What % oil? What oil type? How much nitro?

This is the biggest 'hot potato' in the modelling industry in my opinion - and certainly the most frequent cause of engine 'problems', poor performance, frustration and arguments over warranty work!!

Without writing a book - these notes and tables should help.......

If you're looking for the importer, distributor or agent to help with engine problems and free warranty repairs:
- read the engine instructions and be aware of the best fuel mixes recommended;
- make sure you know the oil and nitro content in the fuel you are using (or are being sold by your supplier).
- As not all fuel makers put the contents of the fuel on the outside of the container (a constant source of 'conversation' between Just Engines and Fuel manufacturers), the following tables (and manufacturers web sites) should help;
- If you don't know the oil and nitro content of the fuel - my advise is; find out - or just don't buy it!
In general most 2 strokes will be happy on 18-20% oil (preferably with at least 2% castor) and 5% nitro (eg O.S., Irvine, ASP etc..) - but always check the engine instructions.
In general most 4 strokes will be happy on 15-18% oil (preferably with at least 2% castor) and 5% nitro (eg O.S., ASP etc..) - but always check the engine instructions.
Yes - you may 'get away' with less oil than most manufacturers recommend - but if you have a couple of lean runs on a hot day - expect a repair bill. So always try to set engines 'a couple of clicks rich' on the ground.
It is cheaper to do a 'de-coke' than it is to do a repair!
Engines have developed tremendously in power to weight terms over the last 5 years or more. Compare the power of a Merco .61 with say a modern .36 - or the fact that a 1.80 engine can now develop 4HP!! Two extreme examples I know - the point I'm trying to make is this........ Just because you have used the fuel you use for years - does not mean it is still appropriate for the nice new engine you've just bought!

The following tables (correct as far as we know) are from the 3 most popular UK fuel suppliers (in alphabetical order). If you know of other manufacturers or other fuel mixes - please email and we'll do our best to add to the list.

Flair

www.flairproducts.co.uk

Name	Nitro %	Castor %	Synthetic %	Methanol	Paul's Notes
Red		20		80
Yellow	5	20		75
D Yellow	10	20		70
Orange	5		15	80
D Orange	10		15	75
Red/Blue		10	10	80
Yellow/Blue	5	10	10	75
Yellow/Gold	5	5	10	80
Yellow/Orange	10	5	10	75
Black/Blue		9	9	82

Model Technics

www.modeltechnics.com

Name	Nitro %	Castor %	Synthetic %	Methanol	Paul's Notes
Straight		20		80	FAI fuel and excellent for running in engines that need no nitro
GN or GX	various	20			20% castor never hurt an engine - (particularly 2 strokes) re read note 5 above! (2 stroke mix)
Dynaglo	various	2	8
Duraglo	various	6	9		excellent 4 stroke mix - but not really suitable for modern 2 strokes*
Supaglo	various	4	16		nice modern clean running 2 stroke mix
Ripmax	various		15
Formula Irvine	various		18		nice modern clean 2 stroke mix, or high oil FS mix (14% klotz, 4% castor)
Goglo			15
Regular Four Stroke		10
Special Four Stroke		9	9		good for modern FS engines - and (despite fuel name) for high oil 2 strokes eg Moki
Tigre Big Brute		4.5	6.5		for ST larger engines eg ST2000 and above
Laser Mix		2	15		also good for most FS and some 2 strokes

* All major 2 stroke engine manufacturers no longer offer warranty for engines ran on Duraglo

Southern Modelcraft 'Mo Glo'

Name	Nitro %	Castor %	Synthetic %	Methanol	Paul's Notes
2 Stroke	various	20			FAI fuel and excellent for running in engines and engines that need 0-5% nitro
Synthetic	various	2	15		One of the few fuels that can be used on most ringed 2 strokes* and 4 strokes
Synthetic Hi Lube	various		20
Double Lube High	various	9	9		nice high oil 2 stroke (and 4 stroke mix) and useful for high oil 2 strokes eg

* add 1% castor to the 2/15 mix to bring up to warranty spec. for most popular 2strokes; O.S., Irvine, ASP, J'EN, RMX....... (1st pressing castor is available in small bottles at most chemists)

Questions

Please ring, fax or email for more information or pricing, or if you can't see what you need.
Tel: 01228 712800, Fax: 01228 712800, Email: justengines@enterprise.net