Quick Nitro Engine Tune-Up Tips

No matter what you say, winning those bragging rights is the only reason why you participate in the nitro season. This year is going to be no different. You’re going to go from “Ah! It’s just a hobby” to “let’s win this thing” in 3.5 seconds. So, now that the cat’s out of the bag and we’re on the same page, let’s talk nitro engine tune-ups.

Before you decide to get your hands on pre-run maintenance, make sure that you’ve already completed the break-in process. By that, we simply mean that you have fuelled the engine before and have used at least two rounds of nitro.

Why perform regular nitro engine tune-ups?

Just like a regular-sized car, servicing isn’t just about making your vehicle look amazing. A tune-up performed efficiently can not only keep your RC car in mint condition but also save you a ton of money in the long run.

You won’t have to constantly pay for the blown up engine or leaks if you know the status of your car’s insides.

Besides, you need to know how to do it. While you can always take your RC car to an expert, you must also have experience in DIY. It takes less than 30 minutes, so you might as well learn the ins and outs of your car.

Start by checking for exhaust leaks

Leaky exhausts can cost you a fortune. The longer you have them, the more fuel you’ll lose. And what do you think happens when your RC car demands more fuel?

That’s right! Before you know it, your car will have burned a gaping hole in your wallet and you’ll end up spending more on fuel than actually enjoying your hobby.

You’ll also lose engine power due to a leaky exhaust. So, if you find oil buildup around the exhaust, it’s time to fix it.

Inspect the air filter

One of the easiest parts about nitro engine tune-up is checking the air filter. All you need to do is consult your manual.

Simply flushing out the dust and dirt off the air filter can improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Because the dirtier and more clogged the air filter, the more fuel and power it will consume and wear your car off. So, always make sure you keep it clean and replace the filter whenever necessary.

Prime the engine

Priming literally ensures your engine has enough lubrication to function properly. It allows you to start the engine as soon as you turn it on. So, this part may be a little technical but it’s unavoidable when it comes to your nitro engine tune-up.

Block the muffler of your engine using your finger and let the pressure from the exhaust fill in the fuel lines. Once the pressure has reached the fuel tank causing the fuel to escape through the carburettor, you can turn on the engine and see the fuel prime the engine.

You can then turn off the engine and your job is done.

And while you’re at it, check your fuel lines for leaks or cracks to keep your fuel cost manageable.

Check the clutch

The nitro RC clutch determines your entire car’s performance. It can literally help you win the nitro season.

If you don’t know it yet, the nitro RC clutch is responsible for transmitting and cutting off power to the vehicle, so you can change gears and shift speed. So, it needs to be in perfect condition if you want to ace your match.

Checking your nitro RC clutch will ensure that you don’t experience any hiccups on the track and have a smooth drive.

Tune your nitro RC clutch to engage and disengage at the appropriate rpm (refer to the manual) to offer more energy to the vehicle.

Adjust the high-speed and low-speed needles

There isn’t a single way of doing this because racers need to customise their RC car as per the track they’re going to running it on. And it has to be done on the same day.

Typically, the high-speed mixture is reserved for the longer tracks whereas the low-speed mixture is more appropriate for shorter tracks. But you also need to consider the temperature and weather conditions when tuning up your nitro engine.

Make sure you have a balanced mixture of both high-speed and low-speed needles as having more of either of the two will cause the car to stall.

Keep making minor adjustments until you’re happy with your vehicle’s slowest idle speed. Test your RC car around its slowest and fastest running speed for about 20 seconds before making it official.

If the car returns a rich and robust sound during the high-speed test, it’s good to go. Similarly, if it makes a lean sound during the slow-speed test, you’re all set for the nitro season.

Check the glow plug

This should be part of all your nitro engine tune-up sessions. Because glow plugs don’t last too long, consider getting rid of them every once in a while.

If your glow plug isn’t working fine, your engine will never ignite. So, remember to change the glow plug if your engine doesn’t start when you remove it.

Here’s a useful tip – since you’d have to tune the new glow plug up after installing it for a smoother drive, consider going for one that’s the same as your current plug. You can also refer to the manual to find the right glow plug for your RC car.

Replace the bearings

The entire point of tuning up your nitro engine is to find out the faults and problems within your vehicle. So, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t ignore the bearings during the upkeep process.

Bearings reduce friction and make rotation smoother. To ensure everything’s A-okay, all you have to do is manually rotate the drivetrain or powertrain and check for drags. If the bearings seem to be stuck, find out which one’s causing the lag and replace it with a new one.

Clean the brakes

When it comes to cars (any car), slowing down or stopping is just as important as accelerating is. Since brakes are an indispensable component of any nitro RC car, you must check the brake’s performance during the tune-up session. If the oil has deteriorated its grip, replace your RC’s brakes immediately.

A tad motor spray and a piece of sandpaper should do the trick. Use the spray to clean out the brake system and deglaze using the sandpaper before you reassemble the system and call it a day.

Conclusion –

With time, you’re only going to get better at nitro engine tune-ups. What matters is you learn to do it yourself and recognise the sounds of your RC car’s parts to know if they’re working fine. If they aren’t, you can always find compatible parts and accessories on our site around the year.