Is it best?

[Steve & Chris Clark]

Running the motor until it runs out of gas while at high RPM, good or bad
idea?
Just wondering as it happened a couple of times today. Any answer with
reason would be appreciated.
--
Steve


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[Dan405]

"Steve & Chris Clark" <swampclarks2@sprint.cayourpants> wrote in message
news:KSBPc.578$PR6.4641@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
> Running the motor until it runs out of gas while at high RPM, good or bad
> idea?
> Just wondering as it happened a couple of times today. Any answer with
> reason would be appreciated.
> --

As far as i know, whilst you won't damage your engine, theres the
possibility you'll kill your glow plug. Usually my buggy coughs and
splutters a bit before it runs out of fuel, so i either fill it, or drive it
back gently and let it die on idle.

--
Dan

[Rick Russell]

I'm not a nitro guy so you can take this with a grain of salt...

IMO, running out of fuel is not a good idea. Low fuel means low
lubrication. So as the mixture leans out, the engine will rev up
without enough lubricant to protect it. Pinching the fuel line is a
bad idea for this reason too.

Blocking the exhaust will cause even more fuel to be injected into the
engine, and give the exhaust no where to go, so you'll get extra
lubrication just as the engine stops. But it can be messy, since
you'll flood the engine.

Or, you can put a tap the clutch bell with your shoe and stop the
engine directly. I'm not sure if this is dangerous at all -- offhand,
I don't think that it would be any more dangerous than starting the
engine with a starter box.

Rick R.

[Dean]

On Tue, 3 Aug 2004 19:16:44 +0000 (UTC), rickr@is.rice.edu (Rick Russell) wrote:

>I'm not a nitro guy so you can take this with a grain of salt...

I am a nitro and electric guy, and Your comments were pretty close.

>IMO, running out of fuel is not a good idea. Low fuel means low
>lubrication. So as the mixture leans out, the engine will rev up
>without enough lubricant to protect it. Pinching the fuel line is a
>bad idea for this reason too.

It is true that you will be down on lubrication, but the motor will only be
running lean for a half second or so before it dies. A half second isn't going
to mean beans in the end.

>Blocking the exhaust will cause even more fuel to be injected into the
>engine, and give the exhaust no where to go, so you'll get extra
>lubrication just as the engine stops. But it can be messy, since
>you'll flood the engine.

This method can be good, but it has one major downfall - burns. The tip of the
exhaust pipe can get very hot, so it would be best to use a gloved hand or
something else to seal off the tip.

>Or, you can put a tap the clutch bell with your shoe and stop the
>engine directly. I'm not sure if this is dangerous at all -- offhand,
>I don't think that it would be any more dangerous than starting the
>engine with a starter box.

This is the best method, but it is very cumbersome to tap with your shoe. THe
best is to use a gloved hand. And don't be a wuss about it, just hit it hard
with your finger. If you hit it soft it can burn your glove.

---
Proud owner of:
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email: dean (at) the above domain

[mike]

When you consider all the other operating environment of an RC car engine
(enclosed in the heat, down low in the dust etc etc) I think this is totally
the least of your problems. Don't worry about it.

Mike


"Steve & Chris Clark" <swampclarks2@sprint.cayourpants> wrote in message
news:KSBPc.578$PR6.4641@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
> Running the motor until it runs out of gas while at high RPM, good or bad
> idea?
> Just wondering as it happened a couple of times today. Any answer with
> reason would be appreciated.
> --
> Steve
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.732 / Virus Database: 486 - Release Date: 7/29/04
>
>

[SBlackfoot]

> Running the motor until it runs out of gas while at high RPM, good or bad
> idea?
> Just wondering as it happened a couple of times today. Any answer with
> reason would be appreciated.


I'd avoid it if possible. For those last tend seconds or so the engine is
running leaner and leaner until it dies. When this happens the engine isn't
getting nearly enough oil and it's revving stupidly high to boot. You're
just asking for piston-sleeve damage.

If you want to run it dry before putting it away for the night I run it
until the revs start to pick up (when the tank is low and she's sucking
air), then let off the gas and bring her in slowly. Far less chance of
damage.

[Frater Mus]

On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 at 19:16 GMT, <rickr@is.rice.edu> wrote:

> IMO, running out of fuel is not a good idea. Low fuel means low
> lubrication. So as the mixture leans out, the engine will rev up
> without enough lubricant to protect it. Pinching the fuel line is a
> bad idea for this reason too.

Just before doing afterrun it's traditional to starve the engine out.

> Blocking the exhaust will cause even more fuel to be injected into the
> engine, and give the exhaust no where to go, so you'll get extra
> lubrication just as the engine stops. But it can be messy, since
> you'll flood the engine.

Right.

When I'll be restarting I usually block the exhaust nipple; when
shutting down for the day I pinch it off or run it dry (preferably at
idle).

It's a matter of faith, I think.

> Or, you can put a tap the clutch bell with your shoe and stop the
> engine directly. I'm not sure if this is dangerous at all -- offhand,
> I don't think that it would be any more dangerous than starting the
> engine with a starter box.

The clutch bell will not stop the engine from rotating unless something
else is wrong. I think you meant to say "tap the flywheel".

I suppose that a forceful stop of the flywheel might be hard on the
reciprocating assemblies, but maybe I'm just a worry wart.


--
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[Frater Mus]

On Tue, 03 Aug 2004 at 19:48 GMT, <look@sig> wrote:

>>Blocking the exhaust will cause even more fuel to be injected into the
>>engine, and give the exhaust no where to go, so you'll get extra
>>lubrication just as the engine stops. But it can be messy, since
>>you'll flood the engine.
>
> This method can be good, but it has one major downfall - burns. The tip of the
> exhaust pipe can get very hot, so it would be best to use a gloved hand or
> something else to seal off the tip.

IME, aluminum pipes are very hot (enough to cause burns) while plastic
pipes (like the one on my revo and maxx) are cool enough to touch for
the purposes of shutting down the engine.

Your mileage may vary, of course.


--
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