With proper glow engine maintenance, you will get maximum power and longevity from it. This care should start on the day you take it home. When you purchase your engine, they usually come with allen wrenches to loosen and tighten the screws, keep these in a safe place. If you do lose one, make sure you get another that is the right size.

Maintenance Check

A glow engine maintenance check often begins with the removal of the engines back plate and a check inside the crankcase for metal shavings and other debris. You will also want to remove the head and check the combustion chamber.

Then squirt 3-in-1 oil into the engine and turn the engine over. Lubricate the bearings and the conrod bushings. Check to make sure the ports in the sleeve match the ports that have been cast or machined in the case.

Now, reassemble the engine and tighten the screws in a criss-crossing pattern. Do not use Loctite or any other thread-locking compound on the case screws or head screws. It is not required and will hamper future maintenance efforts. If you use it, you might end up stripping the threads in the screw holes.

Never force any part that won't go on or move easily. An engine is mostly made of aluminum, and they are very easy to strip the screw hole threads. To tighten the prop nut, always use a wrench of the proper size, NEVER USE VISE GRIPS OR PLIERS. A 6 inch adjustable wrench is a handy tool to carry in your field box.

After Flight Checklist

• Drain all the fuel out of the tank.
• Run the engine until all fuel is out and take is completely dry.
• Squirt some after-run oil to coat the inside surfaces of the engine. If you don't, your engine will corrode.
• As long as you follow the steps on this page, your engine will stay in great shape and last you for years to come.

Recommended Books

If you want a good beginner book on the subject of 2-Stroke glow engine maintenance, then I recommend this book. Very informative and helpful in fixing your engines.