I'll be getting a Savage X 4.6 RTR soon and it will be my first Nitro. I've been told on here by a few people that when I break in the engine I should just follow the instructions in the manual. I found this site though:

http://www.rbmods.net/enginetempering.php

And it got me thinking if i do it the way the manual says will I be hurting the engine. I take it that this link is using the heat cycle. Now I suppose since this is going to be my first breaking in of a nitro engine that I should just follow the manual and do exactly what it says to do. However I thought I would ask you guys and see what you think.

Thanks to all that respond

The method you have linked is known as the bess method. It's only recommended if youa re experienced in tuning and breaking in engines. The 4.6 is not a racing engine and does not need to be 'babied' through its break-in. Follow the manual for this one, then when you have some experience and if you get a high dollar engine, try the heat cycling (bess) method. You won't hurt your engine following the manual, you may hurt it trying the heat cycle method if you aren't careful. No need to take the risk.

Thanks a lot for the reply foxy42, I"ll do just that and follow the manual exactly


Thanks again

Ahh,

After all these years these break in posts still come up every 10 minutes I see

better be safe than sorry when it comes to breaking in

I am also having a TOTAL new Savage X 4.6 RTR
I am following the manual, but I Runs it with the wheels of the ground, for two tanks of fuel
I did it today
I am soon going to do the rest of the break-in, but I am just waiting until my dad comes home from work!:P
The Savage X 4.6 RTR is a really, really good MT!:P

So following the Bess method, what's the best way to tell your engine is running around 200 degrees without a temp gun

The best way to tell the temp of the engine is to spend the extra $25-$30 and buy a temp gun. It's that simple. There is no other method that is accurate enough to judge the temps of the engine for a heat cycly break-in.

There is an old method, called the "spit test" or "water droplet test" but that is best reserved for checking normal operating temps and is not accurate enough to break an engine in.

hahaha

I've read in other threads about the heat cycle method, heating up the engine with a hair dryer and covering the engine head with foil or a rag to get the temp up. Where exactly do you heat up with the hair dryer and where do u use to the foil/rag - right around the heat sink/glow plug area?

Yes around the heat sink