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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2009



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Castor Mix

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Howard - 22 Jul 2009 01:50 GMT
Can someone tell me the proper amount (if there is a proper amount) or
recommended mix of castor oil to add to one gallon of Cool Power fuel. It is
15% nitro and 18%  synthetic lubricant. Will the addition make the fuel too
oily? Smoke heavy?
I know there are two schools of thought about adding castor and I can
appreciate both sides. But, I'm not seeking a class on this topic, just an
educated response to my question. TIA
Howard
Vance - 22 Jul 2009 02:21 GMT
> Can someone tell me the proper amount (if there is a proper amount) or
> recommended mix of castor oil to add to one gallon of Cool Power fuel.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> appreciate both sides. But, I'm not seeking a class on this topic, just
> an educated response to my question. TIA Howard

Adding about 3 to 4 ounces of castor will bring the oil content up to
20%. I like 18% oil, but 20% won't hurt.

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Morgans - 22 Jul 2009 05:24 GMT
>> Can someone tell me the proper amount (if there is a proper amount) or
>> recommended mix of castor oil to add to one gallon of Cool Power fuel.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Adding about 3 to 4 ounces of castor will bring the oil content up to
> 20%. I like 18% oil, but 20% won't hurt.

Exactly what I was going to write.  That is exactly what I do, ( I go with 4 oz)
and one of my engines is a Fox that is supposed to have castor; so it works for
me.  None of my other engines have a problem with the extra oil, but they are
all two strokes.  You can not have too much oil, in reason, of course.

Jim in NC
Boo - 22 Jul 2009 10:40 GMT
> You can not have too much oil, in reason, of course.

So you can have too much oil if you have too much ?

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Boo

Bob - 22 Jul 2009 13:27 GMT
On Jul 22, 4:40�am, Boo <reply_to_group_not_me@spam_me_no_spam.net>
wrote:
> > You can not have too much oil, in reason, of course.
>
> So you can have too much oil if you have too much ?
>
> --
> Boo

Really old style (iron piston in a steel sleeve, check with a magnet)
need up to 29% oil (Fox Super Fuel from the 50's and 60's had 29%
oil).   I have a Veco 29 that has been run for hundreds of hours on
high castor fuel since I bought it in 1969 and it still has
compression like new, with no noticible connecting rod or bearing
wear.   If you are running the old engines (or simply want to do all
you can to preserve your engine from wear) I would add 16 oz of castor
knowing that you will have a smoke trail that looks like an aerobatic
plane doing their thing.... but as someone else said 3 or 4 oz will
help protect the motor even on current engine designs.    Do not worry
too much about engine varnish with 3 or 4 oz in the mix as the
synthetic tends to keep things cleaner.  Also varnish build up is
worst with lean engine runs and most of us are not racing so do not
lean engines out all the way.
Bob
Morgans - 22 Jul 2009 22:40 GMT
> If you are running the old engines (or simply want to do all
> you can to preserve your engine from wear) I would add 16 oz of castor
> knowing that you will have a smoke trail that looks like an aerobatic
> plane doing their thing....

Wow, really?  I never would have thought that an engine would run with that
much oil in it.

I think I will take a pint of fuel and add an amount of oil in the
proportion that 16 oz. would be, just to see how it works.  I won't have
time for a month or so, so if I remember to do it, I'll get back here with
the results.
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Jim in NC

Tim Wescott - 22 Jul 2009 02:32 GMT
> Can someone tell me the proper amount (if there is a proper amount) or
> recommended mix of castor oil to add to one gallon of Cool Power fuel.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> appreciate both sides. But, I'm not seeking a class on this topic, just
> an educated response to my question. TIA Howard

Journal bearing ("bushed") engines like more oil, ball bearing engines
like less.

Run the engine too hot and synthetic oil breaks down and doesn't work,
potentially damaging the engine.  Castor, on the other hand, forms a
lubricating varnish.

That nifty lubricating varnish that castor forms is a pain and a half to
get off an engine -- the fact that the synthetic oil breaks down with
heat means that it burns up during combustion and doesn't get your model
greasy.

So: castor is safer & dirtier, and if your engine doesn't have ball
bearings you need more oil.

IMHO castor isn't going to make a lot of difference until your oil is
half castor and half synthetic -- but I'm no fuel whiz.

(and castor smells better).

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www.wescottdesign.com

Six_O'Clock_High - 22 Jul 2009 04:40 GMT
>> Can someone tell me the proper amount (if there is a proper amount) or
>> recommended mix of castor oil to add to one gallon of Cool Power fuel.
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> (and castor smells better).

The ONLY stipulation I would like to add to Tim's comment is that most four
strokes can do better with less castor as it tends to gum up the valve
stems.
Howard - 24 Jul 2009 03:38 GMT
> Can someone tell me the proper amount (if there is a proper amount) or
> recommended mix of castor oil to add to one gallon of Cool Power fuel. It
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> educated response to my question. TIA
> Howard

Thanks to all for your assistance.

Howard
 
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