just a thought on this and what quite a few OLD timers have told me about the Thunder Tiger engines...they said they all run NO more than 10 percent in theirs and have had NO problems whatsoever because of this...always like hearing actual guys that have ran the engine themselves over and over...but will say they all like my os46fx engine and have had nothing but praise about this engine. I am fixing to buy another one for my t34 mentor I just bought. I can get the engine for $98 bucks at my LHS...gotta luv discounts!!! So even with the old timers saying that about the TT...i am getting the O.S. for 20 bucks more and definately don't mind paying a bit extra...I am a NOOB so don't go Cruicifying me for posting my NOOOBIAN wisdom...but I guess it is like beer....everyone has their favorite brand!!! Mich Light for me : ) and an O.S. 46fx on the side haha