Starting A Nitro Engine That's Been Sitting
 

Hey guys, I have a question regarding starting a nitro engine that's been sitting around for awhile.
So I finally got to working on my Duratrax 835B after 3 years and I'm getting ready to fire up the engine. It still has good compression and is in really good shape from the inside. I will be using 20% fuel, so is there any precautions I need to take before starting it up? Or can I just go at it and work on re tuning it?

Also I have a Losi XXX-NT on the way, and I don't know how long that engine has been sitting or what condition it is in, I may try and start it up but first I have to wait till it gets here.

Get the engine turning freely before doing anything. I'd take the carb off and soak the whole thing in a small cup of methanol or fuel for 20 minutes and make sure the passages are clear of oil residue. Reassemble, change the glow plug, and get after it. If the engine turns over rough and gritty, change the bearings before running it or you'll likely ruin the piston/liner fit and probably the glow plug too.

The .27 on my Duratrax turns freely and the carb is clean. Before I put it away 3 years ago I put some after run oil in it, so I assume that's why it survived. I will make sure to do a comprehensive check on the XXX-NT's engine which I think is a .21 Dynamite.

Well I got it up and running but before I got the chance to get it warmed up driving around the front steering servo died.