[zvman]

What do you guys recommend for proper storage of a nitro engine to prevent rust? I have heard many things like Automatic Transmission Fluid, WD40, Afterrun oil, Compressed Airtool oil?
What about fuel tank, store full or empty with fuel?

[tskca]

After nearly 28 years flying helis, I make sure I charge the batteries after a few months, or even cycle them. As far as the fuel tank, it's dry; run the engine dry and I just leave it. For some reason I never have a problem with the rear bearings rusting. I suspect it's due to the fact that the engine is "vertical" and the fuel has so much oil in it already with rust inhibitors. Perhaps on the West Coast, I never stop flying.....

[Ramz]

Originally Posted by zvman

What do you guys recommend for proper storage of a nitro engine to prevent rust? I have heard many things like Automatic Transmission Fluid, WD40, Afterrun oil, Compressed Airtool oil?
What about fuel tank, store full or empty with fuel?

Get all the fuel out (run it dry) and coat the internals with oil. Glow fuel is hydroscopic as it will attract moisture. I use ATF. It is all about preventing the exchange of electrons between the oxygen and the metal....i.e. use the oil to prevent the O2 from contacting the metal parts. I store my tanks dry and inspect the stopper every spring and replace if necessary.

[DO335]

ATF is reputedly equivalent to after run oil in this use and considerably less expensive. It's never failed me yet over many years.

WD40 is not good. Proove it for yourself. Put some out in a small cointainer and after a few days you will see that it goes to sludge as the solvents evaporate. Ulitmately, I found, with a long term test, it gets extrememly thick and almost hard. That will gum up your engine.

Doing nothing is the worst. It's just asking for trouble, not just with the bearings but also with any of the internals.

[williame3590]

Air tool oil or 3in1 oil is fine machine oil that's seems to work the best, no red crap all over your engine is another bonus. Also cheap!

Bill

[rotormonkey13]

I use ATF too. The first year I tried doing what Ramz suggested and ended up replacing the bearings in the spring because they were rusted to hell. I store my helis vertically too. ymmv. Maybe it just depends on the area you live in and how much ambient moisture is in the air. I dunno.

[zvman]

Great info guys! Thanks