[Rellic]

The Big Bore Saito Engines will easily start with a back bump against compression stroke when they are set up properly. You may also find that after the recommended primming procedure your standard electric starter will not turn the engine over and you will have to roll it back a couple of revolutions to the compression stroke. Be very carefully doing this if your glo plug is lit because sometimes just the slightest back bump to the compression stroke will fire the engine. Heed the warnings about using a "chicken stick" whenever moving the prop with a lit glo plug.
In summer weather I can start My 115 and My 180 after priming with just the slightest back bump on the compression stroke with two fingers on the spinner.
Be Very careful they do bite surprisingly HARD.

Brian T.

[Cougar429]

I make my own ARO out of a 50/50 mix of ATF and air tool oil.

[Rellic]

To add to My last post about back bumping on compression with a lit glo plug, My winter flying has verified this to Me twice (I am a slow learner). Sometimes My Dynatron Electric Starter will not turn My engine over enough to get it started so I casually roll the prop back to compression and .........OUCH!!.

Brian T.

[Rellic]

Back in My 2 stroke days I would use "Rislone Engine Treatment" as an ARO and still have Webra Speeds and YS pipers that after two decades of storage roll nice and one Webra I gave to a Buddy two years ago is still running fine and a YS 60 ran for Me until I replaced it with a Saito 115.

Brian T.

[John M.]

Good tips on AFO. I make sure that the oil (I prefer ATF) is injected into the crankcase vent then I store the engines nose down so that the front bearings get a good soaking.

In spite of that, when you disassemble them for inspection don't be surprised to see some rust! Nitromethane combustion in the presence of water = nitric acid. Yech!

[Fly North]

Wow ! Guys thanks for all the great information I am learning a ton of useful stuff about these engines . Now I will just have to try and remember it all when I am at the field . I am really happy to hear how much everyone seems to like these motors and the amount of useful service they seem to give .

[Fly North]

Originally Posted by Rellic

To add to My last post about back bumping on compression with a lit glo plug, My winter flying has verified this to Me twice (I am a slow learner). Sometimes My Dynatron Electric Starter will not turn My engine over enough to get it started so I casually roll the prop back to compression and .........OUCH!!.

Brian T.

That is a really good tip to know

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Kevin! Welcome to Saito ownership! Once you get to know each other you will never go back to wimmin'!

Seriously, there are cheaper 4 strokes(Magnum/ASP), longer lasting 4 strokes(Enya),more powerfull 4 strokes(YS), more fuel efficient 4 strokes(OS Surpass) but I doubt there are more dependable 4 strokes with the best of all of the above than Saitos!

I lean toward the smaller ones .30 (several), .40 (2), .45 (2), .50 (1), .56(3), .82, .91, .60T, .90 T, .90 R3 - all sweet running, great starting engines! Not a dud in the bunch!

Enjoy! Merv

[Fly North]

Thanks Mervin the more I hear and read about these motors the more I want to get a plane together and try my hand at getting my fingers smacked

[OLD PRAIRIE RED NECK]

Sure!

Dale Hunter taught me how to properly prepare & prime them so that they are one flip starters!

When you are ready, just ask & one of us will school you on the technique.