Old Engines

Hey guys-

After being out of the hobby for a long time due to a serious back injury, I am getting back into RC and bringing my planes back to life one at a time. Of course the electrics were easy, but the nitro engines are a concern. The engines just sat.
Any advice? Should I just plan on replacing them, or is there any chance they could be revived?

thanks,

Bill

* they are a couple of OS .46 and one Saito 100

Don't discard them!
Old engines may be frozen or locked up, but they CAN be revived!

okay thanks- these are not locked up, they turn fine, but they have been sitting for 15 months.

They should be fine.I bought a new engine one time that was about 15 years old that was never run.That baby crank up in three turns and has been one of my best running engine that I have ever had. Good luck.

Take the high needle out of the carburetor and run some new fuel in it to clean it out and you should be good to go.

thanks guys!

Roger H. told me about HOPPE'S #9 Power Solvent.

It's for cleaning rust on fire arms.

You can get it at a local gun store.

I've cleaned several engines that were froze up tight.

Take the head & back plate off pour some on the bearings.

It frees them up like new.

Oil the bearings, start the engine. Good to go.

One thing to remember about an engine that has been in storage, corrosion!
If the bearings have any corrosion on them, then just washing the "rust" off is'nt good enough they must be replaced, and its not difficult nor is it expensive.
After inspecting the engine, and if no corrosion is found, well its off to the races and it will be great to see another pilot bring his stuff out of storage
With that said, all i can say now is, bring it on man!

Thanks Tony. I am looking forward to seeing you guys again.

For an update-

The engine on my Avistar trainer (OS 46) is froze, well not completely, it will move until I get it to TDC and then is seems like it sticks there. I don't want to force it.

The engine on my Pulse 40 (OS 46) seems perfect, moves well and has compression.

The engine on my Pulse 60 (Saito 100) moves freely but had zero compression and I could hear a sucking sound (first time I heard that since being married). I read up a little and took the valve covers off and found a valve stuck. Once I freed it, the compression was fine so I think it will be okay.

I will check the bearings on all of them, thanks for the advice. When I check the bearings, will I need replacement gaskets?


Bill

I think you will need new gaskets, but you might get lucky and they might not tear when you remove the cover! Also on your Avistar, remove the glow plug add some Marvil mystery oil or something simular to the carb and down the glow plug hole and it should free up. If you want you could bring it to the field and im sure we can help.

Just a quick update.

Two of my three engines came right back to life. My third engine (OS 46 AX) was running very poorly. Phil at the field told me how to change the bearings so i ordered them and stripped down the engine and replaced them. It runs great now, so I am all set.


thanks!

So, when will you be out at the field?
You DO still know how to find the field, don't you, Bill?

LOL yes. I had company in town.

Actually, I am planning on coming out to the field tomorrow (Tuesday). I am on vacation this week so i hope to get there a few days....

see you there


bill

What time will you be at the field Bill? I may come out after work today.

I got there around 2PM and stayed till 6 PM. Phil was there all afternoon as well, and Jeff stopped by for a bit.

Got a couple flights in on my trainer. After shaking the first flight nerves, it all came back... just like riding a bicycle.

I hope to get by a couple more times during this week.

I watched Bill fly today, and man he did a good job, and that engine sounded good It sure is great to see him get back into the hobby

I second that Tony P. Yep Bill you looked good!! And Tony's new student Brandon looked good also.