Best Tips for Nitro RC Car Maintenance
21st Dec 2015
Maintenance and upkeep are half the fun of owning and operating a Nitro powered RC because they add an element of realism to the hobby. However, this may pose a challenge, especially if you don't know the first thing about maintaining a nitro engine. There are simple things you can take care of by yourself even as a novice hobbyist. Doing a monthly routine maintenance on your Nitro RC is ideal, especially if you frequently drive it and even when you rarely go on the road, but push the unit to the limit when you do. With a few basic RC tools, here are some simple steps you can take for basic Nitro RC truck maintenance :
- Cleaning your air filter – Remove the air filter from the vehicle. This piece typically looks like a small sponge in a black wrapper, and it sits near the engine. Prepare a small plastic bag, some water mixed with hand or dish soap, and (optionally) air filter oil, which you will use to wash and rinse the filter. Dry the air filter and put it in the small plastic bag along with a few drops of air filter oil or nitro gas fuel for kneading before popping the foam back into its place.
- Checking for loose screws – Nitro engines generate a lot of vibration, which can cause screws to come loose resulting in problems such as screws falling out, parts falling off, or gear spacing going out of adjustment. It is recommended that you check all the screws every few hours of driving time, and tighten any that are coming loose. Pay special attention to the screws on the pull-start, engine mount and exhaust manifold. If you notice a particular screw has come loose again, after you tightened it, we recommend you put a drop of medium (removable) thread lock on the screw.
- If you will not be driving your vehicle for many weeks ( such as for the winter) we would recommend you remove the glow plug, and put a few drops of after-run oil ( available at a local RC Hobby shop) into the cylinder, and that you remove all fuel from the fuel tank and fuel lines
- Rotating the tires – Rotating your RC's tires is an important routine that can extend the life of your tires and save you some money in the long run. Identify your tires' rotation pattern to determine directionality. Switch or rotate your tires accordingly. Be sure you do not overtighten the wheels nuts which can make the wheels more difficult to turn.