[floyd]

As our flying season winds down at least here in Ontario I have a few tips on oiling your glow engine. This should also apply after each flying day. Our raw fuel is very harmful to exposed metal used in bearings. Even if you hook up your glow driver and use your starter you will never get all the fuel out of the crankcase. Take a look at the pictures I've enclosed, most were rusted from fuel left in the crankcase. If you can't get oil in the motor right away at least block the muffler and carb and even the oil vent on 4-Strokes to stop air from getting in, until you can oil the motor. I use a 50/50 mix of air tool oil and red tranny fluid as my after run lubricant. Its been discussed many times on this site before. But, any oil will be better than no oil. I fly mostly OS Alpha 4-Strokes and for the winter I remove the cam cover to get oil in the motor. But every Alpha I have is always full of oil because of the way it gets circulated through the engine. Alpha's are the best lubricated engines I've ever seen. Its so important to oil glow motors but not many people bother to do it. I use a ink refill dropper for mine. It will even fit inside the oil vent on all 4-Strokes. Don't put it off, oiling is so important to all glow engines. Need any bearings, send me a PM. Cheers Floyd

[Cougar429]

All very good points.

I have been using that same 50/50 mix for over 3 decades for both assembly and after run lube. Neither damage the seals or gaskets.

I also agree keeping out the atmosphere is important, (more specifically any moisture) but capping the intake and exhaust serves to keep your transport and storage area clean by minimizing the chance any residue leaks out.

It should also be mentioned that although all are vulnerable, the quality of the bearing metal does make some difference in durability. Pac Rim bearings may be less expensive. You pay for that in less life even with good care and feeding.

[Raptor30V2]

The compression stroke wears out bearings so no amount of lube will save them. All need replacing and is considered normal wear maintenance.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Raptor30V2

The compression stroke wears out bearings so no amount of lube will save them. All need replacing and is considered normal wear maintenance.

The article focuses on preventing bearing failure due to rust, not normal wear and tear. Most bearings in RC Motor's get neglected and end up rusting, not wearing out. Cheers Floyd

[Raptor30V2]

Disagree if you take one apart you will see the hammering of the race in only the bottom section. I use cool power fuel and have never had a bearing rust, always changed due to wear.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Raptor30V2

Disagree if you take one apart you will see the hammering of the race in only the bottom section. I use cool power fuel and have never had a bearing rust, always changed due to wear.

Why don't you start your own thread with your own opinion and see what people think of it. If you look at my pictures you'll see what I've experienced over the last 30+ years. Maybe your theory is right, but I see very few wore out bearings. Bearings are designed to take a load. I know guys that still don't balance any props. Cheers Floyd

[michaely]

Floyd,

Good reminder..... I use the red tranny fluid = red auto transmission fluid alone as a after run oil as I have most of a gallon jug on hand from the time I used to extensively service my own cars.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by michaely

Floyd,

Good reminder..... I use the red tranny fluid = red auto transmission fluid alone as a after run oil as I have most of a gallon jug on hand from the time I used to extensively service my own cars.

I only ad the air tool oil as a rust preventative. Air tools properly oiled will never rust. Tranny fluid is high in detergent to keep the engines clean from any gumming like Caster oil does over time. That's why I made my 50/50 mix. Cheers Floyd

[Skidoo55]

Originally Posted by Raptor30V2

Disagree if you take one apart you will see the hammering of the race in only the bottom section. I use cool power fuel and have never had a bearing rust, always changed due to wear.

I disagree. I haven't changed as many as Floyd, but haven't changed any that just wore out. As for the bottom of the race being hammered, I guess that would make sense, but with the counterbalanced crankshaft I think that the impact at the bottom of the stroke is minimized. If it was hitting so hard that it was distorting the bearing, then the whole motor would be shaking itself apart and probably come out of the plane before the bearing failed.

[pierretessier]

Originally Posted by michaely

Floyd,

Good reminder..... I use the red tranny fluid = red auto transmission fluid alone as a after run oil as I have most of a gallon jug on hand from the time I used to extensively service my own cars.

Did the same for all my engines. Never had a problem.