Some hints to the maintenance of radial engines:
I am cleaning my radial engine with synthetically acid and resin free spray oil after every flying day. Like with WD-40 or Rivolta.  
That infiltrates dirt and preserves the engine parts against next dirt contamination. Especially in the area of the open rocker arms and valve springs. The valves will be lubricated through loss lubrication. Therefore the exhaust valve will get extra dirty. If you are cleaning it without oil you will rub in the dirt particles and will not get it properly cleaned anymore.My engines are looking close to new after years of operations.
Maintenance
My engines are getting a yearly maintenance after the flying season, to assure reliable functionality. I'm checking:
- The master rod - The needle bearing in the master rod - The link rods - The rotary shaft sealing ring - The crankshaft pivot - The valve train mechanism - The valves - The glow plugs - The compression of each cylinder - The tightness of the crankcase
 
Complete disassembling and functionality test of the Seidel ST 9-90
 
Also the little ones are getting special care That is a G-Mark 2 stroke radial engine born
through us. in the 80th. He will enjoy this active engine
life again.
Two real rare radial engine enthusiast specimens found its way to my service work shop.  
Seidel ST-540 5 Cylinder Märklin - Anzani Replica
The legendary SEIDEL ST 540 is perhaps the first scale looking and reliable running model radial engine, made in the 90th. After an engine gentle but boring life in cabinet that oldie will demonstrate his functionality very soon.For me is that SEIDEL ST 540 radial engine is one of the best model radial engine that was ever developed. It is a pity that this quality is not offered anymore.
The bit creative ANZANI replica out of a MÄRKLIN kit impress through its unmatchable running smoothness: you just do not hear anything.
Compression and tightness:
 
Compression measurement of the cyslinders Depression measurement of the crankcase
Evaluation of the tightness Evaluation of the tightness
- Special cleaning:
Ultra sonic cleaning of the carburettor. Everything flying around in the air is trying to go through our and your carburettor, like dust, pollen, flies, birds, …
Ultra sonic cleaning unit - I am exchanging:
- grease² in the cam disc case
- gas tube
² It is important to exchange the grease in the cam disc case. It changed its colour to black. Even if there is no measurable wear at the cam disk, gears and push rods there is a micro abrasion at the contact surfaces, leaving kind of pollution. The resulting friction is separating the molecule chains of the grease and limits its lubrication performance.
³ The glow plugs are inspected visually and functionally. Even if the glow plugs are glowing the glow wire may tighten over the time. In that case I exchange the glow plug. I am using the special OS F type because of its reliable functionality.
The maintenance always pays off resulting in getting a trouble free and reliable running radial engine. It is simply not true that a complex four stroke radial engine is able to operate without maintenance. Consequence would be to fly it till its mechanical exitus. Also your car is getting regular maintenance or gets at least some refilled oil.
|
