Nitro Radio Cars, Their Care And Upkeep
BMW M3 GTR Nitro Race Car
Taking Care Of Your RC Nitro Cars
Are you giving your nitro powered RC cars the proper care? A little preparation can save a lot of money in the long run in repair costs. Learning rc engine basics of proper maintenance will help to lengthen the life of your RC nitro cars and help keep your vehicles in top shape.
RC Nitro Engines
The nitro powered RC car's engine works are very similar to that of a regular car engine. The main components of RC vehicles hat rely on efficient driving and the preventive maintenance you can and should take.
Fuel and Fuel Lines
The fuel used by RC nitro engines is a combination of nitro methane and a synthetic or castor oil lubricant. Not using the proper mixture of fuel will damage youengine in addition to giving you poor performance. If your RC car is running poorly the first thing to examine is the fuel system. Cracks or debris in the fuel lines can cause the engine to miss. It is advantageous to check your vehicle's fuel lines each time before running it. Dirty lines should be cleaned. If you encounter problems, check your user manual before going any further. Don't operate the vehicle when you see a problem. This is one case of discretion being the better part of valor.
Air Filter
Just as the air filter in an automobile has the responsibility for providing clean air to the ignition process of the auto, the air filter has the same responsibility to your RC car engine. The air filter keeps dirt and debris from the internal engine thus permitting it to run smoothly. If the air filter becomes clogged then dirt and heat will get into the engine making it more work to draw air into the combustion chamber. This substantially affects the performance of the engine and can even damage the engine. Air filters can often be cleaned rather than replaced. If your air filter in the model you own is very expensive to replace then you may wish to clean it but you should make sure it doesn't get dirty past the point of cleaning. If you compare the cost of engine repair to that of an air filter versus replacing the filter should give a clear picture of the proper way to proceed.
Tuning the Engine
While nitro engines are often more difficult to set up than their electric counterparts, they also allow for the operator to adjust the engine and thus the performance of the vehicle. The carburetor permits you to adjust the mixture of air/fuel that is being used by the engine. A low mix of fuel is called 'lean' while a high ratio of fuel to air is 'rich'. Making small adjustments to the mix according to the driving conditions will fine tune the operation of the nitro powered RC car. On the other hand you want to be cautious not to get the mixture is too lean or rich as this can cause damage to the engine.
Tires
Just as on your family vehicle, you should check the tires on your RC nitro cars before putting them out on the track. You should check the balance following the instructions in your user's manual. This is especially critical during your initial setup.
Testing
Anytime you are putting your RC car on the track for the first time or after it has been out of use for awhile, you should test the vehicle and tune it for optimum performance before really pushing it or running on rough terrain. After driving the vehicle check it thoroughly for debris. Make sure all parts are moving freely and clogged with mud or dust. Running the vehicle without first ensuring it is clean can cause costly damage to the engine or other parts. When first starting out, pick the brains of experts regarding the recommended upkeep necessary for your chosen vehicle. Some models will have more expensive maintenance costs than others just as some family cars are more expensive to operate. This may also factor in your choice of a nitro powered RC car.