Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / April 2005

Go ahead spray away, then prepare to scratch your head like buggery 12
months later when you try to work out how to unstick the engine.

WD40 is NOT a lubricant!

It may work for a short while as an after-run oil/lubricant but I wouldn't
trust it for anything over 2 weeks. Just empty the tank, then turn the
engine over with a glow start attached to burn off anything remaining and
then depending on the local climate or how long you intend to go before the
next run add after-run and keep the car indoors. Don't keep it in an outside
shed or unheated garage if there is an reasonable ammount of humidity around
or any fuel remaining inside the engine will adsorb it and cause rust to
form inside, usually on the bearings. Makes the engine sound as if it's full
of sand the next time you start it up and then you get idle problems due to
air leaking past the front bearing or worse as the rust comes loose and
wears the piston/liner fit faster than normal.

If you don't believe me about the WD40 then spray it on something like a tin
lid then take a look at it a month or so later it'll be very thick and
sticky and get harder and harder as time goes by.

Chris