Saito 150 Problems
 

I'm was going to purchase a Saito 150, but read some threads regarding backfiring and early bearing failure. Has anyone had these problems or any other with the newer Saito 150? Thank you.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Four strokes backfire when they are too lean. Run them a little rich and there is no problems with a Saito 150. Saito had a run of new engines where they left the shields on the rear bearing causing poor lubrication to the cam gear and front bearings. The 150 I picked up last week had the shields removed from the bearing so I guess they have corrected the problem.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Thank you very much,I just purchased the Saito 150.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Saito had some of their earlier production engines that were a really high compression ratio. This caused some backfiring in some circumstances. In subsequent models, they ran a lower compression ratio, which made them easier to run/tune without the same worry of backfiring. I have one of the later models which I think has a "G" stamp on the mounting flange. I don't know what letter they are stamping on the current production engines. ("A" indicates first production model, B, C, etc.) Beautiful engines!

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

I have 2 Saito 150 and haven't had any real problems with either. One was an earlier version mentioned above and I "tamed" its handling by installing a decompression shime made by C&H Electronics. It takes about 30 mins do instal and has really improved its running characteristics. Since I had an extra shim lying around, I installed it in my newer 150 and will test fly it next weekend to see if it smooths-out the newer series engine also.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Thanks for the information.Let me know how you make out this weekend with the shim in the new 150.I was just in the C&H web site.I have a list of their shims,but I don't know what size the 150 requires?You said it takes 30 minutes to install a shim.Where can I find instructions to install this shim?

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

ace, unless you have one that is 11 or 12 years old, you'll not need the shim. And besides, the high compression issue was not a big deal. In fact one good thing is the old high compression one I have will run happily on 5% nitro. But runs really well on 15%, you just can't let it get lean.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Acep51, regarding the right size for the shim just call them up and ask for the shime for the 150. Instructions for installing comes w/ it.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Hello N55340, I had problems with my Saito 150. It sound like that "shield" on the bearing might have been the problem. Are you talking about the thin, flat,metal or fiber ring that covers the bearings?? They told me a different story..... but many people doubted when I repeated they told me. They said a new, thick break in grease that Saito was using was causing the problems. (It aslo had a bad carb.... the first problem out of the box). They replaced the carb the FIRST return to IL, then the bearings and the crank on the second trip. My 150 spent more time in the "Brown Truck" then it did in the air!!! :D Horizon is VERY good about their warrany on the Saito engines. It is just the down time and shipping cost to them that is a hassle.
Since the repair it has been a "Saito as usual"!!! Even with initial problems..... I still love my Saitos. The 3 I have now will start with one back flip of the prop with a chicken stick.

PS.... Another thing I see no excuse for on Saito engines out of the box, is bad settings on the valve clearance. Out of the 4 Saitos I've owned ..... only ONE, I felt, had acceptable settings. One engine had a clearance of .010 on one of the valves !! (.002 to .004 is the required setting). Before running....... I would suggest at least checking the valves..... then reset them after the initial break in, or one hour of running. (the latter being from the Saito manual) .......... lownslo.......

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

I hope I have better luck then you Iownslo.This is my first Saito. I have always used OS engines over the years and never had a problem.It is a shame, that for the bucks we pay and they can't even get the valves set correctly leaving the factory.Thanks for the information.My Saito 150 should arrive next week,and I shall see how it works.

RE: Saito 150 Problems
 

Well, I did 6 flights on the Saito 150 powered Bucker today and the engine performed fine w/ the decompression shim installed. Frankly, couldn't tell the difference between the "before and after" on this engine, but performance was just as good as before.