is this true or a tale?

[kevinF]

I wa told that when it gets hot outside (80-100) its bad to run your r/c and that it burns up your motor?

is this true? if so how?

[firesprink281]

you might have to retune just keep an eye on your temps

[kevinF]

yeah i know that............but i dont understand how the heat can ruin your motor if your temps are good and its visible smoke

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

cuz some people are a little bit dum and dont understand why there stuff runs hotter when its hot out . Running your motor in the heat will not hurt it as long as u tune it right. Last year at the Kyosho challenge track temps were about 130* and I am still running that motor 8 gallons later.

[kevinF]

oh wow...........thanks mike

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

yupp and just to give you an idea of how the pros do it lol, Adam Drake was running his Sirio at 300* all weekend, the motor was tuned for max performance...so what im saying is dont let temps scare you, just be resonable

[Obsessive R/C]

This hobby is HUGE out west... California and Arizona...outdoor temps have little effect as long as you tune correctly.

[kevinF]

yupp and just to give you an idea of how the pros do it lol, Adam Drake was running his Sirio at 300* all weekend, the motor was tuned for max performance...so what im saying is dont let temps scare you, just be resonable

isnt 300 a little hot though?

[thenewguy821]

isnt 300 a little hot though?

Technically, Yes. But there are things to keep in mind. Ambiant temps play a big part on what temp an engine will run. The oil will only cool an engine so much. If you richen an engine TOO much, to try to bring the temps down in excessive heat, you will run the engine too rich, causing extra stress on everything. If this doesn't make sense, intentionally flood your engine, then pull the pullstart.... Now imagine all that extra backpressure when the engine is turning 30,000 RPM + SOMETHING is going to give....

Get used to watching the way an engine runs when it is tuned right, Watch for good smoke coming from the exhaust, and LISTEN to what an engine sounds like when it is running right. Once you get used to those, it'll be much easier to notice if the engine isn't running right in different climates.

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

Get used to watching the way an engine runs when it is tuned right, Watch for good smoke coming from the exhaust, and LISTEN to what an engine sounds like when it is running right. Once you get used to those, it'll be much easier to notice if the engine isn't running right in different climates.

+10 u said it all there bro

[kevinF]

ok thanks newguy.......I know how to tune by ear and all that but i just was told that 300 is too hot for a traxxas motor.......so w/e, thanks for explaining

[thenewguy821]

My first T-Maxx would run all day at 280, but it had great smoke, idled good, and never lean bogged. I got 6 gallons through that before I sold it, and I got it used. I wouldn't be surprised if it got close to 10 gallons before it decided to quit.

Running temps are a starting point, but not the only way to tune. So many other factors affect temps. Ambient temp, airflow, cooling head size, etc.

Also, don't make the mistake that a LOT of people do. NEVER tune an engine to temp with an oversized cooling head. The bigger head will drop temps 20-40 degrees or more, and some people think that it is then ok to lean it out. Too often, this results in running too lean.

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

now watch everyone go out and run their chit at 350 and come back and say u said it was alright lol! How can I put this nicely...i would say that there isnt any guy in here, myself including, that could benefit from the power tuning that the pros do. Those guys need that extra bit of power;but for what we use it for, it is really uneccessary. Your stuff will last longer if u run it a little richer, im not saying run it at 200 and let it be blubery rich, but i dont think the extra power is worth the decrease in lifespan. I only say that u will lose some life on the motor because, when you run them THAT lean, you are on the brink of perfect tune and lean bog/burn up your motor. If you can find that perfect spot, more power to you, its just findhing that tune thats the tough part lol

[thenewguy821]

now watch everyone go out and run their chit at 350 and come back and say u said it was alright lol! How can I put this nicely...i would say that there isnt any guy in here, myself including, that could benefit from the power tuning that the pros do. Those guys need that extra bit of power;but for what we use it for, it is really uneccessary. Your stuff will last longer if u run it a little richer, im not saying run it at 200 and let it be blubery rich, but i dont think the extra power is worth the decrease in lifespan. I only say that u will lose some life on the motor because, when you run them THAT lean, you are on the brink of perfect tune and lean bog/burn up your motor. If you can find that perfect spot, more power to you, its just findhing that tune thats the tough part lol

Not to mention, the PRO's just have to go to their sponser and say, "I burnt up an engine getting that 1st place trophy for your company." and they get a new engine...

If you are out bashing, keep it a little on the rich side (not enough that it won't run good, and loses ALL performance), save the "Race" tuning for the track.

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

and when the guy shows up to the track with 6 motors tuned and broken in ready to go, he can afford to make a mistake here and there lol must be nice

[redzebra24]

i was running my car at normal tuning for like couple days ago when it was colder and it would not shift on sunday so i leaned it 1/4 turn and it had ALOT of smoke and ran fast

[kevinF]

thanks newguy and mike......mike I know what you mean...

I keep my 3.3 revo's engine at 270-285 and it gets great smoke and runs great. and I know that an oversized cooling head will ruin it. thanks for explaining guys.

[olds97_lss]

I find that humidity causes more of a tuning headache than high ambient temps. Take 80% humidity with 75F temps and I have issues getting things running right. 95F and no humidity and I can run all day without shutting down or touching a needle.

Low ambient also causes tuning issues. Anything below 40F causes headaches. At least for me. I find it more difficult to tune my big blocks than my small blocks when it's cold out. More surface area to cool things off faster...

Anything between 210 and 275 and you should be safe. Some engines perform well on the cool side while others don't perform well until they hit 260. Could be the same brand/model of engine and you will still get different temps that make that engine run right.

Listening to the engine, feeling for power and looking for smoke are your best tuning tools. A temp gauge is good for break-in and periodic checks if the weather is fluctuating on you.

[Ponch]

I was laughing sunday....After a 10 minute main, I was only running at 210 I think...And I was making lots of power, enough to blow up a response tire lol.

[Czech-it-Out Graphics]

Olds, when the humidity is up you need to lean the motor out. More water in the Air = less oxygen in the air, therefore you need LESS fuel in the motor. Cool temps are usually associated with low humidity so believe it or not with cold temps u may have to richen your motor due to an increase in the oxygen levels in the air which means you need MORE fuel in your motor to mix well with MORE air

hope that helps

[olds97_lss]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep that in mind.

Although, this weekend, I ran about 1/2 gallon through my 18TM revo and my OS 21RG savage without any overheating issues. Plenty of power/smoke all weekend long. It was 80+ and humid.

I had tuning issues more when it was humid back when I was new to the hobby.