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RC Trucks
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RC Nitro Trucks
RC Nitro Engines
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An Overview of RC Nitro FuelNow that we've looked at a basic overview of a typical nitro rc engine, we need to touch upon the special rc nitro fuel required by these engines. Nitro fuel It is NOT gasoline! Never try to feed a rc nitro engine gasoline, because it will cause all sorts of problems. Besides, it won't work anyway! RC nitro fuel is made up of a custom blend of 3 primary components.
In addition to these 3 primary components to rc nitro fuel, there are often other additives added in small quantities which help alter some of the characteristics of the nitro fuel. Among others, these additional rc nitro fuel additives might include anti-foaming agents and substances to help prevent corrosion inside the engine.
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RC Nitro
Fuel
1) NITROMETHANE. Also commonly referred to as NITRO
for short. Nitromethane is derived from propane. In itself,
nitro is not even extremely flammable as one might think. The real
power producing potential of nitromethane is that it carries additional
oxygen with it into the combustion process. It acts as a fuel too,
but the molecule carries oxygen along with it. In a way, nitromethane
is sort of like a chemical "supercharger" for an engine. It helps
get more oxygen into the engine to help burn more fuel and produce more
power. For the most nitro engine used in RC trucks, a 20% nitro
blend is probably a good balance. Most nitro engines in cars and
trucks could probably tolerate fuels with up to 30% nitro, but it's
probably best to avoid going much over that in a typical nitro engine.
20% nitro is probably one of the most common fuel blends for rc truck
nitro engines, and would be a safe choice for most people. Follow
the recommendations of your engine manufacturer, and you should be
safe.
2) METHANOL. Methanol is sometimes referred to as
"wood alcohol" because originally it was derived from distilled wood products.
However, methanol can be made from more than one source, and today it is
very commonly derived from natural gas. Methanol is the primary fuel
component of nitro fuels and is usually also the most dominant ingredient
in a nitro fuel mixture. Methanol is also a common fuel used in full
size motorsports and racing. The methanol has a natural intercooling
effect that helps to cool both the intake air/fuel mixture which means
cooler, denser (more oxygen) and more power potential. Also, the
evaporative cooling effect of methanol can help keep engine temps running
cooler than other fuels. Methanol contains the primary energy
content of nitro fuels. 
3) OIL. The oil portion of the nitro fuel blend is
very interesting. Over the years, there has been much debate and
changing recommendations. First there was castor oil. Then
there were synthetics. Some fuels have been blended with all castor
oil and some with all synthetic oils. Today, most nitro fuels
contain a combination of both synthetic and castor oil. Castor oil
is a naturally occurring oil that is derived from a plant. It is a natural lubricant that has
some very unique properties. When subjected to higher temperatures,
castor oils will actually begin to break down. Normally, this would
be a bad thing for a lubricant to do in an internal combustion engine.
However, in the case of castor oil, this "breaking down" is one of it's
greatest strengths! When castor oil breaks down at high temperatures,
it's properties change and it's high temperature lubricating properties
actually increase! As engine temperatures go up further, the castor
oil continues to break down and forms a lubricating film that actually
protects the engine better. In the process, this film or residue (like
varnish) can also gum up the engine and cause other problems. On the
other hand, synthetic oils typically are much cleaner and normally do not
leave residues behind. Synthetic oils can help lubricating metal
surfaces at higher RPM's when temperatures are lower. However, when
temperatures rise, synthetic oils can break down and actually burn off
leaving little protection for the engine. So, there are strengths
and weaknesses of both castor and synthetic oils. Thankfully, most
modern rc trucks run on nitro fuel blends that utilize the strengths of
each type of oil, and contains a blend of both castor and synthetic oils to help offer
maximum protection for the nitro engine under many different
conditions.