[JD and Beastlet]

An experienced flyer at my LHS recommended the use of Mercon automatic transmission fluid as a cost-effective substitute for after-run oil. Anyone else do this?

Cheers,

JD.

[phattires]

Any of the automatic transmission oils will work.
Marvel Mystery Oil good also but may be hard to find.

[Arn]

I have a couple OS 61SF's that I stored for about 10 years in a plastic ice cream bucket full of ATF and they are running fine today ( .. at least last season ) without any problems .... as far as ARO .... have never used the stuff .... but then again my fuel of choice has never been a totally synthetic mix ....

[voyager_663rd]

as said, (the cheapest you can find) tranny fluid works fine.

[Cougar429]

I have been making my own after run oil for years with a 50/50 mix of ATF and air tool oil, (basically turbine oil). I had a bit of a metal treatment I added to the mix to increase film strength, but it is not necessary.

In my own opinion, your treatment of an engine at the end of a session is as important as break in for longevity. Any remaining fuel in the motor contains nitro which combines with moisture to very strongly promote corrosion.

As an added bit of prevention I cap both the exhaust and carb inlet, (unless fully cowled and impossible to access) to help prevent moisture from getting at the internals. Temp changes cause the engine to breathe and this carries atmospheric moisture along with it. This is not perfect, especially with 4 strokes that have the case vent line.

[bhughes]

two things, i thought that most fuels now a days have after run added in it so there is no need to use it(i'm just going by what i read on the label i'm new to the nitro part of planes). And tranny oil isn't a lubricant to an extent, it is actually meant to provide friction for clutch plates is it not. That's what our mechanics for my service rig tell me anyway.

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Originally Posted by bhughes

two things, i thought that most fuels now a days have after run added in it so there is no need to use it(i'm just going by what i read on the label i'm new to the nitro part of planes). And tranny oil isn't a lubricant to an extent, it is actually meant to provide friction for clutch plates is it not. That's what our mechanics for my service rig tell me anyway.

I'm sold on the lubricating qualities of ATF, remember there are also gears and bearings in a transmission that need lube. A 92 Chev truck that I just got rid of with 416000 km on the original tranny and OIL ( didn't ever change it ) is enough to convince me that there was some serious lubricating going on! And yes the tranny was still working good.

[bhughes]

lol i wouldn't doubt it about your truck you cornation boys are cheap lol. i used to live there for a couple years you probably know some of my buddies the hewwits

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Originally Posted by bhughes

lol i wouldn't doubt it about your truck you cornation boys are cheap lol. i used to live there for a couple years you probably know some of my buddies the hewwits

Have met one or two of them , the kids were in school with some too, could you be related to Nevill Hughes or... it seems to me that George Rovinsky has a lady friend with the Hughes last name.
Dianne - I believe is her first name.

[Cougar429]

Most fuels with their own "After Run Oil" may actually do that, but you have to remember the nitro c omponent in the fuel itself is what causes the problems. Even if you starve the motor for fuel at high throttle some will remain inside the case.

There is never any harm and significant benefits for little cost in adding your own mix of A/R oil at the end of a session.


You guys might want to move that personal info over to PM's.