This clip illustrates that it’s the HEAT that allows a diesel engine to run on a no ether fuel . With the magic castor and Amsoil mix, sufficient heat is generated on a few prime runs to allow a start. With the motor oil and MEKP though, it’s a no go. I suspect, however, that though both fuels take the engine up to the same temperature, it’s the castor/Amsoil mix that allows a run at a slightly lower temperature. I did need to overcompress, a small amount, even for a hot start. However, note the no prime start just after shutdown and before the engine cools off . This was with the compression at the final run position. Once again, IT’S THE HEAT that lets our diesel engines run on compression ignition alone.

Sure, there are loads of benefits a nitro engine offers but maintaining it has to be a regular chore. Also, there’s absolutely no doubt that in order to keep up with proper tuning and extra care for its engine to last longer, it will have to take more than your precious time and attention – your budget has to keep up too.

In this video I run the FS-48 diesel conversion I did about three years ago. I rebuilt it last year to replace a damaged liner and ring (unrelated to the diesel conversion). I also added the crankcase recirculation system OS uses in the new Alpha Series. Once the engine is warmed up I can switch to a fuel mix with no ether. 12% oil, 87% kerosene, and 1% DII. I did not measure RPM this time, but it has run at 10800 RPM on the etherless fuel while turning a Graupner 12×6. Fuel consumption is on the order of 12oz (355ml) per hour at wide open throttle in flight. The compression setting is substantially higher without ether, but the engine appears to be doing well. in the past I had run the engine with 20% castor oil in this fuel. The 12% synthetic oil is an experiment at this time.

There are many ways on how to start with gas-powered RC car or truck. There are many realistic features offered by these remote-controlled cars and trucks. They come in a variety of styles and types in the industry. In choosing one, there are many considerations you should take before eventually owning one. Radio-controlled cars and trucks lack the power and running time. But if you want to consider, you can convert them into gas powered RC cars, with the use of nitromethane-based fuel. This fuel provides RC cars a level or realism or performance, which are absent on other battery-powered vehicles. Aside from this, they are also highly customizable making it possible for you to integrate RC car accessories and personalize them. There are options of engines and transmitters available to allow you to choose one depending on how you’d want the RC car works.To help you begin in finding the right gas-powered RC car, the following are the factors you should consider:1.    Engines. The most important aspect in a gas RC car, you can choose from the variety of engine models available to choose from. Generally, most RC cars use a specific type, which is commonly called as “glow” engine. It is a 2-cycle combustion engine, which creates power to the RC car preparing it for realism that also produces exhaust in the process. In replacement of spark plugs utilized by automotive engines, a “glow plug” is used for this engine. It is being heated in turn by a “glow starter.” The heat will be held by the “glow plug” to which this is now used to fire engine strokes for rest of the running power. 2.    Fuel. Just like the actual gasoline used in automobiles, the nitromethane-based gas fuel the RC cars. The fuel mixture is formulated with special lubricants so that it protects the engine from the excessive heat produced by the combustion process. The lubricants are the same with the gas-oil you use with your small engine equipments or some chainsaws. Accessories such as a special bottle pump may be needed to get nitro-fuel into your fuel tank of the RC car. Filters are also used on these cars and the same with your automobile they require replacement at a proper time interval. 3.    Radio. Radio controller is used to control the RC car and could be same type used on electrically-powered RC cars. It is radio controller operates on 2-channel system that needs batteries to make it work. Additional batteries would be needed to power the receiver though there are other receivers that are fed from the motor itself. 4.    Sport or competition. This is an aspect you most considered when choosing body style. There are different options for you; you have choices from sedans, trucks, buggies, stock cars, and other popular car models. These are basically available in two versions: sports, and competition version. Sports RC cars typically cost less than the car you intend to race, which of course would need more power and higher speeds. Ball bearings and oil shocks are some of the advanced options included for the competition RC car version. Depending on the type you need, RC car kits and ready-to-car or RTR kits are available. If you are a beginner, RTR kits are what you need as this comes out of the box ready for the fuel. RC car kit, on the other hand, requires heavy work but allows you to decide how they would be put together.

When I first started racing Gas Powered RC cars, I used to struggle to get the engine into tune, while I was able to get the engine to start on a dime and it used to run fine for almost an entire fuel tank, it always seemed to over-heat near the end of the run. After many hours out on the track I can now finally say that I’ve got it down, tuning for me is now a 5 minute operation before I take my RC car out, and once it’s dialed in I only need to adjust one needle a fraction of a turn to get it back to it’s optimal settings.
I assume that your understand the basics of a RC Nitro Engine and how it works, if not please see my other articles which you can find on my website, see the resource box for details.
The Idle Screw
I always start with the idle screw, I adjust it so that the car will idle high when I’m first dialing in the engine. Once I get the engine up to temperature and with a tube that can keep it running without stalling I slowly adjust the idle down to the point where it’s about to stall, then I turn it back about 1/4 to 1/2 turn depending on the temperature. If your car stalls often it can be worth while increasing the idle to prevent this, it’s only a temporary fix while you sort out the other tuning issue, but it helps keep frustration levels down.
Low Speed Needle.
One of the great debates is which needle to adjust first, if your carburetor only has one needle adjustment screw then it’s not a problem, but if like most glow engines you have two you need to decide which to tune first. I always start with the low speed needle, this is because when you adjust the low speed needle you change the high speed needle. Once the low speed needle is dialed in you shouldn’t have to adjust it again. Make sure you keep it slightly on the rich side, when you RC Car idles the combustion chamber should start to fill up with fuel, this helps keep it cool. After a while the engine will stall, by measuring this you can tell if it should be richer or leaner. A good time is about 30 – 60 seconds before it stalls. The RC Car should pull off quickly from a standing start and should not bog down or flame out when you apply full throttle.
High Speed Needle.
Once you have your low speed adjustment needle dialed in it’s time to start getting the power out of the RC engine. This is done with the high speed needle, which adjusts the air to fuel mixture of the engine while it as high RPM (about 40% and up). Keep an eye on the trail of smoke as this is your first clue about the tune. You want to have a lot of smoke coming out of the engine at all RPM, if at some point there is little or no smoke then you are running too lean.
Hints, Tips and Tricks